GLASGOW, Scotland, CMC-Bahamian Devynne Charlton broke her world record in the women’s 60-meter hurdles. At the same time, Dominica’s Thea LaFond captured a historic gold in the triple jump to headline the final day of the World Indoor Championships here on Sunday.
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 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.
“My goal going into it was to execute, and I did that. I knew I had that kind of time in me; it was just about putting my race together on the day.
“[Today] was mainly about the gold. I was sharing the World record—I wouldn’t say I liked 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 afterward.
Fellow Bahamian Charisma Taylor finished sixth in a time of 7.92.
Charlton had earlier 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 meters to beat 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 afterward.
“I’m proud to have done what I did, I’m proud of Aaron [Gadson], and I – Aaron is my coach and husband – and I’m so pleased to be from that small beautiful country, [that] powerful country in the Caribbean.
“I’m so grateful, and I hope that today was just an inspiration, [I hope] that today brought joy to my people.”
She continued: “I want them to know how much I love and appreciate them. I want my DOC and my DAA to know how much I’m grateful and how grateful I am for their love, their support [and] even their prayers – the people that reach out and push me a little bit.
“This will hit at 2 a.m., and I’ll likely sob in my pajamas.
Taylor (14.11) and Jamaican Kimberly Williams (14.07) produced season-bests but finished outside the medals.
and then 