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Kendra Harrison
Kendra Harrison
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Kendra "Keni" Harrison (born September 18, 1992) is an American hurdler. Harrison held the world record in the women's 100 metres hurdles with a time of 12.20 seconds, set on July 22, 2016 at the London Müller Anniversary Games, breaking the previous world record of 12.21 seconds achieved nearly 28 years earlier by Bulgarian athlete Yordanka Donkova.

Key Information

In college, she competed for the University of Kentucky Wildcats and in 2015 she won NCAA championship titles both indoors and outdoors. She was runner-up in the 100 m hurdles at the 2015 USA Outdoor Championships; at the 2016 Olympic Trials she placed sixth because she tripped, and missed qualifying for the Olympics. Between the US trials and the Olympic Games, she broke the 28 year-old world record. Harrison won the 60 m hurdles at the 2018 World Indoor Championship and the 100 m hurdles at the 2018 NACAC Championships. She placed second in the 100 m hurdles at the 2019 World Championship, and at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held in 2021.

Career

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Early life

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Kendra Harrison was born in Tennessee on September 18, 1992, and adopted by Gary and Karon Harrison; she grew up in a large family with ten other children, eight of them also adopted.[1][2][3] Harrison's first sport was soccer; she took up track and field at Clayton High School in Clayton, North Carolina.[3] She soon became a leading scholastic hurdler, winning state championship titles at the 2010 and 2011 North Carolina Class 4A state meets; in 2011 she also won the 100 m hurdles at the New Balance Nationals and was named Gatorade North Carolina Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year.[4]

College athletics

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After graduating from Clayton High in 2011 Harrison went to Clemson University; as a freshman in 2012 she was Atlantic Coast Conference champion in the 400 m hurdles and the 4 × 400 m relay and qualified for the NCAA championships in both hurdles races.[5] She competed in the 2012 Olympic Trials in the 100 m hurdles but was eliminated in the heats.[5] In 2013, she placed fifth in the 100 m hurdles (12.88) and fourth in the 400 m hurdles (55.75) at the NCAA outdoor championships.[5][6]

Harrison transferred from Clemson to the University of Kentucky after the 2013 season, together with sprinter Dezerea Bryant and coach Tim Hall.[3] She continued to develop, winning both the 100 m hurdles (12.86) and the 400 m hurdles (54.76) at the 2014 Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships; she was the first athlete to win both events since 1999.[3] She entered the NCAA outdoor championships as the leading favorite and collegiate leader in the 400 m hurdles, but failed to match her personal best and lost to Texas A&M's Shamier Little; in the 100 m hurdles she placed fifth for the second consecutive year.[3][5][7]

Harrison injured her hamstring in the winter of 2014–15 and missed the early part of the 2015 indoor season.[8] She returned in time to win the 60 m hurdles at the SEC and NCAA indoor championships, setting personal bests in both meets; her time in the NCAA meet (7.87 seconds) ranked her fourth in the world that indoor season.[5] Harrison also won her first outdoor NCAA title in 2015, winning the 100 m hurdles in 12.55; in the 400 m hurdles she placed second to Little in a personal best 54.09, at that point the second-fastest in the world that year.[5][9]

In November 2015, Harrison was named as a 2016 recipient of the NCAA's Today's Top 10 Award, presented annually to 10 individuals who completed their athletic eligibility in the previous school year "for successes on the field, in the classroom and in the community."[10]

Professional

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Following her graduation, University of Kentucky coach Edrick Floréal continued to train her.[11] At the 2015 United States championships, which doubled as trials for the World Championships in Beijing, Harrison decided to concentrate on the 100 m hurdles only; she set a personal all-conditions best of 12.46w in the heats and ran a wind-legal 12.56 in the final, placing a close second to 2008 Olympic Champion Dawn Harper-Nelson and qualifying for the American team.[9] The Americans were heavy favorites for the world championships, but underperformed; Harrison had a false start in the semi-finals and was disqualified.[12]

Harrison opened her 2016 indoor season winning the 60 metres hurdles in Lexington, Kentucky, Karlsruhe, Germany and Glasgow in 7.92.[13] In a tightly competed race at the 2016 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships, Harrison took second place by one hundredth of a second to Brianna Rollins, setting a personal record of 7.77 seconds and moving herself into 13th place on the all-time lists.[14] At the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships one week later, Harrison led the qualifying with 7.81 seconds. However, in the final she hit the first hurdle heavily and never recovered, ending in eighth while Nia Ali (the least favoured American) took the title.[15][16]

