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Masai Russell ran the second-fastest 100m hurdles ever, but questions remain about her chances of breaking the world record.
Six days ago, Masai Russell stunned the track world by running 12.17 seconds in the 100m hurdles — the second-fastest time in history — at the Grand Slam Track Miami meet.
While the time puts her within striking distance of Tobi Amusan’s 12.12 world record, there are valid reasons why Russell is still not considered the favorite to break it anytime soon.
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Pulse Sports looks at three key factors that may hold her back from etching her name into the record books.
1. One Race Doesn’t Define Consistency
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Russell’s 12.17 was sensational — but it was also an outlier. Before Miami, her personal best was 12.25, set at the U.S. Olympic Trials. She has had flashes of brilliance, but there has not yet been a consistent string of elite-level performances around or below the 12.20 mark.
In contrast, world-record holder Tobi Amusan had a dominant 2022 season with multiple sub-12.30 performances leading into her record-breaking run at the World Championships.
For Russell, the question remains: can she repeat or build on Miami’s performance under championship pressure, and without the advantage of a perfect tailwind? Until she proves she can consistently clock times in the 12.10s or low 12.20s, skepticism about her ability to break the world record will linger.
2. Inexperience on the Global Stage
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Russell, 24, is a relative newcomer to global championship success. She failed to make the final at the 2023 World Championships after hitting a hurdle in the semifinal, a mistake that highlights the pressure and unpredictability of top-tier races.
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Although she rebounded strongly to win Olympic gold in 2024, the road to becoming a consistent record-breaking threat often requires multiple years of high-level experience and refinement.
Athletes like Keni Harrison and Amusan took years of international racing to mature into record chasers. Russell is just beginning that journey.
Her ability to stay composed in varying conditions, travel schedules, and media pressure will be tested over the rest of the Grand Slam Track series and the coming championship season.
3. External Conditions Will Only Get Tougher
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Russell’s near-record time came with a perfectly legal 2.0 m/s tailwind — the maximum allowed for record purposes.
Such ideal wind conditions are rare and not guaranteed, especially at major meets like the Olympics or World Championships, where timing, weather, and pressure do not always align. The track in Miami was also reportedly fast, and the setting, a non-championship series, allowed athletes to race freely without the same weight of expectation.
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Future races — particularly at altitude, in cooler weather, or under heavy championship scrutiny — may not offer the same favorable conditions. A world record typically demands both an extraordinary performance and near-perfect external factors. Russell will need to rise above these variables, not rely on them.
Masai Russell is undeniably one of the most exciting hurdlers on the planet. Her explosive improvement and self-belief — “I continue to say I’m one of the best hurdlers ever,” she boldly declared — make her a thrilling watch as NBC Sport.
But until she shows consistency, conquers championship nerves, and proves she can deliver without the help of ideal wind or a fast track, the world record may remain just out of reach. For now, she is not the favorite — but she is closer than most.
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