Beating a Track and Field star like Grant Holloway in hurdles, and that too in the U.S.? Well, that had been unheard of for more than a decade! But the 26-year-old lad from Winfield, Alabama… did it… last month. At the Tom Jones Invitational in Gainesville, Florida, Trey Cunningham stopped the clock at 13.09 seconds, ending Olympic champion Grant Holloway’s 11-year unbeaten run on U.S. soil in the 110-meter hurdles who clocked 13.18s. That win wasn’t just fast, but it also set the (then)  fastest time in the world this season. Just two weeks later in Miami, he matched his personal best with a 13.00. Another win. Another statement. But behind the timing sheets, trophies, and social media glory lies a truth that most didn’t see coming.

The guy who is now sprinting past Titans was barely walking without pain not too long ago.And that story? It’s far more human than heroic—yet far more inspiring than anything you’ll read this week, and that has been brought about by the change in the mindset!

Cunningham’s resurgence wasn’t born from some secret training hack or sudden breakthrough. It was stitched together through pain, doubt, and a quiet shift in mindset that came only after years of physical breakdowns. From 2021 to 2023, injuries stalked him like shadows. A torn hamstring nearly crushed his Olympic dreams. A period that cost him NCAA titles and almost kept him from the Olympic Trials. The pain didn’t end there. In early 2023, a bone bruise in his lower back flared up. But he didn’t stop trusting himself!

Well, now, it has helped him power his feet over every hurdle. “You know, it’s a belief that I can do what needs to be done,” Cunningham said to CITIUS MAG “That I don’t have to do anything special to be a winner, because what I do is enough.”

He doesn’t overthink the splits anymore. He doesn’t obsess over form. “Mostly, I’ve been trying to focus on my lane, do what I need to do. Each race, we’ll probably knock down some time,” he said. The swagger is creeping back too. “If I break into 9 seconds, maybe,” he grinned when asked if he’d switch to the 100 meters full-time. “But no, I don’t run that fast.” When asked what it’ll take to dip under 13 seconds again, the track and field star’s reply was simple: “Just a little more effort.”

And finally, there’s this: “For us, our body is like our race car,” he said. “If you don’t know if your race car can go… there’s some doubt. But I believe my race car can go now. So… I’m ready to go.”

Well, will surely know, with so many events lined up.

Which races will track and field star Trey Cunningham run soon?

Trey Cunningham is building something special this season. After plenty of wins, he will move to Atlanta on May 17. At the heart of Piedmont Park, on a specially built elevated track, Trey will race the 110m hurdles in a one-of-a-kind street meet.

It’s not just about the win—it’s about making a statement as well. With stars like Grant Holloway in the field, this is a showdown you won’t want to miss. The final is set for mid-afternoon, and the stage is perfect for fireworks.

Just a couple of weeks later, he’s headed north to Philadelphia for the Grand Slam Track meet (May 30–June 1). And he’s not just showing up—he’s arriving as the man to beat. After stunning wins in Miami, where he clocked a blazing 13.00 in the hurdles and 10.17 in the 100m, he’s carrying serious momentum.

As for what’s next? Well, as of yet, nothing about his races is known beyond Phill, but don’t be surprised to see him pop up at more meets.

After all, the World Championships in Tokyo are in September, and Trey’s got a point to prove.