2019 IAAF World Championships

Nia Ali Stuns World Leader For Gold, Harrison Earns First Global Medal

Nia Ali Stuns World Leader For Gold, Harrison Earns First Global Medal

With the world's eyes locked on Danielle Williams and Keni Harrison, Nia Ali won the world title and became the ninth-fastest woman of all time.

Oct 6, 2019 by Jennifer Zahn
Nia Ali Stuns World Leader For Gold, Harrison Earns First Global Medal

From Olympic silver to world gold.

With the world's eyes locked on Jamaica's world leader Danielle Williams and the United States' world record-holder Keni Harrison, Nia Ali powered through the second half of the 100m hurdles final to win the world title and become the ninth-fastest woman of all time in 12.34—a mark that significantly improved upon the 12.44 PR she set earlier in the semifinal.

Harrison, who hasn't earned an Olympic berth or a world medal despite becoming the fastest woman in history in 2016 with a 12.20, finally added a world silver medal to her resume in 12.46 today by taking down Williams, who led the world in 2019 with a 12.32.

Ali gave birth to her second child last year.

"Having babies makes us stronger," Ali said. "There’s nothing weak about having a baby, so what makes any one person think we won’t ‘make it through it’ and succeed?"

POSATHLETECOUNTRYMARKREACTION
1NiaALIUSA12.34 PB0.155
2KendraHARRISONUSA12.460.14
3DanielleWILLIAMSJAM12.470.127
4TobiAMUSANNGR12.490.218
5Andrea CarolinaVARGASCRC12.64 NR0.157
6NadineVISSERNED12.660.147
7JaneekBROWNJAM12.880.147

MeganTAPPERJAMDNF0.209