The world of men’s 110m hurdles is going through a seismic shake-up, and no one is safe, not even the reigning king. Just weeks ago at the Ostrava Diamond League, the track world gasped in disbelief. Grant Holloway, the Olympic champion and master of consistency, seemed to have another race under control—until the final 20 meters. Out of nowhere, Dylan Beard surged with the fury of a man possessed and clipped Holloway at the line by a mere 0.001 seconds. Yes, one-thousandth of a second. That’s how narrow the margins are now. But the tremors didn’t stop there. 

In Paris, the hurdles landscape shifted again. This time, Holloway didn’t even make the podium. It was Trey Cunningham who ruled the day, with Beard once again showing he’s no flash in the pan—he took second. The throne is wobbling, and challengers are circling. And just as the drama reached a boiling point, another twist hit—this time in Kingston.

At the JAAA National Senior Championships, Rasheed Broadbell came in with fire in his eyes and a mission on his mind: secure his spot for the World Championships in Tokyo. In the semifinal, he looked the part, storming past Tokyo Olympic champion Hansle Parchment with a commanding 13.27 (-0.2 m/s). Everything pointed toward a showdown in the final. Broadbell was primed, and the title was within reach. Then, the unthinkable happened.

As the finalists were announced, Broadbell’s name was missing. Whispers filled the stadium. Word spread that he had clipped a hurdle during warmups and was visibly in discomfort. Moments later, it was confirmed: Broadbell had withdrawn. Just like that, his World Championship dream vanished. But no one in the National Stadium in Kingston could have believed that they would see such a twist, not today, not even three weeks ago. 

During those weeks, Rashid was soaring. His form was undeniable—he clinched the men’s 110m hurdles title at the Racers Grand Prix with an impressive 13.06 seconds (+0.1 m/s). While Grant Holloway struggled to secure victories on the Diamond League circuit, Rashid was quietly—and consistently—making his mark. Well, on May 16, he delivered a standout performance at the Doha Diamond League, winning the final in 13.14 seconds (+1.1 m/s). And in Shanghai, he continued his strong run, finishing third with a 13.24-second effort (+0.6 m/s).

In a season where unpredictability rules the 110m hurdles, Rashid’s steady rise added another layer of intrigue. With the established order under pressure and new contenders gaining ground, one has to wonder—is a power shift on the horizon? But Holloway has yet to show any sign of giving up.

Grant Holloway is not going to give up 

At the Paris Diamond League, Grant Holloway didn’t win—but he didn’t waver either. After the race, where he missed the podium yet again, the three-time world champion stepped in front of the press, calm but contemplative. With a rare moment of openness, he admitted, “Obviously it’s not the result I wanted, but with everything going on, you know, I’ve got to be able to peak in September. I’ve got to take it with a grain of salt.” That wasn’t defeat speaking. That was a man who knows the real battle lies ahead—in Tokyo. And not everyone is rushing to write him off.

Track and field analyst Anderson Emerole, on his podcast The Final Leg Track & Field, offered a different perspective: “I think this is an excellent race for Grant Holloway. Let’s not get jaded by the fact that, you know, Grant has run 12 seconds a whole bunch of times. 13.1 is still very, very fast. So for him to open back up with 13.1, knowing he has a wild card to the World Championships … his goal is September. Now he’s going to make some progress. I mean, by the end of this season, Grant Holloway is going to be running 12 seconds, guaranteed. And, in my opinion, he’s still the favorite for the gold medal at the World Championships.” Emerole’s confidence echoes the belief many still hold: that Holloway isn’t out—he’s just getting started.

With his wildcard entry already locked in, Holloway has the luxury of pacing himself, fine-tuning his form, and timing his peak for when it matters most. A fourth world title is still within reach.

But while Holloway’s path to Tokyo remains clear, his Jamaican rival may have just seen his dream slip away. After withdrawing from the JAAA National Championships final, Rasheed Broadbell’s spot at the World Championships is now in serious doubt. So, in a season full of shocks and shifting tides, one thing is clear: the road to Tokyo is unforgiving—and only the strongest will survive it.