American sprinter Jordan Anthony won the men's 60m gold at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in a time of 6.41 seconds, the fourth fastest in history, just 36 hours after developing a blood clot described as 'the size of a soccer ball' following a botched doping test.
The 21-year-old, who turned professional nine months ago after playing college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks, said the clot occurred when a doping control officer accidentally injected the needle outside his vein. US track and field doctors reduced the swelling, but Anthony struggled to sleep or move his arm properly before the race.
'When they took blood, he didn't stick it in my vein but outside, so I got a clot the size of a soccer ball,' Anthony said. 'That is why my arm is taped up. But it is what it is. Nothing can stop me.' He dedicated his victory to his late aunt and cousin, whose tattoos adorn his back.
Jamaica's Kishane Thompson took silver, and American Trayvon Bromell bronze, both in 6.45 seconds. Britain's Jeremiah Azu missed a medal by 0.01 seconds, clocking 6.46 seconds. 'I've gone 6.45 and 6.46 back to back. I think that's No 2 and No 3 in the UK all time,' said Azu. 'But I would have rather run seven seconds and win the race.'
Anthony, who trains with Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles in Florida, said he prepared meticulously by studying his opponents' tendencies. 'I know what your tendencies are. I know your pros and cons,' he said. Looking ahead, he targets gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
