Devynne Charlton has risen from a promising athlete to a world-record holder, making waves in track and field. With back-to-back titles and stunning record-breaking performances, Charlton has proven that she’s not just a contender—she’s setting the stage to become the greatest of all time.
But can she make history with a third consecutive World Indoor Championship title in 2026?
Let’s dive into Charlton’s journey and her remarkable rise in the women’s 60-meter hurdles.
From The Beijing World Championships To Global Recognition
Devynne Charlton’s journey to track and field stardom began in 2015, when she made her debut in the 100-meter hurdles at the World Championships in Beijing. At the time, she was still a student at Purdue University and largely unknown outside the Bahamas. Fast forward to today, and Charlton is now a national treasure.
While hurdling is known for its competitiveness and unpredictability, Charlton has carved out her own niche in the sport thanks to her impressive determination and resilience. After several attempts to break into global finals in the 100-meter hurdles, she reached a significant milestone at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by placing sixth. It was a noteworthy achievement, but Charlton had much bigger goals in mind.
Charlton’s Historic 60-Meter Hurdles Journey
Charlton’s quest for greater glory didn’t end in Tokyo. In 2022, she had a breakout performance that would set her apart on the world stage. At the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade, she stunned the world by setting a national record of 7.81 seconds and securing a silver medal in the 60-meter hurdles. This was a key moment in Charlton’s career, marking the beginning of her dominance in the event.
A few months later, Charlton made waves again, clocking a wind-aided time of 12.53 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where she finished seventh. Despite the strong performance, she was frustrated at not making it to the podium. Yet, this only fueled her determination to achieve more.
The 2023 Budapest World Championships
In 2023, Charlton came close to securing a medal at the World Championships in Budapest, where she ran 12.52 seconds to finish fourth in the 100-meter hurdles final. While this was an outstanding effort, it wasn’t enough to earn her a spot on the podium. Charlton, however, didn’t dwell on the setback. Instead, she quickly shifted her focus to the 60-meter hurdles.
Charlton Breaks The World Record
2024 was a landmark year for Charlton, as she broke the 60-meter hurdles world record, setting a new time of 7.67 seconds at the Millrose Games. This achievement made waves globally and cemented her status as one of the best in the sport. However, she wasn’t done yet. At the Glasgow World Indoor Championship later that year, Charlton lowered her record even further, finishing with a time of 7.65 seconds to take home the gold.
Back-to-Back World Titles
Charlton’s victory in Glasgow was just the beginning. In 2025, she successfully defended her title at the World Indoor Championship in Nanjing, China, despite not having the best season leading up to the competition. Running a time of 7.72 seconds, Charlton demonstrated unmatched resilience and determination. With two gold medals and a silver, she solidified her place as one of the greatest 60-meter hurdlers of all time.
She joins an elite group of women—Americans Lolo Jones and Nia Ali—who have won two World Indoor Championship titles. But it’s clear that Charlton is aiming for even greater heights.
The Road To A Historic Third Title
Looking ahead to the 2026 Track and Field season, Charlton has set her sights on a third consecutive World Indoor Championship title in Pomerania, Poland. The competition in women’s hurdling remains fierce, but Charlton is determined to further cement her legacy.
Can Charlton Make History?
As we look forward to the 2026 championships, the question on everyone’s mind is: Can Devynne Charlton win a historic third World Indoor Championship title? With her determination and unmatched talent, there’s no telling what she might accomplish next.
Who do you think is the greatest 60-meter hurdler of all time—Charlton, Lolo Jones, or someone else? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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