Brown Credits SEC Rival Tharp for World Junior 110m Hurdles Triumph

Le’Ezra Brown’s victory at the World Junior 110-metre hurdles in Eugene was more than a personal milestone; it was the culmination of a season marked by recovery, coaching guidance and a motivating rivalry. After a dramatic final where Brown posted a 12.72, tying Sasha Zhoya’s 2021 altitude mark, the young hurdler reflected on the role his SEC counterpart Ja’Kobe Tharp played in his performance. ## A Friendly Rivalry Fuels the Finish Brown told reporters that Tharp’s encouragement was the “final spark” that pushed him to the gold-medal effort. The two athletes have been in regular contact, and a text from Tharp the day before the race reminded Brown to keep his trail leg tight and stay focused. "That’s my dog, that’s my guy," Brown laughed, adding that he intended to tell Tharp after the interview that he had run faster than him. The rivalry, while friendly, has driven both athletes to lower their times, with Tharp’s own junior record of 13.05 serving as a benchmark that Brown repeatedly surpassed during the competition. ## From Surgery to Sub-13 Success Brown’s path to the world title began three years earlier, when he emerged from major ACL and MCL surgery with a first sub-15 performance. The recovery was aided by his mother, Theria Mims, and Dudley coach TeQuille Jackson, who helped him rebuild his speed and confidence. A breakthrough indoor season in early 2024 saw Brown transition to national-class 60-metre hurdles, prompting his commitment to the University of Georgia. At Georgia, he benefited from a supportive coaching staff, including head coach Caryl Smith-Gilbert, sprint coach Kyle Stevenson and hurdle specialists Melia Cox and Karim Abdel Wahab. Their technical input-particularly on cut-step technique and hurdle clearance-proved crucial as Brown refined his race strategy. ## The Eugene Campaign: Records and Setbacks The U.S. U20 Championships in June set the tone for Brown’s record-breaking run in Eugene. In the preliminaries he posted a 12.95, besting Tharp’s junior record, while teammate Zacchaeus Brocks ran 13.00. The final saw Brocks edge Brown with a 12.98, but Brown responded at the World Junior Championships with a series of rapid improvements. He opened the prelims with a 12.89, followed by a 12.82 in the semi-finals despite a left-calf cramp that forced him to hop on one leg after the race. In the final, Brown admitted a shaky start but credited his coach’s advice to stay calm and maintain form, noting a surge in speed after the fifth hurdle. ## Looking Ahead: Indoor Focus and 42-Inch Hurdles Brown’s outdoor season in 2026 began strongly, with 13.23 and 13.22 over the 42-inch hurdles-times just 0.04 seconds shy of Tharp’s record at that height. However, a DNF at the SEC meet and a missed NCAA final highlighted areas for improvement. Brown emphasized the role of video analysis at Georgia, saying, "Coach Caryl critiques me and I just take it and run with it, and it works." He also praised the mentorship of Smith-Gilbert, describing her as a "second mom" who has helped him grow both on and off the track. As Brown prepares for his sophomore year at Georgia, he vows to return to the 42-inch hurdles with a refreshed approach, promising a different performance once indoor competition resumes. His focus on technical refinement, combined with the ongoing rivalry with Tharp, suggests that the next chapter of his hurdling career will continue to push the limits of junior and collegiate records.