She began the outdoor season in April with the fastest opener recorded by a hurdler, 12.36 seconds, to go up to ninth on the all-time lists.[17] A run of 12.42 followed at the start of May. Then at the Prefontaine Classic in late May she perfectly cleared all the hurdles and won in a time of 12.24 seconds – the second fastest time in history after Yordanka Donkova's world record of 12.21 from 1988.[18] She was favored to win the 100 m hurdles at the 2016 United States Olympic Trials in early July, but only placed sixth in 12.62 and missed qualifying for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro; the three spots on the American Olympic team went to Rollins, Kristi Castlin and Ali.[19]

Harrison broke the 100 m hurdles world record on July 22, 2016 at the London Müller Anniversary Games, running 12.20 (+0.3 m/s) to lower Donkova's mark by one one-hundredth of a second; Rollins, Castlin and Ali placed second, third and fourth in the race.[20][21] The trackside clock in the record race initially stopped at 12.58, the unadjusted time of runner-up Rollins, as Harrison ducked under the timing beam at the finish line.[22]

In 2021, Harrison finally qualified for her first Olympics. On August 2, 2021, she won the silver medal in the 100 meter hurdles at the 2020 Tokyo Games.[23]

Achievements

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Harrison (R) celebrates her 60 m hurdles victory at the 2018 World Indoor Championships held in Birmingham.

Circuit performances

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Grand Slam Track results[24]
Slam Race group Event Pl. Time Prize money
2025 Miami Slam Short hurdles 100 m hurdles 4th 12.40 US$20,000
100 m 3rd 11.35

Personal bests

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International competitions

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Representing the  United States
Year Competition Venue Position Event Time
2015 World Championships Beijing, China – (sf) 100 m hurdles DQ
2016 World Indoor Championships Portland, United States 8th 60 m hurdles 8.87
2017 World Championships London, United Kingdom 4th 100 m hurdles 12.74
2018 World Indoor Championships Birmingham, United Kingdom 1st 60 m hurdles 7.70
NACAC Championships Toronto, Canada 1st 100 m hurdles 12.55
IAAF Continental Cup Ostrava, Czech Republic 2nd 100 m hurdles 12.52
2019 World Championships Doha, Qatar 2nd 100 m hurdles 12.46
2021 Olympic Games Tokyo, Japan 2nd 100 m hurdles 12.52
2022 World Championships Eugene, OR, United States 2nd (sf) 100 m hurdles 12.271
2023 World Championships Budapest, Hungary 3rd 100 m hurdles 12.46

1Disqualified in the final

National titles

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Kendra "Keni" Harrison (born September 18, 1992, in Tennessee) is an American hurdler specializing in the 100 meters hurdles, renowned for setting the world record in the event with a time of 12.20 seconds at the 2016 London Diamond League meeting in London, England—a mark she held until 2022. Adopted shortly after birth by Gary and Karon Harrison, she grew up in a large family of 11 children (eight adopted) in Clayton, North Carolina, where she attended Clayton High School and initially competed in soccer and gymnastics before focusing on track and field. In 2011, she was named the Gatorade North Carolina Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Harrison began her collegiate career at Clemson University before transferring to the University of Kentucky, where she became a 13-time All-American and multiple conference champion (ACC and SEC), excelling in hurdles and sprints. Transitioning to professional athletics after college, Harrison quickly rose to prominence, equalling the American record in the 60 meters hurdles (7.70 seconds) at the 2018 World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, , where she claimed gold. She earned silver medals in the 100 meters hurdles at the 2019 World Championships in , , and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), finishing second to with a time of 12.52 seconds; she placed fourth at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, missing qualification for the Paris Olympics. In 2023, she added a bronze medal at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, clocking 12.24 seconds. A 15-time winner, Harrison has consistently ranked among the world's top hurdlers, with personal bests including 11.35 seconds in the 100 meters and 54.09 seconds in the 400 meters hurdles. As of November 2025, she remains active, winning the women's 100 meters hurdles at the Atlanta City Games and placing fourth at the Slam.

