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Kendra HarrisonAmerican track and field athlete
Date of Birth: 18.08.1992
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Kendra Harrison: Record-Breaking Hurdler
- Early Life
- Athletic Career
- World Record and Olympic Disappointment
Kendra Harrison: Record-Breaking Hurdler
Kendra Harrison is an American track and field athlete who specializes in hurdling. She holds the current world record in the 100-meter hurdles, set on July 22, 2016, with a time of 12.20 seconds.
Early Life
Harrison grew up in a foster home with 11 other children, nine of whom were adopted, like herself. The group of adopted children came from diverse backgrounds, including Korean, Bolivian, Caucasian, and African American. Her adoptive parents, Gary and Carron Harrison, were both former U.S. Navy officers, with Gary serving as a pilot and Carron as a physical therapist. After retiring from the military, the family settled in Clayton, North Carolina.
Athletic Career
Harrison began competing at the collegiate level in 2010. In 2012, she attempted to make the Olympic team but failed to advance beyond the quarterfinals at the U.S. Track and Field Championships. At the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, she reached the semifinals but was disqualified due to a false start.
World Record and Olympic Disappointment
On July 22, 2016, at the Sainsbury's Anniversary Games, Harrison set the world record in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 12.20. She broke one of the oldest world records in track and field, which had stood since 1988. However, at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Harrison finished fourth in the final with a time of 12.62, missing out on a spot on the Olympic team. The final was exceptionally competitive, with the winner, Brianna Rollins, clocking a time of 12.34. Rollins went on to win the 100-meter hurdles in Rio.
