Russia's Sergey Shubenkov celebrates after winning the 110 metres hurdles gold at the World Championships in Beijing yesterday.

Reuters/Beijing


Olympic champion Aries Merritt claimed an extraordinary bronze medal days before he undergoes a kidney transplant as Russian Sergey Shubenkov stormed to the world 110 metres hurdles title yesterday.
Shubenkov was left dumbfounded after flying over the hurdles to take a clear lead off the final barrier and crossing the line for his first global championship gold in 12.98 seconds.
“I can’t describe what I’m feeling,” the 24-year-old told reporters after breaking the Russian record. “I don’t remember anything about the race. I heard the starting gun and then I opened my eyes and it was finished. I wondered whether it was really happening, whether I might wake up. This is the best day of my life.”
Shubenkov, a two-time European champion, whooped and danced for joy after timing his dip at the line to perfection. “It’s not every day a hurdler from Russia wins gold. I’m super-proud of myself,” said the 24-year-old, who took bronze in Moscow two years ago.
“It was a hard three days and every race was tough but our hard work all these years was not wasted,” the Russian added.
Hansle Parchment of Jamaica was second in 13.03 with world record holder Merritt third in 13.04 seconds, his best run of the year.
Defending champion David Oliver trudged away from the track at Bird’s Nest after only managing seventh place in a time of 13.33, but Parchment was all smiles after his silver, crediting superstar countryman Usain Bolt for inspiring the Jamaican team.
“Usain is one of the people who all the athletes look up to, to always try to achieve the best we can,” said the London Olympic bronze medallist. “I can just imagine how happy my mum is feeling back home now.”
American Merritt, who was told he would never run again after being diagnosed with kidney disease in 2013, will receive the new organ from his sister in Arizona next week.
The 30-year-old got off to his usual explosive start and had an early lead before his lack of training took its toll and he faded over the final hurdles.
“How is that possible? I don’t know,” he said. “I just kept a level head and did what needed to be done and completed my race to the best of my ability.
“But given the circumstances, I think it was my best race of the year and I came away with a medal, just as I had hoped to.
“It almost means more to me than my Olympic gold, the state I’m in, the training I’ve done, it’s been very difficult, very hard. The struggle is real.”
Parchment, bronze medallist behind Merritt at the London Olympics, was happy with silver.
“The conditions, the temperature, everything was working for me,” said thee 25-year-old.
“I managed to run smooth and kept my composure over the hurdles despite not feeling much strength this time.”
Defending champion David Oliver of the United States hit three of his first four hurdles and was never in the race, finishing seventh in 13.33 seconds.
Merritt had a brilliant 2012, winning gold at the London Olympics and shattering the world record with a time of 12.80 seconds at the Brussels Diamond League meeting.
It was after he finished sixth at the 2013 world championships that his illness was diagnosed and he only revealed this week that he was going to have the transplant.
He was not sure whether he would recover in time for next year’s Olympics.
“I don’t know,” he said. “If I recover quickly, you’ll see me back soon, if I don’t you know I’m still recovering. There’s a chance that you won’t see me next year, but I’m going to be optimistic and say I hope to see you in Rio.”