Defeated at Tom Jones Memorial, Masai Russell Gets Candid About Olympic Champion Title After Drake Relays Win: “I Get Scared”

“A champion is defined not by their wins but by how they recover when they fall.” Those were Serena Williams’ words, and on Saturday afternoon at Drake Stadium, Masai Russell proved them true. The Paris Olympics 100m hurdles champion had recently suffered a rare setback, losing to Grace Stark at the Tom Jones Memorial, 12.59 to 12.65. For many, a stumble like that may break their spirit, especially when you are expected to win, being an Olympic Champion. But Masai wasn’t having any of that and when she lined up at 115 Drake Relays, she made sure to bury Tom Jones Ghost with what she does best, ie win. She stamped her authority at the in Des Moines.

Lining up against a stiff headwind, facing a strong field, she exploded from the blocks like a woman on a mission. 12.74 seconds later, she was across the line — arms out, defiant, victorious. Bahamian star Denisha Cartwright, running for Minnesota State, tried to hang with Russell but finished a distant second at 12.93. Former UCF standout Rayniah Jones clocked 13.00 for third. And well she has something to say now!