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, and 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.

We’ll tell you how that exactly happened. When the men’s 110m Hurdles final began, it was clear that either Tinch or Ja’Kobe Tharp had to seal the deal for Team USA. With Dylan Beard knocked out in heat 1 of the semis and Grant Holloway not qualifying for the final either, one of Tinch or Tharp had to step up. And once the gun went off, Tinch did. He started strong and navigated his way through the hurdles to finally accelerate in the end and cross the finish line first in 12.99s! Jamaicans Orlando Bennett and Tyler Mason closed in second and third, both with lifetime bests.

In Holloway’s first absence from 2019, Cordell Tinch still ensured that the world champion crown came home to an American. Talking to the media later, he credited his break as a pivotal reason why he could achieve this feat tonight in Tokyo. For context, Tinch had given up the sport altogether during the COVID pandemic, working odd jobs while staying at home with his family.

But after finding himself again over the following years, he headed to the Worlds in Tokyo. And today, after winning, he said, “I don’t think I’d have been able to step out in front of all of them under all those lights in a final with the nine best athletes in the world. I don’t think I would have been able to handle it if I didn’t take that break.”

A part of the reason is that Tinch deems mental health to be a vital part of an athlete’s life. Today, as he sits on the throne of the World champion, he said, “I’m a firm believer that mental health is a big part of track and field. You can be as talented as you want to be, but if you are mentally fragile, you will not make it anywhere. Therefore, to find myself, find happiness, find peace, and then be able to come out here and be the athlete that I’m showing the world.” But this isn’t it. Tinch had been showing the signs of a to-be champion all season long.

Cordell Tinch’s 2025 season was a testament to his consistency

16 first-place finishes in one season, 11 times on the podium for either a silver or a bronze, and just 3 podium misses this season. The statistics speak for themselves that Tinch had an incredible season going into the World Championships, and he was showing all the signs of a potential World Champion.

This year, Tinch ran a personal best of 12.87 on May 3, a time that still stands as the world lead for 2025. Other than this, Tinch’s achievements also include winning his debut Diamond League title in Zurich, where he ran a fierce 12.92s time.

Also, not once, but thrice this season had he defeated Grant Holloway, the reigning World and Olympic Champion of the event. First, at the Xiamen Diamond League in April, which raised eyebrows. Then, at the U.S Nationals semifinals, and finally at the Silesia Diamond League. And now, Cordell Tinch is the world champion in the 110m hurdles, completing a fairytale story after a life full of struggles! What a well-deserved end to an exceptional season for the 25-year-old!