Masai Russell now owns the fastest women's 100-meter hurdles time ever recorded. The 26-year-old from Washington, DC clocked a 12.09 second-finish at the Diamond League 2026 stop in Zurich on August 27th, erasing the previous world record of 12.12 set by Tobi Amusan in 2022.
Masai Russell's 100-Meter Hurdles World Record Finish
What made the mark even more remarkable was the conditions. Russell posted her time with zero wind assistance. She pulled ahead of Amusan past the 40-meter mark and never let up, while the former record holder finished second with a time of 12.23.
"Every time y'all doubt me I just show y'all that I'm not like anybody else," Russell said in Zurich.
Beyond the world record, Russell remains undefeated in 2026 with 11 consecutive wins. She also became the first women's hurdler since 1988 to hold both Olympic gold and the world record in the event. Earlier this season, she ran 12.14 in Xiamen — then the second-fastest legal time in history.
Still, Russell already has her sights set higher. With a legal tailwind, she believes sub-12 is within reach. And that's a barrier no women's sports athlete has ever broken.
