When Aasia Laurencin stepped onto the track at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, a week ago, she wasn’t just chasing a lane in the final of the 60m hurdles. She was carrying the flag of Saint Lucia, the lone athlete from the island after reigning world champion Julien Alfred opted not to defend her 60m title.
For Laurencin, the spotlight wasn’t intimidating—it was a moment she embraced with gratitude and purpose.
“I kind of wish there was somebody else repping the flag with me,” she admitted. “Like Julien, Michael Joseph, Naomi London, and all the other St. Lucian athletes—it’s always a great vibe when we’re together. But honestly, it was still just as much fun. The athlete's village was amazing, and I knew so many people from other teams, so I didn’t feel alone. I was proud to represent, and I know I’ll have my crew back with me during the outdoor season.”
And she did represent—boldly and unapologetically—even though things didn’t go to plan on the track.
Laurencin ran 8.06 seconds in her heat, finishing third and advancing to the semi-finals. But in that crucial race, disaster struck. A stumble over the first hurdle threw off her rhythm entirely, and she eventually crossed the line last in 8.60 seconds—a result that could have shattered her confidence.
Instead, she walked away with something more valuable: perspective.
“I had a good start, but you know—hurdles get in the way sometimes,” she said. “I hit the first hurdle hard and went all the way down. I tried to get back into it, but I hit my knee on the second one and that just threw everything off. I still have a cut and bruise on my knee from it, actually. But I’m really proud of how I stayed locked in mentally. I kept my composure through it all and made sure I gave it everything I had. That’s what I take away from Nanjing.”
That maturity is something she’s leaned into since her sixth-place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships, where she admits her mind wasn’t in the right place.
“I wasn’t really planning on getting sixth,” she said. “I wanted to win. But I just wasn’t having fun. I was overthinking, and my head was all over the place before the final. I’ve realized that I’m at my best when I’m just present and enjoying what I’m doing. This sport is something I love—it’s supposed to be fun. That’s what I felt in Nanjing, and even though I didn’t make the final, I ran better and I felt better. That’s a win to me.”
Now 23, Laurencin has completed her collegiate eligibility at the University of Michigan and is transitioning into life as a professional athlete. She plans to compete this season under the banner of her former high school club, Motor City Track Club, while finalizing representation and building her competition schedule.
“We’ve already got meets lined up through September,” she explained. “But since I had a heavy indoor season—18 races—we need to be smart about it. I don’t want to over-race or under-race. It’s about finding that sweet spot where I can stay sharp and be at my best when it really matters. I’ll probably open outdoors at the end of April or early May, then gradually ramp up into July and August before the World Championships in Tokyo.”
Technically, her focus remains on the start and those first few barriers.
“My start has always been the thing we’ve been working on,” she said. “Getting out clean, staying aggressive through the first two or three hurdles—that’s the key. Sometimes my head goes on autopilot at the start, but I’m learning to stay more aware. Once I get that first part of the race together, I know the rest will follow. My top-end speed is there. I know I can close hard. So if I can fix the beginning, the rest of the race is money.”
Despite a surge in global competition in the women’s sprint hurdles—from the Americans to the Jamaicans, the French, and standout Europeans like Ditaji Kambundji—Laurencin remains unfazed.
“I’ve been racing against some of these women since I was 13,” she said. “Grace Stark, all of them. Nothing about the depth of this event surprises me—we’ve always been this deep. It’s just now that the rest of the world is starting to notice. I’ve never shied away from competition. We all started in the same place. I know I belong.”
What makes Laurencin’s story even more powerful is her connection to the island she now proudly represents. Though she was born and raised in Michigan, her grandfather, Dennis Laurencin, was born and raised in St. Lucia before migrating to the United States. Aasia has been visiting the island since she was five and recently obtained her citizenship after years of trying.
“My dad was born in New York, but my grandfather lived in St. Lucia up until he was 18,” she explained. “We’ve been working on getting my citizenship for years—even before I started running competitively. So to finally be able to represent St. Lucia… it means everything. I’m so proud to wear that flag.”
Now, with her identity rooted, her mindset renewed, and her talent undeniable, Laurencin is poised for the next phase of her journey.
“I just want to keep having fun,” she said. “I love this sport. I love competing. And I know that if I stay in that headspace, everything else will fall into place.”