Susanna Kallur powers to the world indoor 60m hurdles record in Karlsruhe in 2008 (© AFP / Getty Images)
Sweden’s European indoor and outdoor sprint hurdles champion Susanna Kallur sped to a world indoor 60m hurdles record* of 7.68 at today’s Karlsruhe BW Meeting, an IAAF Indoor Permit meeting.
A feeling of “world record” was in the air all week before the the Karlsruhe meeting, as Sweden’s Kallur and Cuba's Dayron Robles both had shown they were in range of historical performances in their respective hurdle events.
It was Kallur who took the spotlight this afternoon, with a 7.68 clocking which erased the 7.69 world indoor standard set by Ludmila Engquist, then running as Ludmila Narozhilenko of the Soviet Union, in a 1990 competition in Chelyabinsk.
Behind Kallur was LoLo Jones of the US, who recorded a 7.77 PB to become the second-best indoor hurdler from that country. Only Gail Devers, at 7.74, has run faster.
Kallur came out of the blocks well, and she took a perceptible lead right at the first barrier. Her computer-perfect form clipped off the remaining four hurdles faster than anyone before, and one of the oldest track world records on the books finally tumbled.
Although never really in range of an upset, Jones still stayed close to the Swede throughout and moved into the number-nine position of all time in the event with her splendid performance.
Damu Cherry of the US finished third at 7.89.
Ed Gordon for the IAAF
*World indoor record subject to the usual ratification procedures
