Masai Russell’s Rival Reveals Ignoring Achilles Injury Warning Signs Before Devastating Setback

Tia Jones was hoping to get revenge on Masai Russell after narrowly losing to her at the Grand Slam Track meeting in Miami in May 2025. Russell won the 100m hurdles in 12.17 seconds, just 0.02 seconds ahead of Jones, who clocked 12.19. But when the two met again at the 50th Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, on July 5, 2025, things took a painful turn for Jones. She suffered an Achilles injury during the race and failed to finish, while Russell placed fourth in 12.50 seconds.