Shunsuke Izumiya placed fifth in the men's 110-meter hurdles final at the world athletics championships Monday for the best-ever result at a major international competition by a Japanese hurdler in the distance.
Grant Holloway of the United States won his third consecutive 110m hurdles title, holding up three fingers on each hand after crossing the line in 12.96 seconds on the third day of the championships in Budapest.
Jamaica's Hansle Parchment was second in 13.07 and American Daniel Roberts third in 13.09.
Izumiya, who became the first Japanese to reach the 110-meter hurdles final of the Olympics or world championships, clocked 13.19.
After the race, the 23-year-old said he started to cramp up in both calves while coming off the starting block, and then a bib stuck to his left hand.
"I panicked with those things," Izumiya said. "But I still wanted to get into contention and win a medal. It (the podium) seems to be close, but it's far. I realized, once again, that the top athletes come on strong at the right time."
Izumiya aims to earn a medal at next summer's Paris Olympics.
"I have to build up the physical strength and muscle strength to run three races (the heats, semifinals and final) well," he said.
In other action, Sha'Carri Richardson of the United States won the women's 100 meters in a championships record 10.65 seconds, ahead of two Jamaicans.
Shericka Jackson and five-time champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce finished second and third, respectively in 10.72 and 10.77.
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