Russell 0.02s Off World Record, Yan Throws 71.74m

Olympic champion Masai Russell came within two hundredths of a second of the women’s 100m hurdles world record at the Xiamen Diamond League on Saturday, while 18-year-old Chinese javelin thrower Yan Ziyi produced the second longest throw in history with the current specification javelin. Russell clocked 12.14 seconds, a new United States record and the second fastest time ever, trailing only Tobi Amusan’s world record of 12.12 seconds set in 2022. Amusan finished second in 12.28 seconds, with Devynne Charlton third in a Bahamian record of 12.37 seconds.

“I don’t know when the world record is going to come but I keep getting closer and closer,” Russell said. “I’m blessed, I’m ecstatic and all the hard work is truly showing.” The American, who became the world’s second fastest woman in the event last year with a time of 12.17 seconds, said she had overcome self-doubt and was focused on consistent performances this season.

Yan Ziyi, who turned 18 on Friday, set an under-20 world record with her first throw of 71.74 meters, falling just short of Barbora Špotáková’s world record of 72.28 meters from 2008. Yan did not throw again and won comfortably, with Norway’s Sigrid Borge second...