Early life and education

Family background

Kendra Harrison was born on September 18, 1992, in and adopted at birth by Gary and Karon Harrison, a military family who raised her alongside ten siblings, eight of whom were also adopted from various backgrounds including Korea and . The Harrisons relocated frequently due to Gary's service as a U.S. pilot, eventually settling in , when Harrison was five years old, where she spent her formative years in a bustling household that emphasized family bonds and shared activities. In her early childhood, Harrison showed an initial interest in soccer, joining a and an elite league while also participating in and , activities that highlighted her athletic potential and . Her transition to came later, influenced by family encouragement, particularly from her older sister Kasey, who introduced her to the sport as a way to channel her energy. The Harrison 's supportive dynamic played a key role in nurturing her pursuits, with Gary and Karon providing unwavering encouragement and logistical help, such as using a repurposed shuttle bus for transporting the children to practices and events, fostering a sense of resilience and that shaped Harrison's development. This environment, marked by Karon's initial reluctance to have children evolving into a commitment to a large, diverse , instilled values of perseverance that influenced Harrison's later athletic focus.

High school athletics

Kendra Harrison attended Clayton High School in Clayton, , where she developed her talent in , specializing in the hurdles. She took up the sport during high school after initially playing soccer, quickly emerging as a standout hurdler. During her junior and senior years, Harrison dominated the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) 4A state championships in the hurdles events. In 2010, as a junior, she won the 100-meter hurdles title with a time of 14.56 seconds (0.2 m/s wind) and the 300-meter hurdles crown in 42.53 seconds. The following year, as a senior, she repeated as state champion in both events, clocking 13.69 seconds (-0.4 m/s wind) in the 100-meter hurdles and 41.41 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles, establishing personal bests that highlighted her rapid improvement. These victories contributed to her status as a five-time NCHSAA 4A state champion overall, including successes in relay events during her high school tenure. Harrison's high school prowess earned her the 2011 Gatorade North Carolina Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year award, recognizing her as the top female athlete in the state. Her dedication was bolstered by strong family support, which motivated her commitment to training and competition. In 2023, she was inducted into the High School Track & Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame for her scholastic accomplishments.

College career

Harrison began her collegiate career at Clemson University, enrolling after her high school graduation in 2011 and competing for the Tigers during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, where she earned All-ACC honors in the 100 m hurdles in both years. In 2013, she transferred to the , joining the Wildcats team. At , Harrison trained under head coach Edrick Floréal, who emphasized technical refinements to her form, including improved stride efficiency and hurdle clearance mechanics that enhanced her speed and consistency. This coaching contributed to her rapid development, building on her high school foundation to elevate her performance at the national level. In , as a junior, Harrison achieved a historic double by winning titles in both the indoor 60 m hurdles (7.87 seconds) and the outdoor 100 m hurdles (12.55 seconds), becoming the first Kentucky athlete to claim national championships in both events. Her undefeated season in short hurdles events that year marked her as a dominant force in collegiate . Harrison's accomplishments earned her recognition as a finalist for the Bowerman Award, college track and field's highest individual honor, and she received the NCAA Today's Top 10 Award in 2016 for her contributions to the sport and academics.

Professional athletic career

Breakthrough and world record

Following her successful college career at the , where she won multiple NCAA titles, Kendra Harrison turned professional in 2016, signing a contract with and continuing to train under coach Edrick Floreal in . This transition marked her entry into elite international competition, where she quickly established herself as a top contender in the 100 meters hurdles. Harrison's 2016 season showed steady improvement, beginning with a personal best of 12.36 seconds in April at the Invitational. She lowered that to 12.24 seconds—an American record—at the Nike in Eugene on May 28, positioning her as the fastest hurdler in the world that year. However, at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene on , she finished sixth in 12.62 seconds after tripping over a hurdle, missing qualification for the Rio Olympics. Just two weeks later, on July 22 at the Müller Anniversary Games in —a meet—Harrison set the with a time of 12.20 seconds into a 0.3 m/s wind, shattering Yordanka Donkova's 28-year-old mark of 12.21 seconds from 1988. In a flawless performance, she led wire-to-wire, finishing 0.37 seconds ahead of second-place and expressing shock and relief upon realizing the achievement, collapsing to the track in tears. This record not only redeemed her Trials disappointment but also highlighted her technical precision and speed between hurdles. Prior to the world record, Harrison had won three Diamond League events in 2016, including , , and , demonstrating her consistency on the circuit. The Olympic Trials setback prompted mental and technical adjustments; she refocused on rebuilding confidence, refining her start, and maintaining rhythm to avoid errors, crediting the motivation from the miss as key to her breakthrough. "Only the record will make up for missing out on Rio," she stated post-race, emphasizing how the experience fueled her determination.

