Robles Forced to Defend World Record
Cuban hurdler Dayron Robles had been through a fair share of trying experiences, on and off the track, and is poised to defend his world record from the onslaught of other competitors this season.
Robles, who had clocked the fastest times in the 60m hurdles event during the 2008 winter season, had his mind set on a gold medal in the 2008 IAFF World Indoor Championships in Valencia Spain.
But during the first heat, Robles stopped running soon after the race had started, thinking that Liu Xiang of China had made a head-start. Such was not the case, and Robles came last in the race, infuriated at the misunderstanding.
But, as champions would, Robles bounced back successfully. In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where Liu was forced to withdraw with tendonitis, Robles comfortably claimed the gold medal by finishing the final in 12.93 seconds.
It was a feat that earned him the most prestigious prize there is in athletics.
Hurdler from 14
As a child, Robles developed anaemia, a condition caused by a lack of red blood cells in the body. But, helped by his healthy diet, Robles competed in athletics events despire his blood disorder
The high jump was Robles’ preferred event event as a child, but at 14, he made the switch to hurdles – a decision he has yet to regret.
In 2003, at 16 years of age, Robles made his international debut at the World Junior Championships in Canada. By 2004, Robles earned Cuba’s only medal in the same competition in Italy, finishing as runner-up in the 110m hurdles final.
It was in 2006, after Robles had made the switch to professional athletics, that he would really make a mark on the sport. On July 11 in Lausanne, Robles ran alongside Olympic gold medalist Liu and the French world champion Ladji Doucoure in a spectacular hurdles race.
Liu won the race by setting a new world record of 12.88 seconds, while Robles himself claimed fourth place and a personal best of 13.04 seconds. The time showed beyond doubt that the 19-year-old Robles was soon to break the 13-second barrier.
I did not have a good start in that race, but the day was magic,” said Robles after the race in Lausanne four years ago.
“Everyone ran so fast. I am young and I already reached the elite level. Now I have to stay there.”
Remarkable 2008 Season
And stay there he did. In only his third race of the season, Robles broke a new world record in Ostrava, Czech Republic on June 12, 2008.
In a race that came nearly two months before the main event of the season, the Beijing Olympics, Robles had already shown stunning form.
He raced ahead from the start and letting his long stride deliver him over the finish line in 12.87 seconds – 0.01 ahead of Liu’s world record from 2006.
His Olympic gold medal topped off a Robles’ best season to date.
In 2009, the Cuban was tipped to go head-to-head with Liu at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, but had to withdraw from his semi-final due to a muscular injury.
Having spent the remainder of the 2009 season nursing his injury, Robles returned this season in time for the IAAF World Indoor Championships, where he edged on top of Liu and US hurlder Terrence Trammell in the 60m hurdles final.
The world record holder is being threatened this season by David Oliver of the USA, who recently clocked 12.89 seconds at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris, from which Robles had withdrawn due to fatigue.
With his world record time threatened, Cuba’s outstanding hurdler will be eager to defend it.
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