Latest news with #hurdles
CBC
05-07-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Canada's Savannah Sutherland is moving fast and breaking records
For the last year, Savannah Sutherland has been moving fast and breaking records. But for the next week, the 21-year-old hurdles phenom is taking a well-deserved break from preparing for Canadian nationals and the world championships. She's in her hometown of Borden, Sask., spending time with her family – and working on a new role. "I'm an aunt as of February," Sutherland told CBC Sports. "My nephew [is] about five months old now, so that's really special to me. Family is huge to me." It marks a slower pace than Sutherland had been operating at for the past year. That started with her Olympic debut last summer in Paris and wrapped up with a spectacular performance to end her collegiate career with the University of Michigan at last month's NCAA outdoor championships. Sutherland captured her second NCAA title in the women's 400-metre hurdles by running a record-breaking time of 52.46 seconds at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Not only did she better her own Canadian record (53.08), it was also an NCAA Championship meet record, a Big Ten record, and a new NCAA record. It was also the ninth-fastest time ever recorded in the event. The previous NCAA best of 52.75 was set in 2018 by two-time Olympic champ – and current world No. 1 – Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Sutherland and McLaughlin-Levrone are the only women's runners in NCAA history to break 53 seconds, and the Canadian is still coming to terms with being in such exclusive company. "Obviously, Sydney's the greatest to ever do it, so, it's kind of surreal to just have my name mentioned in the same conversations as hers, honestly," Sutherland said. "I don't think that that will ever fully sink in." Sutherland has already shared the track with McLaughlin-Levrone, when the Canadian reached the final in her Olympic debut, finishing seventh. That race marked another record-book moment for Sutherland, becoming the youngest-ever Canadian to reach an Olympic track final. Records aside, making that final opened Sutherland's eyes to her own growing potential. "I think making the Olympic final last season really boosted my confidence," Sutherland said. "I think that that was the big difference this season, just knowing that the ceiling is higher than I expected it to be." "When I made the Paris Olympics, it sent the message to me that, today, no matter who's on the track, I belong there, I've earned my spot there because I've competed at the highest level. But now that I'm ninth all-time – typically there's nine lanes on the track – so now it's like whoever's on the track, I have earned my spot there." Not long after breaking McLaughlin-Levrone's record, Sutherland was named the NCAA's women's outdoor track athlete of the year. That made her Michigan's first athlete to ever earn a national honour in track and field. "Michigan is definitely more of a distance [running] school, historically," she said. "You know, Saskatchewan isn't really a big track place either. So, I kind of have always been from a place where maybe it was a little bit more difficult, or maybe you had to work a little harder, drive a little farther, or compete indoors for a longer amount of time, than other places. "So [I] just kind of leaned into that and it kind of felt familiar in that sense." WATCH | Sutherland on NCAA record, going pro ahead of Tokyo worlds: Savannah Sutherland on NCAA record, going pro ahead of Tokyo worlds 2 days ago Duration 7:36 Hometown support 'pushed me to the next level' Sutherland grew up in the village of Borden, which is about 50 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. The population only numbers about 300 and Sutherland credits the "tight-knit community" with helping her get to where she is today. "Everybody knows everything that goes on in each other's life – which can be both a blessing and a curse at times – [but] for me it was mostly a blessing because I always had the support of the entire community behind me," Sutherland said. "I think that it was a driving factor because it pushed me to want to represent these people that I know are supporting me. I think it just pushed me to the next level, knowing that I was running for everybody else and accomplishing all of these things for the entire community and not just myself." While she was aware of track and field sports from small meets in elementary school, Sutherland really took the first steps in her career by following in the footsteps of her older brother, Cole. "He's five years older than me, and I really looked up to him and was chasing after him in a lot of aspects," Sutherland said. "So, I would find myself enrolled in the sports that he was passionate about. I did volleyball as a result of that, then he also did track and ended up winning provincials one year as a discus thrower. "And I said, 'hey, that's pretty cool. I want to try and do that.'" It was at a high school track meet in 2016 where a coach from a neighbouring town noticed Sutherland's raw talent and approached her with an offer. "[He] said, you know, 'hey, you're pretty fast. You should check out this track camp in the summer.' And I did, and then it ended up being selections for Team Saskatchewan," she said. "I ended up going and being selected for U16 nationals and doing the [100], the [200], the [300], and then both relays." The 13-year-old Sutherland made the final in the 100 at that event, but was mostly memorable for her because it was when she bought her first pair of track spikes and learned how to use the starting blocks. Sutherland wasn't immediately drawn to the event she's now known for, but her talent was undeniable. "Yeah, hurdles in general was something that I didn't really want to do," she said with a laugh. "First, my coach [Lee Wolfater] told me to just check it out. So, I was very hesitant. "He said, 'we'll do it for two meets. And if it goes horribly, you never have to see a hurdle ever again in your life.'" Sutherland won both of those races in Saskatoon and would see many, many hurdles again, as she began to specialize in the 400m hurdles. It wasn't long until both Sutherland siblings made their mark in Saskatchewan track and field, evidence of which is still visible in their high school gymnasium. "Now it's funny because our provincial banners are hanging next to each other on the wall of the gym," she said. "That's pretty special. I would definitely say [my brother was] the driving factor." Her brother and parents still live in Borden, but Sutherland has a tangible connection to her family when she runs, in the form of a silver St. Christopher necklace. That "lucky necklace" is around Sutherland's neck every time she races, and she said it serves as a reminder of why she competes. "I look at it every time I'm in the blocks and just remind myself who I'm running for and why I'm doing what I do." World championships on the horizon Sutherland's 2025 season will continue with a few more meets, including Canadian nationals, before culminating with September's world championships in Tokyo, where her goal is clear. "Honestly, [I'm] trying to keep my expectations low. [The] first thing is to make the final like I did last year," she said. "It's a super competitive event, right now and I feel like anything can happen, especially when there's hurdles involved. So I'm just kind of trying to keep my head on straight and hopefully finish higher than I did last year. "Just as long as I'm making forward progress, I think that's enough for me."
