Wayne Davis of USA on his way to gold in the 110m Hurdles final (© Getty Images)
Ostrava, Czech Republic 15yearold Wayne Davis of the USA set the all time World Youth best time as he stormed through the finish line in the Boys’ 110m Hurdles clocking a phenomenal 13.18.
Davis improved on the previous standard set by Greece’s Konstantinos Douvalidis in 2004 by four hundredths of a second and also erased World champion Ladj Doucouré Championship record of 13.26 which had stood since the inaugural edition of this competition eight years ago!
Davis was the fastest out of the blocks and one could already tell by the way he attacked the first hurdle that his race was going to be something special. He left team-mate pre-event favourite and World Youth leader William Wynne trailing way back with the rest of the field another couple of metres behind.
Scary being in front alone
“I wanted to start fast because I knew William is strong and has a better finish,” said a delighted Davis. “I thought he was going to catch up with me but when I didn’t feel him close to me it felt strange. It was really scary being in front all alone.”
Although Davis hit the eighth barrier and was slightly unbalanced clearing the ninth he did not falter and crossed the finish line a massive 26 hundredths of a second clear of his older compatriot.
“I have been working really hard on my start for the last few years. I know that my start is so good that it can carry me through the entire race. My weakness is the end but today I felt relaxed in the last part of the race.”
Trinidadian origins
A native of Raleigh, North Carolina Davis has origins in Trinidad and Tobago where both his parents were born and his grandparents and most of his relatives still live.
His parents met when they were studying at University in North Carolina and never went back although the family travels to Trinidad “every other winter to spend Christmas there.”
The Davis family has quite a sporting tradition with Wayne senior, the dad, being a former Under-18 international soccer player for Trinidad. Danielle, the younger sister who just turned 14 is also a track athlete her specialist events being the 100m and 400m Hurdles.
“She hopes to compete in the next World Youth Championships,” said Davis.
An aficionado of the sprint hurdles, Davis recounted how he fell in love with the event when watching Allen Johnson’s win the 1996 Atlanta Games on television.
“I was only five at the time but I remember very well. I didn’t know the names of the athletes or anything but when I saw that race I said that’s what I want to do.”
It took him another three years to get his first track experience.
“I was eight when I started athletics. I wanted to jump the hurdles but I was too young and too small. I had to wait a little longer before I could try it.”
Davis, who will turn 16 on 22 August, said that although it was Johnson’s race that inspired him in the beginning it is China’s World record holder Liu Xiang who he looks up to.
“Johnson has won a lot but I like the way Liu Xiang came out of no where and beat all those older guy. He holds the World Junior record at 13.12 and has been progressing since he was a youth, just like me.”
“Technique wise I think he is the best in the world. I watch all his races on the Internet and study them very carefully.”
Davis’ time of 13.18 was run with the 0.91 high hurdles but the American has no fear to step up to the senior high hurdles at 1.06m.
“My PB on the high hurdles is 13.65. I think I can improve it to around 13.4 already this year. I am never satisfied. I always want more and more. Today I really wanted to get the record and I thought I could have run 12.9 but over the ninth hurdle my trail leg went too wide and that slowed me down.”
Hurdles First
Davis is part of the “Hurdles First” club in Raleigh where he trains two times a day, seven days a week under the guidance of Steve McGill. He was promised he will be bought a car by his father if he managed to win gold.
“I would like a Mercedes but whatever he buys me will be cool. I just want a car so I can get around,” he smiled.
Davis’ schedule for the rest of the year includes participation at the Junior Olympics at the end of July in Walnut, California where he hopes he will improve on his time.
“I am sure I could PR again if I had another race tomorrow!”
Davis admitted he came to Ostrava with no real expectation so as to not put too much pressure on him and ran with all his heart. A future Psychology or Physical Therapy student Davis is also an accomplished gymnast and when asked if he could do a series of back flips to celebrate his gold he smiled:
“Maybe not 10 but I could easily do 5 back flips. I practice them in my back yard, just to have fun!”
Laura Arcoleo for the IAAF
