If there is one athlete in track and field who’s got the hurdles game on lock, it’s Grant Holloway. This guy doesn’t just run races—he dominates them, stacking up wins like it’s nothing. We’re talking Olympic gold, world titles, and records that make your jaw drop. At just 27, Holloway’s already got the kind of résumé that makes you wonder how one athlete can be ‘this’ good, ‘this’ consistently. From the 110-meter hurdles to the indoor 60-meter, he’s the name everyone’s buzzing about, and for good reason—he’s rewriting the history books every time he steps on the track. So, when a legend like Justin Gatlin starts hyping him up, you know it’s real. But what’s got Gatlin so fired up about Holloway? Let’s dive in.
The context here is pure gold—an interaction with Rodney Green in his Ready Set Go podcast, Gatlin, a sprinting icon in his own right with Olympic and world championship hardware, couldn’t hold back his admiration for Holloway. As a former 100-meter Olympic champ and as someone who’s seen the sport’s highs and lows, Gatlin’s words carry weight. He’s not just a fan—he’s a witness to Holloway’s greatness, and he’s got the perspective to back it up. So, what exactly did Gatlin say that’s got everyone nodding in agreement? Let’s break it down.
Gatlin’s passion for Holloway spilled out like a victory lap, “I wish I was Grant Holloway, all we do is win, win, win, no matter what. That boy is the epitome of that song seriously,” he said, channeling some serious DJ Khaled vibes. He didn’t stop there, either. “And I say that because if you look at his resume, everything that he has already accomplished, he’s Mr. Hurdler, bro.” Gatlin’s pointing straight at Holloway’s insane track record.
But it’s not just the stats that got Gatlin hyped—it’s the respect from the OGs. “When you talk to legends in our sport—the David Oliver’s, Renaldo Nehemiah’s, the Allen Johnsons, Terrance Trammells—like when you ask them a question and say, hey who do you think the best hurdler is? All of them just say off the top, Grant Holloway is the best hurdler by far.” That’s unanimous praise from guys who’ve been there, done that—Oliver with his 2013 world title, Nehemiah, also known as “Skeets” with his former 110mh world record of 12.93s, and Trammell with his multiple world championship medals. Gatlin wrapped it up with a mic-drop: “To hear all of them say that very unanimously. It shows how rich his legacy already is and he’s not even retired yet.” Holloway’s still got years left, and he’s already the GOAT in their eyes. How does a guy this young rack up a legacy this stacked? That’s the million-dollar question
Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Men’s 110m Hurdles Round 1 – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 04, 2024. Grant Holloway of United States in action during heat 5 REUTERS/Phil Noble
Holloway’s Legacy Is Still in the Making
Well, Grant Holloway is building a legacy that’s already got the hurdling world buzzing, and he’s nowhere near done. This dude’s career is a highlight reel of pure dominance. Born November 19, 1997, in Chesapeake, Virginia, Holloway first turned heads at the University of Florida, where he racked up eight NCAA titles—becoming the first in collegiate history to become the first hurdler to win three straight indoor and outdoor high hurdle titles. He smashed the NCAA 60-meter hurdles record with a blistering 7.35 seconds in 2019.
Turning pro, he didn’t miss a beat—snagging his first world outdoor title in Doha 2019 with a 13.10, then defending it in Eugene 2022 (13.03) and Budapest 2023 (12.96). Add in an Olympic silver from Tokyo 2020 (13.09) and a gold from Paris 2024 (12.99), and you’ve got a guy who’s been a podium lock at every major championship since 2019. Oh, and his personal best? A ridiculous 12.81 from the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, making him the second-fastest 110-meter hurdler ever, just 0.01 off Aries Merritt’s world record. “The career Grand Slam is officially complete,” Holloway said after Paris, flexing his haul of indoor, outdoor, Diamond League, and Olympic golds. But how does he keep raising the bar indoors?
Now, let’s talk about Holloway’s indoor game, because it’s straight-up untouchable. The man owns the 60-meter hurdles like it’s his personal playground, holding the world record at 7.27 seconds, set at the 2024 U.S. Indoor Championships in Albuquerque. He’s been unbeatable in the event for over a decade—his last loss came as a high school sophomore in 2014. Holloway’s got three world indoor titles on lock: Belgrade 2022 (7.39), Glasgow 2024 (7.29), and Nanjing 2025 (7.42), making him the first hurdler to three-peat at that level.
“Every time I step on the race, I’m thinking about running 12.7,” he told NBC Sports before Nanjing, hinting at his outdoor world record dreams. With 11 sub-13-second 110-meter runs, tying legend Allen Johnson, Holloway’s already in elite company. And get this—he’s versatile, too, with a 100-meter PB of 10.21, a long jump best of 8.17 meters, and a high jump peak of 2.16 meters from his high school days. At 27, he’s still got gas in the tank. So, what’s next for a guy who’s already got the hardware and the hype?
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