Justin Gatlin Issues Warning to Track & Field Stars After 24-Year-Old’s Diamond League Feat

Under the glow of stadium lights in Keqiao, China, on the evening of Saturday, May 3, something extraordinary happened on the track. The air was thick with anticipation at the Diamond League meet, as the men’s 110m hurdles lined up. The track and field fans expected fireworks, but they didn’t know they were about to witness history. As they got the green light, one athlete surged ahead, smooth, controlled, and utterly explosive over each barrier. The commentator’s voice climbed with every stride: “He powers through these hurdles.. running away with a men’s 110 hurdles. He does go underneath 13 seconds, miles under thirteen seconds. 12.88… This man is so talented, so so talented. You thought that sort of time might be possible. But at the start of May.” Except… it wasn’t 12.88. It was 12.87 seconds, officially confirmed just moments later. And the man behind that historic time?

Cordell Tinch—a 24-year-old American hurdler, who on that electric evening, became only the fourth-fastest in the history of the event. No one—not even the greats—had ever run sub-12.90 in the month of May. But Cordell did. And he did it by blowing away a stacked field that included names like Rachid Muratake, Rasheed Broadbell, and China’s own Xu Zhuoyi. Meanwhile, the track world was stunned. And back in the U.S., one man in particular couldn’t sit still.

On the next episode of his show, Ready Set Go, Justin Gatlin—the Olympic gold medalist and track and field legend—sat down with a grin, eyes wide, and voice charged with excitement. “Let’s talk about Cordell Tinch,” he said, leaning forward. “With a 12.87 in the 110 hurdles in Shanghai, bro. He just dropped a bomb. This goes to show you that if you align your preparation with that moment, special things can happen. 12.87, dog? 12.87.”

He paused, letting the weight of those numbers hang in the air. Then he turned to his co-host, Rodney Green, tossed the moment like a baton, and hit him with the question that echoed what track fans around the world were thinking: “What do you think about that? What do you feel?” Because it wasn’t just a fast race. It was a statement. It was a warning. And above all, it was the arrival of Cordell Tinch. So, what did Rodney say?

The former Bahamian track and field athlete captured it perfectly, “Remember when he was just so hungry and everything else before he got his deal, and then he got his deal. Not saying the deal made him comfortable. We don’t know what transpired. We don’t know if he had injuries or anything, but this looks like the Cordell Tinch who was like, I’m ready for anything. Bring it. I want to race whoever.” That’s the version of Tinch that showed up in Keqiao. Not the cautious, still-developing prospect. No—this was a man on a mission, the version who wants all the smoke, who craves the big names in his lane. But how exactly did he elevate to this level of supremacy? What’s the secret?

That’s where Rodney Green stepped in with a sharp technical breakdown: “I’ve had a few hurdlers who I talked to who always said this kid’s trail leg is so quick and he gets down to the floor so quick he is next up. And now I think it’s starting to show.” Rodney wasn’t just talking about one performance. He was connecting the dots—Tinch had just dropped two elite times back-to-back. This isn’t luck. This isn’t a fluke. It’s consistency, paired with terrifying speed and razor-sharp technique.

And Rodney took it a step further: “Cordell Tinch is trying to show if he could hold this type of power all the way through nationals and through worlds, he is showing that he’s not going to just be a finalist. He is going to make the poll.” That’s a bold prediction—but after what we saw in Keqiao? It’s not just believable—it’s expected. Cordell Tinch is no longer just a name to watch. He’s the name you circle in bold. However, this year, there have been several attempts where the 24-year-old has shown his talent. 

The track and field athlete shows up everywhere 

Cordell Tinch is having that kind of season—the kind that turns potential into power, and promise into podiums. It all began indoors, where Tinch quietly laid the foundation. He competed in six 60m hurdles events—a stretch that didn’t grab headlines but showed steady form and focus. His highlight came at the Millrose Games, one of the biggest stages of the indoor circuit. There, he clocked his best performance of the season (7.43 seconds), finishing second in a deep men’s field. It was a strong showing, but it was just the beginning. Because when the outdoor season arrived, Cordell leveled up. Now, we’re talking fireworks. We’re talking dominance.

So far, in the men’s 110m hurdles, he’s been untouchable, standing atop the podium three times—and not just in small meets. Here’s the roll call: Pittsburgh State University Tune-Up – a tune-up in name only, because Cordell turned it into a statement win. Xiamen Diamond League – his first Diamond League gold of the year, against international talent. Shanghai/Keqiao Diamond League – the big one, where he didn’t just win—he stunned the world with a blazing 12.87 seconds, the fourth-fastest time in history.

So, from Millrose silver indoors to Diamond League gold outdoors, Cordell Tinch is showing what happens when preparation meets opportunity. His improvement hasn’t been a step forward—it’s been a leap. And right now, he’s flying. Can he carry this fire all the way to the U.S. Trials and beyond?

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