Auburn University student Ja’Kobe Tharp set a new world record in the 110m hurdles on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, clocking 12.75 seconds during the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon. The 20-year-old athlete surpassed the previous world record of 12.80 seconds, a mark held by Aries Merritt since September 2012.
A Historic Performance in Eugene
The record-breaking run occurred during the heats at the National Collegiate Athletic Association event. By finishing in 12.75 seconds, Tharp shaved 0.05 seconds off the time established by Merritt in Brussels nearly 14 years ago, according to World Athletics. This achievement marks the first time in 50 years that an athlete has set a world record at the NCAA Championships, as reported by the BBC.
The NCAA Championships, held at Hayward Field in Eugene, are widely considered the premier showcase for collegiate track and field talent in the United States. The venue is frequently used for national and international championships, providing a fast track surface that often facilitates record-breaking performances. Tharp’s performance in the preliminary heat allows him to advance directly to the semi-finals and finals, where he will attempt to secure the national title.
Tharp, who entered the meet with a personal best of 13.01 seconds, described the result as unexpected. “I knew I was ready to drop something crazy,” Tharp told reporters. “I knew what I was capable of, but I didn’t know about that. It wasn’t on my bingo chart for this meet, not at all. I’m speechless, seriously.”
Tharp’s Rapid Professional Ascent
The 20-year-old hurdler has maintained a streak of success leading up to this record. His 2024 season included winning the world U20 title, followed by victories in both the NCAA indoor and outdoor championships in 2025. During the current year, Tharp has remained undefeated in individual races. In March, he successfully defended his NCAA indoor title with a world-leading time of 7.32 seconds, a performance that placed him third on the world all-time list.
Tharp’s trajectory has been marked by steady improvement since his win at the US Championships last year. After that victory, he finished sixth in the final of the World Championships. His current 12.75-second run is subject to the standard ratification procedures required for world records. These procedures involve a rigorous review by World Athletics, including verification of the timing system, wind gauge readings, and drug testing protocols, which are mandatory for any mark to be recognized officially in the record books.
Historical Context and Upcoming Competition
The previous collegiate record of 12.98 seconds was set by Grant Holloway in 2019. Tharp is now positioned to attempt a repeat of Holloway’s feat by winning a second consecutive NCAA title. The final for the 110m hurdles is scheduled for Friday, June 12, 2026.
| Record Holder | Time | Year Set |
|---|---|---|
| Ja’Kobe Tharp | 12.75 | 2026 |
| Aries Merritt | 12.80 | 2012 |
| Grant Holloway (Collegiate) | 12.98 | 2019 |
As the final approaches, Tharp carries the momentum of a perfect season on the US collegiate circuit. While he arrived in Eugene aiming to improve upon his 13.01 personal best, his performance in the heats has now shifted expectations for the upcoming final. The NCAA Championships serve as a critical checkpoint for athletes aiming to qualify for international teams, and Tharp’s performance places him as a frontrunner for upcoming global competition cycles. His role within the Auburn track and field program has been pivotal, contributing significant points toward the team’s overall standing in the meet, where individual event success directly correlates to the institution’s total point tally in the championship race.
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