⚡ LIVE
🔴 BREAKING: Transfer window heats up across Europe Champions League quarter-final draw confirmed Premier League title race goes to the wire BREAKING: Manager sacked after fifth consecutive defeat VAR controversy dominates post-match analysis again Test cricket delivers another dramatic finish 🔴 BREAKING: Transfer window heats up across Europe Champions League quarter-final draw confirmed Premier League title race goes to the wire BREAKING: Manager sacked after fifth consecutive defeat VAR controversy dominates post-match analysis again Test cricket delivers another dramatic finish
SPORTAUTOPSY
WE PUT THE BODY ON THE SLAB
SPORTAUTOPSY
Football Tennis Cricket Basketball 🔴 Live Scores Fixtures Analysis Transfers Power Rankings Fraud or Legend Betting Guides

18+ ONLY. Please gamble responsibly.

NEWS
JM
Jack Mercer
Senior Editor · SportAutopsy · 11 Jun 2026, 13:00

Imagine running 110 metres while navigating 10 hurdles, all in under 13 seconds. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, but for 20-year-old Ja'Kobe Tharp, it's just another day at the office.

What Happened

Tharp's blistering time of 12.75sec at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships in Eugene, Oregon, has left the athletics world gobsmacked. The previous record, set by Aries Merritt in 2012, was 12.80sec - a seemingly insurmountable barrier that Tharp has now reduced to rubble. We can't help but wonder what Merritt's reaction was when he heard the news.

The Bigger Picture

This feat is all the more remarkable given that it's the first world record to be set at the NCAA championships since 1976. Yes, you read that right - 47 years. It's a testament to Tharp's remarkable talent and the fact that the NCAA is producing athletes who can compete with the very best. One can't help but think that this record will have a profound impact on the sport, inspiring a new generation of hurdlers to push the boundaries of human performance.

The Autopsy

So, what makes Tharp tick? For starters, his technique is impeccable. He seems to glide over the hurdles with ease, making it look like a Sunday stroll in the park. But let's not forget the likes of Merritt, who must be wondering what hit him. Tharp's record has thrown down the gauntlet, and we can't wait to see how the rest of the athletics world responds. Will Merritt try to reclaim his title, or will Tharp continue to dominate the 110m hurdles scene?

What Happens Next

With this record under his belt, Tharp is sure to be the man to beat at the upcoming athletics meets. We're bold enough to predict that he'll go on to break his own record - the question is, by how much? Will he dip under the 12.5sec mark, or will he continue to tease us with times just shy of the unthinkable? One thing's for certain - Ja'Kobe Tharp is the name on everyone's lips, and we can't wait to see what he does next. As the saying goes, 'you can't stop what's next' - and what's next for Tharp is nothing short of greatness.

What do you think?
Share this autopsy

Interested in betting on upcoming fixtures?
Our editorial team independently reviews the UK's top bookmakers — compare welcome offers and features. View our betting guides →

18+ only. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly.

NEWS

Luke and Luke scrape past Spain and admit they need to 'be better' — which is putting it politely

4 hours ago
NEWS

London Pulse arrive at Manchester Thunder's party with a handbag full of wrecking balls

6 hours ago
NEWS

The Knicks' hedonistic playoff run is the antidote DC didn't know it needed

15 hours ago
NEWS

Saffie Osborne is making Ryan Moore look like a part-timer and she's just getting started

18 hours ago
NEWS

Lewis Moody on MND: The hardest tackle of his life, and the one lesson he’s taking from it

18 hours ago
⚠️

18+ ONLY. Gambling can be addictive. Visit BeGambleAware.org. Affiliate links earn us a commission — editorial content is always independent.

EDITOR'S PICKS
TOP BETTING SITES
BET365
⚡ Live streaming king
🎁 £30 in free bets
READ REVIEW →
WILLIAM HILL
⚡ Best for horse racing
🎁 £30 welcome bonus
READ REVIEW →
BETWAY
⚡ Best for football
🎁 £30 welcome bonus
READ REVIEW →
Compare all sites →

18+ only. Gamble responsibly. T&Cs apply.