National Post
25-06-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Sprinter has huge wardrobe malfunction, nearly sets personal best
A little thing like shame wasn't going to slow down Chris Robinson in his quest for hurdles glory. Article content The American sprinter suffered a shocking wardrobe malfunction during the 400-metre hurdles race on Tuesday at the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in Czechia. Article content Article content Robinson was forced to spend most of the race trying to keep himself in check after seemingly forgetting to wear underwear to the competition. Article content During the race, Robinson's private parts became fully exposed – on multiple occasions – as the athlete repeatedly had to adjust his shorts to cover up while in mid-stride at top speed. Article content Article content Jumping over hurdles along the way obviously didn't help the situation, either. Article content Article content Eventually, Robinson gave up on trying to cover up and focused on the finish line, coming in first place in the race. He bested Brazil's Matheus Lima by a mere .06 seconds for the victory. Article content Incredibly, it didn't slow him down at all – it nearly made him quicker than he ever has been: Robinson's mark of 48.05 seconds was just one-tenth of a second slower than his personal best. Article content As he crossed the finish line, Robinson – who is nicknamed 'The Anomaly' — somersaulted onto the track before having a laugh about what had just transpired. Article content Some on social media were quick to poke fun at Robinson's unfortunate mishap. Article content 'Doping … running with three legs,' another joked.
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Hurdler suffers very embarrassing wardrobe malfunction as privates are exposed during race… but he still wins
A HURDLER suffered a shocking wardrobe malfunction en route to winning a 400m race. American Craig Robinson was competing at the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in Czechia on Tuesday. 4 4 4 4 However, the 24-year-old had a colossal balls-up mid race after his manhood became exposed as he bolted towards the line. Robinson attempted to adjust his shorts on multiple occasions as he jumped over the hurdles to avoid further embarrassment. He eventually gave up his futile attempts to cover up and focused on finishing the race. Robinson eventually broke the tape in 48.05 seconds. He rolled into a somersault before laying on the track with a smile. Despite his wardrobe malfunction, Robinson's time was just one-tenth off of his personal best and stands as his best time of the season. Robinson finished six hundredths ahead of Brazilian Matheus Lima. Third place was Czech native Vit Muller with a time of 48.41 seconds. Earlier this year, Robinson was part of a team that won gold in the 4x400m mixed relay at the 2025 World Relay Championships in Guangzhou, China. Elsewhere in Czechia, 17-year-old Gout Gout - dubbed the "next Bolt" - broke his own 200m national record with a stunning run of 20.02 seconds on his senior European debut. 'Next Usain Bolt' Gout Gout, 17, runs blistering sub-10sec 100m twice in same day Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis was also in action, clearing 6.13m but failing to break 6.29m - which would have been a new world record just nine days after he set the latest one at 6.28m.
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Olympic hurdler King retires from athletics
Olympic hurdler David King has retired from 31-year-old six-time British champion from Plymouth reached the semi-finals of the 110m hurdles at the delayed 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. He reached the final of the 2022 World Indoor Championships, having drawn lots after recording an identical time to Japan's Shusei Nomoto in the semi-final. King also raced at three European Championships, represented England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Championships."I guess it's time to say it. I'm officially retired from athletics," King, who is now based in Arizona, wrote on his LinkedIn page. , external"Track and field has been my world for over a decade. "It's now been nearly a year since my last race," he added."After last season, I was certain it was time to step away, and this time away has only reinforced that decision."I'm incredibly proud of all I've accomplished, and I am so excited that the rest of my life has begun."
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Savannah Sutherland lowers NCAA and Canadian women's 400m hurdles marks in 4-record effort
Savannah Sutherland's performance Saturday for the University of Michigan was nearly 3-10ths of a second faster than U.S. Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's collegiate record of 52.75. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images via Reuters - image credit) University of Michigan hurdler Savannah Sutherland of Borden, Sask., set four records Saturday on the final day of competition at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships in Eugene, Ore. The 21-year-old achieved marks for her school, NCAA, NCAA Championship meet and Canada, crossing the finish line in 52.46 seconds to beat Akala Garrett (54.66) of Texas. Sutherland's previous national record time of 53.26 stood since last June 8. Advertisement Saturday's performance was nearly 3-10ths of a second faster than U.S. Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's collegiate record of 52.75. Sutherland and McLaughlin-Levrone are the only women's runners in NCAA history to break 53 seconds. Sutherland, who placed seventh in the Paris Olympic final last Aug. 8, also tied world champion Femke Bol for the world lead this season, behind only McLaughlin-Levrone (52.07). On Friday, Sutherland started strong and maintained her lead throughout the race, extending her advantage in the one-lap race with each clearing of the 10 hurdles, for her third consecutive top-two finish in the event at NCAA Championships. She finished fourth in her 2022 freshman year. Advertisement On May 18, Sutherland won her third straight title at the Big Ten Championships in Eugene, taking each round by over two seconds. The top-ranked NCAA athlete in women's 400m hurdles made history last summer in Paris. At 21, Sutherland was the youngest member of the Canadian track and field team to reach an individual Olympic final and Canada's first woman to reach a 400m hurdles final since the 1996 Atlanta Games.
