Early-Season Setbacks
Cordell Tinch kicked off 2025 with high expectations after clocking a personal best of 12.87 seconds in Shanghai. Yet a disappointing outing at the Rome Diamond League—where Swiss hurdler Jason Joseph edged him out by a lean—left Tinch questioning his form and resilience.
FBK Games Redemption
On June 9 at the FBK Games in Hengelo, Tinch erupted off the blocks to clinch the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.10 seconds. His flawless hurdle technique left 2016 Olympic champion Omar McLeod trailing by over two-tenths of a second, reasserting Tinch’s status as a rising force.
Season Record: Highs and Lows
This victory marked Tinch’s fifth outdoor win of the season and followed his world-leading 13.06 in Xiamen, where he upset Grant Holloway. Despite that triumph, his performance in Rome underscored the razor-thin margins in elite hurdles competition.
A Remarkable Journey
Just a few years ago, Tinch was selling phones and stepping away from a football scholarship. After reigniting his passion at a Division II program, he turned pro in 2024, overcoming mid-season surgery and narrowly missing the U.S. Olympic team.
Tokyo World Championships in Sight
With the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo on the horizon, Tinch’s Hengelo triumph signals he’s peaking at the perfect moment. If he maintains this momentum, the former cellphone salesman could soon be challenging the world’s best on the biggest stage.