The air in Stockholm was boasted victory on June 15, 2025, as the legendary USA-Jamaica track rivalry flared up once again! This isn’t just any rivalry; it’s a clash of titans that has given us countless nail-biting finishes over the years, from American relay powerhouses battling Jamaican sprint queens like Elaine Thompson-Herah. This time, all eyes were on the women’s 100m hurdles, with an American rising star ready to carve her own legacy.

And then, here it was… Grace Stark absolutely flew down the track at the Bauhaus Galan, crossing the finish line in a jaw-dropping 12.33 seconds! She narrowly edged out Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent, who put up a fierce fight to finish in 12.37s, just four-hundredths of a second behind. The Netherlands’ Nadine Visser rounded out the top three with a season-best 12.49s. A stunning photo from Track & Field Gazette perfectly captured Stark mid-air, her muscles flexed, a blur of pure power as she soared over the hurdles.

But this wasn’t just another win for Grace; it was a historic moment! She didn’t just beat Nugent; she shattered a 7-year-old Stockholm meeting record of 12.38s, previously held by American Olympic champion Brianna McNeal. That incredible 12.33s also marked Stark’s season-best, adding to an already impressive 2025 that includes her 12.42s meet record win in Shanghai. After finishing fifth at the 2024 Paris Olympics, it’s clear Stark is hitting her stride at the perfect time, with the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo on the horizon.

So, how did she pull off such a phenomenal feat? This 24-year-old from White Lake, Michigan, has faced her share of hurdles. A broken leg in 2022 could have sidelined her for good, but Grace Stark roared back, even tying a collegiate record with her NCAA Indoor 60m hurdles title that same year. Now, she’s proving she can dominate on the global stage, even against the best, like Jamaica’s star Nugent.

Can Grace Stark keep rewriting the record books as the season unfolds? We’re certainly on the edge of our seats to find out!

Grace’s calendar is stacked

Grace Stark is on fire! After absolutely crushing it with a record-breaking 12.33-second win in the 100m hurdles at the Stockholm Diamond League on June 15, 2025, this 24-year-old American hurdler is officially a force to be reckoned with! So, what’s next for this rising star as the 2025 season truly heats up?

Grace has her sights firmly set on the World Championships in Tokyo, and she’s already got her game plan mapped out. “I want to keep this momentum going and just watch my times get lower and lower each meet,” she beamed after her Stockholm triumph. Her next move? Heading back to Eugene, Oregon, for the all-important U.S. trials, that’s the crucial step to cementing her spot on the team. “To get ready for the World Championships, I’ll be heading back to Eugene, putting everything into it, and hopefully making the team so I can really perform in Tokyo,” she added. But how is she going to make sure she nails it?

For Grace, it’s all about staying in her zone, both on the track and in her head. “The biggest thing for me is to stay focused, execute my race, and just concentrate on what I’m doing,” she stressed. With her season-best in Stockholm and that strong 12.42-second win in Shanghai earlier this year, she’s clearly on the right path. Can she shave even more time off in Eugene? We’re all waiting to see!