Bullis Alum Masai Russell ’18 Makes History with 100m Hurdles World Record

From Bullis to Olympic champion to world-record holder: Masai Russell ’18 continues to make history.

Bullis is celebrating an extraordinary achievement by alumna Masai Russell ’18, who has added another remarkable milestone to her already historic career: she is now the world-record holder in the women’s 100-meter hurdles.

Competing Thursday at the Diamond League meet in Zurich, Switzerland, Russell stormed across the finish line in 12.09 seconds, shattering the previous world record of 12.12 set by Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan at the 2022 World Championships. Russell’s record-setting performance came with no wind advantage, making the accomplishment even more impressive.

The victory adds the world record to a résumé that already includes Olympic gold. Russell won the 100-meter hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming an Olympic champion in one of track and field’s most demanding events.

And now, she has reached another rare level of greatness.

Russell has now joined an elite group of athletes to hold both the Olympic title and the 100-meter hurdles world record, becoming the first woman to do so since Bulgaria’s Yordanka Donkova. She is also just the second American woman to hold the world record in the event, following Keni Harrison.

After more than four years, the 100mh record has a new owner—and it belongs to Bullis alumna Masai Russell ’18.

A Historic Night in Zurich

Russell’s record came on a remarkable night of track and field in Zurich. Just 40 minutes earlier, Brazil’s Alison dos Santos had set a world record in the men’s 400-meter hurdles. Russell then followed with her own record-breaking performance, making for an unforgettable evening at the Diamond League meet.

With one remarkable race, Russell added her name to the history books—and gave the Bullis community another reason to cheer.

But Russell isn't done dreaming. After her record-setting race, she suggested that with favorable wind conditions, she could potentially challenge the 12-second barrier.

“Why not say I think I can be the first one to run sub-12?” Russell said following the race.

From Bullis to the World Stage

Long before she was racing on the world's biggest stages, Russell was a Bulldog.

As a student at Bullis, she developed the speed, determination, and competitive spirit that would ultimately propel her to the highest levels of her sport. Since graduating in 2018, she has gone on to become a collegiate standout at the University of Kentucky, an NCAA record holder, a U.S. champion, an Olympic champion, and now a world-record holder.

Her latest achievement is another extraordinary chapter in a journey that the Bullis community has been honored to follow.

Congratulations, Masai! We are thrilled for you and inspired by all you continue to accomplish.

From the Bullis track to the Olympic podium to the top of the world-record books, you continue to show what is possible when talent, determination, and belief come together.

Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog.