American hurdler and Olympic gold medalist who set the 110m hurdles world record in 2012, winning gold at the London Olympics. Known for his incredible speed and technique.
Aries Merritt is an American track and field athlete renowned for his exceptional skills in the 110m hurdles, holding the world record with an unprecedented time of 12.80 seconds. This remarkable feat was achieved on September 7, 2012, cementing his position as one of the greatest hurdlers of all time.
Born on July 24, 1985, in Chicago, Illinois, Merritt moved to Marietta, Georgia, at a young age. He attended Joseph Wheeler High School, where he was teammates with Reggie Witherspoon. During his time at the University of Tennessee from 2003 to 2006, Merritt enjoyed a successful college career, earning seven All-American titles.
In 2004, Merritt took home the gold in the 110m hurdles at the World Junior Championships. Two years later, he finished sixth at the World Athletics Final and won the NCAA Championships, Indoors and Outdoors, remaining undefeated in all hurdles events that year.
In 2011, Merritt finished fifth in the 110m hurdles final at the World Championships in Athletics, with a time of 13.67 seconds. After Dayron Robles was disqualified, Merritt was promoted to fifth place. His season's best was 13.12 seconds, achieved in Eugene, Oregon, and Oslo.
In 2012, Merritt made a significant change to his approach, switching from eight to seven steps before the first hurdle. This bold move paid off, as he went on to win the gold medal in the 110m hurdles at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Merritt is the first hurdler to win gold in the US Indoor Championship, the World Indoor Championship, the US Olympic Trials, and the Olympic Games all in the same year. He also holds the distinction of being the world record holder in the 110m hurdles since 2012.
Beyond his impressive athletic achievements, Merritt's personal story is one of perseverance and determination. He has spoken publicly about the challenges he faced in his early years, including overcoming a difficult home life and finding solace in athletics.
Aries Merritt's remarkable career has inspired a generation of athletes, solidifying his position as one of the greatest hurdlers of all time. His dedication to his craft, unwavering perseverance, and impressive achievements have left an indelible mark on the world of track and field.
"It was pretty risky to make a change like that, but something had to be done if I was going to compete with Liu Xiang of China and Dayron Robles of Cuba."
Aries Merritt
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