Dreams do come true, and when they do, everything else pales in comparison. U.S. hurdler Cordell Tinch ensured the glory was all his, rising from a former salesman and football player to dominate the 110m hurdles at the World Championships in Tokyo. Once weighed down by a job installing toilet paper machines and battling depression, Tinch has now claimed the title the world has been waiting for: a champion born for greatness. It’s not unusual for athletes to step away from their sport, but Cordell Tinch took it to a whole new level.
For years, Tinch navigated a string of odd jobs, including selling mobile phones, installing cable and operating machinery, building a life far removed from the track. It wasn’t until December 2022 that he made his triumphant return to the world of sport. Talk about turning the tables. Last year, he narrowly missed making the 2024 Olympic team by a single spot, but now, the gold medal belongs solely to him. At the Tokyo World Championships, Tinch blazed through the 110m hurdles in 12.99 seconds, firmly covering his name in glory.
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Talking to the media, “I don’t think that I made it to where I am now if I didn’t ever take that break to find myself. Finding myself was the biggest part of all of that. Just because at the time, I don’t think I was a very happy person.”