News31 Dec 2014


Three world indoor hurdles champions set to clash in Birmingham

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Dayron Robles and Aries Merritt in action in the 60m hurdles at the Birmingham Indoor Grand Prix (© Getty Images)

The past three winners of the world indoor 60m hurdles title will line up against each other on 21 February at the Sainsbury’s Indoor Grand Prix, an IAAF Indoor Permit meeting.

USA’s Aries Merritt will be up against Cuba’s Dayron Robles, the man he succeeded as Olympic champion and world record-holder. USA’s Omo Osaghae, the reigning world indoor champion, is also in the field alongside Britain’s European and Commonwealth silver medallist William Sharman.

“The Sainsbury’s Indoor Grand Prix is an important meet for me in preparation for my main goal of the World Championships in the summer,” said Merritt, who clocked a world 110m hurdles record of 12.80 in 2012. “I’m hoping to go there and find my best form to put on a good show for the fans. Birmingham is one of my favourite places to compete, the crowd is great and this event always gets the best out of the athletes.”

Robles won at this event in 2010 and is the second-fastest man ever over 60m hurdles with a best of 7.33. “The Sainsbury’s Indoor Grand Prix is one of the best indoor meetings in the world and I have great memories from competing at this event in 2010 and 2012,” he said. “I’m sure that it will be amazing again in February.”

After finishing seventh at the 2014 World Indoor Championships with a personal best of 7.53, Sharman is hoping to continue his impressive form into 2015 when he makes his first appearance for eight years at this meeting

“I always enjoy competing in Birmingham,” he said. “It will be such a strong line-up that it could easily be a global final and I’m excited about testing myself against the best in the world ahead of the European Indoor Championships.”

Other top names already confirmed for the 2015 Sainsbury’s Indoor Grand Prix include double Olympic, world and European champion Mo Farah, former world 100m champion Carmelita Jeter, double world silver medallist Murielle Ahoure, and European 100m champion James Dasaolu.

Organisers for the IAAF