Kingdom Sets World Record in Hurdles

Two-time Olympic champion Roger Kingdom of the United States set a world record of 12.92 seconds in the men’s 110-meter high hurdles today, knocking one-hundredth of a second off the 1981 mark set by countryman Renaldo Nehemiah.

Kingdom, who pledged to break the record this year after winning the world indoor crown in Budapest, was immediately mobbed by his jubilant rivals, including British Olympic silver medalist Colin Jackson and world champion Greg Foster.

Jackson was second in 13.12 with Foster a disappointing fifth in 13.26. Former world indoor champion Tonie Campbell of the United States came third in 13.23.

Nehemiah was to have competed but withdrew hours before the start after a row with the promoter over money.

“I was second or third out of the blocks but I took control of the race from the third hurdle,” an ecstatic Kingdom said.

“I started to pull away between the third and sixth barrier, I hit the sixth but I took off again.”

Kingdom paid glowing tribute to those who had pushed him to the record, saying: “This was the toughest field I have ever had to face.”

Earlier Carl Lewis, double gold medalist in the Seoul Games, swept to emphatic victory in a 100 meters race.

Lewis, a strong favorite with the Zurich crowd, powered home after another of his customary bad starts. He trailed compatriot Dennis Mitchell for fully 70 meters before driving through to turn what looked like being a crushing defeat into majestic victory.

Lewis won in 10.08 seconds with Mitchell second in 10.14 and another rising American sprint sensation, Leroy Burrell, third in 10.19.