The incredible Sasha Zhoya smashed yet another age-group record at the French Indoor U20 Championships in Miramas on Saturday (23).
In his first year in the U20 ranks, the 17-year-old blasted to the 60m hurdles title in a world indoor U20 record of 7.34, slicing six-hundredths from the previous mark for the 99cm barriers which belonged to USA's Trey Cunningham.
Zhoya began his day by clocking 7.53 in the heats on the Mondo Sportflex Super X720 track before threatening the now-beaten world indoor record in the semifinals with 7.43. The clock initially stopped at 7.35 in the final before his world record time was corrected to 7.34.
“I am so happy. Now I want to concentrate on the outdoor season,” said Zhoya before outlining his intentions to challenge the world outdoor U20 record of 12.99. “But the barriers are 1.06 metres. “I have to put my head down for these bigger barriers now.”
Born in Perth, Australia to a Zimbabwean father and French mother, Zhoya made the high-profile decision to represent France internationally at the start of the season.
His talents extend across the spectrum of track and field events. He set world U18 bests in the pole vault (5.56m) and 110m hurdles (12.87 over the 91.4cm barriers) and also finished the season ranked inside the top-10 globally at U18 level in the 100m, 200m and decathlon.
Stop it, Sasha!
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) February 22, 2020
Sasha Zhoya smashes the world indoor U20 60m hurdles record (99.0cm) with 7.34 at the French U20 Championships, beating the previous mark by 0.06!
Just a reminder: Zhoya also holds the world U18 best in the pole vault at 5.56m!pic.twitter.com/UAByucRIK2