Olympic and World Championship performances

Kendra Harrison's international breakthrough came following her 2016 world record in the 100 m hurdles, which positioned her as a top contender entering major championships. At the 2017 World Championships in , Harrison competed in the 100 m hurdles final, finishing in 5th place with a time of 12.59 seconds under calm wind conditions. In 2018, she achieved her first global title at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, winning gold in the 60 m hurdles with a personal best of 7.70 seconds, edging out by 0.02 seconds. Harrison returned to the outdoor 100 m hurdles at the 2019 World Championships in , where she placed 2nd in the final with a time of 12.46 seconds (+0.3 m/s wind). Her Olympic debut occurred at the 2020 Games (delayed to 2021), where she secured a in the 100 m hurdles, clocking 12.52 seconds to finish behind Puerto Rico's , who won in 12.26 seconds with a +0.9 m/s wind. At the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Harrison again reached the 100 m hurdles final, taking 4th place in 12.55 seconds amid +1.0 m/s wind conditions. Harrison closed out this period with a at the 2023 World Championships in , running 12.46 seconds in the 100 m hurdles final with a +0.3 m/s wind, behind gold medalist Ackera Nugent and ist Jasmine .
YearEventLocationDisciplinePlaceTimeWind (m/s)Notes
2017World Championships, GBR100 m hurdles5th12.590.0-
2018World Indoor ChampionshipsBirmingham, GBR60 m hurdles1st7.70-Personal best
2019World Championships, QAT100 m hurdles2nd12.46+0.3
2021Tokyo, JPN100 m hurdles2nd12.52+0.9-
2022World ChampionshipsEugene, USA100 m hurdles4th12.55+1.0-
2023World Championships, HUN100 m hurdles3rd12.46+0.3-

Recent competitions (2024–present)

In 2024, Harrison did not qualify for the Paris Olympics after placing sixth in the 100 m hurdles final at the U.S. Olympic Trials with a time of 12.39 seconds. Despite the setback, she remained active on the international circuit, securing a victory at the City Games in 12.67 seconds. Later in the season, she finished 8th at the Memorial meeting with 12.52 seconds (-0.5 m/s wind). She concluded her Diamond League appearances with a sixth-place finish at the in , clocking 12.70 seconds. Entering 2025, Harrison demonstrated continued competitiveness, opening her season with a fourth-place finish at the Grand Slam Track Miami Slam in the 100 m hurdles, running 12.40 seconds for a season's best. She followed this with a win at the City Games, posting a wind-aided 12.30 seconds. Throughout the series, her performances included a fourth-place result in (12.48 seconds, +0.7 m/s wind) and a third in Eugene (12.50 seconds, +0.4 m/s wind), underscoring her sustained elite-level speed into her early 30s. At the 2025 US Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Harrison placed 4th with 12.37 seconds (+0.7 m/s wind), qualifying for the World Championships in . At the World Championships, she advanced through the heats but did not reach the final. Harrison's recent years reflect career longevity, with times consistently in the low 12.40s range amid training adjustments, including an early-2025 shift to coach Andreas Behm in after parting ways with Bobby Kersee. This transition allowed her to balance selective racing with recovery from prior exertions, maintaining relevance in a field led by emerging talents like Masai Russell.

