Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Cordell Tinch and Ditaji Kambundji are amongst those set for the third Slam
With thrilling stops in Kingston, Jamaica, and Miami, Florida, the Grand Slam Track league now shifts focus to its third event, the Philadelphia Slam, scheduled to take place from May 30 to June 1 at Franklin Field.
Launched by four-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson, the Grand Slam Track league has quickly built momentum. The Miami Slam drew sell-out crowds for two of its three days as it awarded another 12 new Slam Champions with $100,000 each.
The upcoming Philadelphia event promises even more excitement as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who won both previous Slams in the Long Hurdles (400m/400mH) is switching it up. The world record-holder will race in the women’s Short Hurdles group (100m/100mH). It will mark her first time racing in the 100m, and she boasts a personal best of 12.65 in the 100m hurdles, set back in May 2021.
The women’s Short Hurdles is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the Philadelphia meet, featuring a clash between three Slam Champions. McLaughlin-Levrone will face off against Miami Slam Champion Ackera Nugent and Kingston Slam Champion Danielle Williams.
Also entering the line-up is Swiss athlete Ditaji Kambundji, who will be making her Grand Slam Track debut. Already the 2025 European Indoor 60m hurdles champion and World Indoor silver medallist, Kambundji adds further depth to an already loaded field.
Meanwhile, a compelling rematch is set in the women’s Short Sprints Race Group, where Gabby Thomas will challenge her Miami rival Melissa Jefferson-Wooden once more. Jefferson-Wooden beat Thomas in Miami by just one point (18 to 17) to take the Slam title. Now, Thomas will be out for a second Slam win after previously claiming victory in the Long Sprints in Kingston.
On the men’s side, the Short Hurdles group will feature current world leader Cordell Tinch of the United States. Tinch turned heads at the Diamond League in Keqiao, China, on May 3, clocking an extraordinary 12.87 in the 110m hurdles, the fourth-fastest time in history, and taking the win over Japan’s Rachid Muratake.
Joining him in Philadelphia is Miami Slam champion Trey Cunningham. The 2022 World Championship silver medallist showed his fine form in Miami by matching his personal best of 13.00 in the 110m hurdles and setting a new 100m best of 10.17 to win both events and secure the Slam title.
Europe will also see two Challengers in the group. Poland’s Jakub Szymański, fresh off his gold at the 2025 European Indoor Championships, will compete, while Italy’s Lorenzo Simonelli, the reigning European champion in both the 110m hurdles and 4x100m relay, is set to make his Grand Slam Track debut.
