US newcomer Jordan Anthony announced himself on the global stage by scorching to gold in the men’s 60m at the world indoor championships in Torun, Poland, on Friday.
The 21-year-old American champion clocked a season’s best of 6.41 seconds for a stunning win.
“Winning the gold feels great but, to be honest, I feel more excited for the fans than for myself,” said Anthony, who switched to track after playing American football.
“The final was a great race but I still have a lot left in the tank. Most importantly, I did my debut right and I am bringing the gold medal back to the USA.”
Anthony added: “This felt easy for me. This proves to me I picked the right sport. I am looking forward to the outdoor season.”
Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, the world and Olympic 100m silver medallist, came in second in a personal best of 6.45sec as the Caribbean island’s gold medal drought in the event continued.
American Trayvon Bromell, who won the 60m back in 2016 and was part of the world gold medal-winning 4x100m relay team last year in Tokyo, claimed bronze in a photo finish with Thompson.
Defending champion Jeremiah Azu of Britain was fourth in 6.46sec.
Anthony has made an electrifying start to his professional career after years of accolade in the 60m and 100m events at the NCAA US collegiate level.
This month he won the 60m at the USATF Indoor Championships in 6.45sec, ahead of Bromell and his training partner Noah Lyles, the Olympic 100m champion, who clocked 6.51.
While gold again proved elusive for Jamaica, it has never been a problem for the US team, with the likes of Maurice Greene, Justin Gatlin, Christian Coleman and Bromell all previously winning on the world indoor stage.
Anthony’s gold was the 12th time an American had won the 60m in 21 editions of the world indoors.
With multiple contenders in sub-6.50 form, there was little room for error in Poland.
The sprinters had set out their stall in the competitive semi-finals.
Bromell raced to a then-new world lead of 6.42m, while Anthony and Azu set personal bests of 6.43 and 6.45sec respectively.
Come the final, Anthony was out of the blocks rapidly in lane four for a tiny lead he managed to hold through to the line.
The next three sprinters could only be separated after a lengthy examination of finishing photo shots.
Bronze medallist Bromell was left delighted with his showing.
“It is a blessing to come back after so many injuries and win another world indoor medal after 10 years,” the 30-year-old said.
“My start in the final was a bit lousy compared to the semis but that is part of the game. You have to be focused on executing each phase of the race.”
Brommel added: “Looking at Jordan (Anthony), I see a mirror image of myself from 10 years ago. I also won the world title as a young, unpolished athlete.
“You do not see too many talents like him. It is athletes like him that keep me motivated and on top of my game. I know he has a great team and I expect him to have a great career ahead of him.”
Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme, Taymir Burnet of the Netherlands and Belgium’s Simon Verherstraeten made up the numbers in the eight-man final.
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