Achievements and records

Major international medals

Kendra Harrison has earned several prominent medals in major international competitions, highlighting her prowess in the 100 m hurdles and 60 m hurdles events. Her achievements include an Olympic , two World Championships silvers ( and one other? Wait, no: silver, 2023 bronze), a World Indoor Championships gold, a World Championships bronze, and a NACAC Championships gold, underscoring her consistent performance on the global stage. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Harrison secured silver in the women's 100 m hurdles with a time of 12.52 seconds, behind gold medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico (12.37 seconds), with bronze going to Megan Tapper of Jamaica (12.55 seconds). This marked her first Olympic medal and came after her world record-setting performance in 2016, which bolstered her reputation as a top contender internationally. Harrison claimed gold at the in Birmingham, , in the women's 60 m hurdles, clocking 7.70 seconds to edge out of the by 0.02 seconds. This victory represented her first world championship title and demonstrated her versatility in shorter hurdle distances. At the in , , Harrison earned silver in the women's 100 m hurdles final with a time of 12.46 seconds (+0.3 m/s wind), finishing behind gold medalist of the (12.34 seconds). In the in , , she earned bronze in the women's 100 m hurdles final with a time of 12.46 seconds, finishing behind gold medalist of (12.43 seconds) and silver medalist (12.44 seconds). This podium finish added to her major championship medal collection and reaffirmed her competitive edge. Harrison also won gold at the 2018 NACAC Championships in , , in the women's 100 m hurdles, recording 12.55 seconds to outpace the field and set a championship record. This regional triumph further solidified her dominance in North American competitions. Additionally, Harrison captured the 2016 IAAF overall title in the women's 100 m hurdles by winning the final in Zurich, , with a time of 12.63 seconds, capping a season that included multiple meeting victories. She has secured wins in several events, contributing to her status as a series standout.
EventMedalYearLocationTime
Olympic Games (100 m hurdles)Silver2020Tokyo, Japan12.52 s
World Championships (100 m hurdles)Silver2019Doha, Qatar12.46 s
World Indoor Championships (60 m hurdles)Gold2018Birmingham, UK7.70 s
World Championships (100 m hurdles)Bronze2023Budapest, Hungary12.46 s
NACAC Championships (100 m hurdles)Gold2018Toronto, Canada12.55 s
Diamond League Final (100 m hurdles)Gold2016Zurich, Switzerland12.63 s

National and NCAA titles

During her collegiate career at the , Kendra Harrison achieved significant success in hurdles events at the NCAA level. In , she won the Indoor Championships title in the 60 m hurdles, marking her undefeated season in short hurdles indoors. Later that year, she claimed the Outdoor Championships gold in the 100 m hurdles with a time of 12.55 seconds, contributing to her recognition as the USTFCCCA National Track Athlete of the Year. Harrison's transition to professional athletics brought multiple victories at the U.S. national level, solidifying her dominance in domestic competitions. She secured her first U.S. indoor national title in the 60 m hurdles at the 2017 USATF Indoor Championships, part of a dominant season that also included an outdoor crown. In the outdoor arena, Harrison won the 100 m hurdles at the 2017 USATF Outdoor Championships in 12.60 seconds, her first national outdoor title following a challenging Olympic Trials the previous year. She defended her outdoor title successfully in 2018, winning in , and again in 2019 for her third consecutive victory, showcasing consistent excellence against top American competitors. Harrison added another outdoor national championship in 2022 at the USATF Outdoor Championships, clocking 12.35 seconds—the fastest time globally that year—to qualify for international events. These domestic triumphs built on her high school achievements, where she captured multiple state titles in , laying the foundation for her collegiate and professional success.

Personal bests and progression

Kendra Harrison's athletic progression is marked by significant improvements in her technique and speed, transforming her from a promising college into a holder. Her all-time personal best in the 100 m hurdles stands at 12.20 seconds, achieved on July 22, 2016, at the Müller Anniversary Games in , which also established the world record at the time. In the 60 m hurdles, her lifetime best is 7.70 seconds, set on March 3, 2018, at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, tying the North American record.
EventPersonal BestDateLocation
100 m hurdles12.20 s22 Jul 2016, GBR
60 m hurdles7.70 s03 Mar 2018Birmingham, GBR
200 m22.81 s28 Apr 2018Gainesville, USA
400 m hurdles54.09 s13 Jun 2015Sacramento, USA
Harrison's development in the 100 m hurdles demonstrates steady advancement, beginning with a time of 13.49 seconds in 2011 during her early college years at . By 2012, she improved to 13.03 seconds, followed by 12.88 seconds in 2013, reflecting gains in power and stride efficiency. Her progression accelerated in 2014 with 12.74 seconds and 12.55 seconds in 2015 at the NCAA Championships while at the , culminating in the 12.20-second in 2016. Post-2016, she has maintained consistency, regularly achieving sub-12.5-second performances in major competitions, underscoring her sustained elite-level execution. In complementary events, Harrison's 200 m best of 22.81 seconds highlights her flat speed, while her 400 m hurdles mark of 54.09 seconds, set during her 2015 NCAA season, illustrates her endurance in longer hurdle races. These times contributed to her versatility as a double hurdler in college. Key to her evolution were technique refinements under coaches such as Edrick Floréal, with whom she trained professionally at the ; Floréal emphasized minimizing air time over hurdles to enhance overall race efficiency.

References

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