RIO DE JANEIRO — Omar McLeod converted his season dominance of the 110-meter hurdles into an Olympic gold medal, a first for Jamaica in the event.
McLeod, the world indoor champion, gained the lead quickly and pulled away as he won in 13.05 seconds on Tuesday night.
Razorback Gold Medalists
Joe Kleine, Basketball: 1984
Alvin Robertson, Basketball: 1984
Mike Conley, Track & Field: 1992 (triple jump)
Veronica Campbell-Brown, Track & Field: 2004 and 2008 (200 meters)
Omar McLeod, Track & Field: 2016 (110 hurdles)
Cuban-born Orlando Ortega of Spain took silver in 13.17 seconds and Dimitri Bascou of France won bronze in 13.24.
The Jamaicans have dominated the men's 100-meter and 200-meter titles in the last decade, but had never previously produced a male athlete who converted that raw pace into an Olympic title over the sprint hurdles.
McLeod was a three-time NCAA individual champion at Arkansas before going pro following his sophomore year in 2015. He also part of the Razorbacks' NCAA-winning 400 meter relay team outdoors in 2015.
He is the fifth former Arkansas athlete to win an Olympic gold medal and first since Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown won the 200 meters for a second time in 2008. Mike Conley was the Razorbacks' last male to win gold 24 years ago.
McLeod won NCAA indoor titles in the 60 hurdles as a freshman and sophomore. He was injured during the 110 hurdles race outdoors his freshman year, but rebounded to win the race as a sophomore in 2015.
McLeod won in the 110 hurdles at the Jamaican national meet last year and won in the 60 hurdles at the world indoor championship earlier this year.