Auburn junior Ja'Kobe Tharp shattered the 110m hurdles world record at the NCAA championships in Eugene, Oregon. Running 12.75 seconds in the semifinal, he eclipsed Aries Merritt's long‑standing 12.80 mark from 2012. The feat unfolded on Hayward Field, marking the first world record at the meet since Dwight Stones' high‑jump record five decades ago.

Tharp, the defending champion, said his preparation focused on “deloading” to peak for Eugene, allowing him to trim .26 seconds off his previous personal best of 13.01. He described the run as “speechless,” adding he simply trusted the speed he felt in his legs. The semifinal win secures his lane in Friday’s championship final.

The record thrust Auburn into the national spotlight and gives the Tigers a marquee athlete heading into the final, where a title could cement Tharp’s legacy beyond the record books. His performance also reshapes the NCAA sprint‑hurdle narrative, forcing rivals to recalibrate their training to chase a sub‑13 barrier that now seems attainable.

Coaches across the country will study Tharp’s blend of speed, technique and race‑day confidence, while sponsors eye a marketable star poised for Olympic contention. Auburn’s recruiting pitch now features a world‑record holder, likely boosting future class rankings. Regardless of Friday’s outcome, Tharp’s 12.75‑second dash has already rewritten the benchmark for collegiate hurdlers.