Defending champion Devynne Charlton, Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent, and Amoi Brown have all secured spots in the final of the women’s 60m hurdles at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, following semi-final performances on Sunday. Brown, despite finishing fourth in her heat with 7.96, advanced as a non-automatic qualifier.

Charlton, the Bahamian star and world record holder in the event, produced a season-best 7.82 seconds to finish second in her semi-final behind the Netherlands' Nadine Visser, who clocked 7.81 for the win. Nugent, the 2024 NCAA champion, endured a bumpy ride through her race. After hitting the second hurdle and crashing through the final one, she somehow managed to stay upright and cross the line in 8.00 seconds, finishing second behind Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska, who won in a season-best 7.79.

However, it was disappointment for the other Caribbean representatives. Denisha Cartwright of the Bahamas, who got a brilliant start in the third semi-final, faded badly over the final hurdles and finished in 8.08, missing out on the final. Aasia Laurencin of St Lucia was eighth in the second semi-final in 8.60 and did not advance.

Advancing alongside Charlton and Nugent is American Grace Stark, who continues her impressive run in Nanjing. After setting a personal best in the heats, Stark lowered her time again in the semi-finals to 7.72, the fastest of the round. World leader and European champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland also cruised through in 7.76, keeping her bid for a first world indoor title on track. Her sister Mujinga Kambundji won the women’s 60m dash on Saturday, and the Swiss siblings could yet leave Nanjing with a historic sprint double.

The final promises a thrilling showdown as the world’s fastest women over the barriers prepare to clash for indoor gold.

Photos: World Athletics