Charlton smashes world record, LaFond lands historic gold
Bahamian Devynne Charlton broke her world record in the women’s 60 metres hurdles as Thea LaFond captured a historic gold for Dominica in the triple jump to headline the final day of the World Athletics Indoor Championships yesterday.
The 28-year-old Charlton, fourth at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, sped to a time of 7.65 seconds to win gold while shaving two-hundredths of a second off the mark she set in New York only last month.
France’s Cyréna Samba-Mayela took silver in a time of 7.74, while Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska clinched bronze in 7.79.
“It felt like [the perfect race]. I drew a blank on that one, so I can’t tell you what happened,” Charlton said.
“The thought going into it was just to execute, and I think I did that. I knew I had that kind of time in me, and it was just about putting my race together on the day.
“[Today] was mainly about the gold. I was sharing the world record – didn’t like that too much – so the second goal was to lower it, but if I came away with the gold medal, it would’ve been enough for me.
“It feels amazing. I can’t wait to get home and celebrate this.”
Running out of lane four, Charlton burst from the blocks to establish a healthy lead by mid-race, and there was never any doubt over the outcome afterwards.
Fellow Bahamian Charisma Taylor finished sixth in a time of 7.92.
Charlton had previously captured her semi-final in 7.72, but there was disappointment for Jamaican Megan Tapper, who finished third in the third heat to miss out on the final.
Meanwhile, the 29-year-old LaFond repeated the heroics of St Lucian Julien Alfred from 24 hours earlier when she delivered Dominica’s first-ever medal at a global track and field meet.
She unleashed a world-leading second-round leap of 15.01 metres to get the better of Cuban Leyanis Pérez Hernández (14.90) and Spaniard Ana Peleteiro (14.75).
“At some point, it’s going to hit [me], and I think right now I’m just really, really proud,” an overwhelmed Lafond told reporters afterwards.
Taylor, with 14.11 metres and Jamaican Kimberly Williams, with 14.07, produced season-bests but finished outside the medals.