Last year, the 23 year old competed for an NCAA title and qualified for the world championships as an underdog. "At the time, I was a nobody" she says. This completely changed. Her first season as a pro has been nothing short of sensational, climaxing in a new world record in London.
The Diamond League has become her home. With the final race taking place in the Letzigrund stadium Kendra Harisson can keep a clean slate. She started five times in the meeting series, five times she left the stadium as winner and with another 10 points on her account. The highlight was the London race where she broke Yordanka Donkova's 28 year old record by crossing the finishing line in 12.20 seconds.
Coming to terms with missing the Olympics
It was a successful but also an educational season. Just before running the world record she had missed the olympic qualification in Eugene where she finished in a disappointing 6th place.
This was her only defeat during the season so far. "I'm quite sure, this won't happen again", she's convinced. So she's come to terms in part and tries to look forward.
Kendra Harrison inspired by Sally Pearson
At the University of Kentucky she still trains as a professional with the athletes of the college team and claims this as part of her secret: "We push each other", she says, "when I have a bad day, I know the girls will give hundert percent to beat me." But she also likes to be a rolemodel: As an assistant coach she gives advice to the younger athletes.
She herself had a rolemodel, too. It was Olympic gold medalist from London, Sally Pearson, who's videos she studied with her coach, comparing it with her own material and learning from it. "This way I was able to improve my shape", said the American. She was also able to develop her own style: "Everyone has their own technique", she states in her own humble way.
Ambitions for the 400 meter hurdles
With her stupendous technique, she could also better her 400 meter hurdles best which currently stands at 54.09 seconds in the following years.
This would be a very special and seldom occasion seeing an athlete run both hurdle distances. No one should be suprised when the 1,63m tall athlete takes on the whole lap at next year's "Weltklasse Zürich" edition.
For now, everything is prepared for Kendra Harrison's moment in the spotlight when she gets onto the podium of Diamond Trophy winners and takes the next step in her already outstanding career.
