The men's 110m hurdles promises to be one of the most fiercely contested sprint events of Birmingham 2026, with barely anything separating a deep field of established championship performers and rapidly emerging talent.
France's Just Kwaou-Mathey heads the entry lists with 13.20, but Switzerland's Jason Joseph, Austria's Enzo Diessl, former European champion Asier Martínez of Spain and Poland's Jakub Szymański are all firmly in contention.
European record – Colin Jackson (GBR) 12.91
European lead – Michael Obasuyi (BEL) 13.10
Championship record – Colin Jackson (GBR) 13.02
Roma 2024 medallists
- Lorenzo Simonelli (ITA), 13.05
- Enrique Llopis (ESP), 13.16
- Jason Joseph (SUI), 13.43
Five names to watch
- Just Kwaou-Mathey (FRA)
- Jason Joseph (SUI)
- Enzo Diessl (AUT)
- Asier Martínez (ESP)
- Jakub Szymański (POL)
Just Kwaou-Mathey arrives in Birmingham at the head of the entries after running 13.20 this season.
The Frenchman has become something of a serial bronze medallist, finishing third at the Munich 2022 European Athletics Championships as well as at the World Athletics Indoor Championships and twice at the European Athletics Indoor Championships.
With defending champion Lorenzo Simonelli absent, Birmingham presents Kwaou-Mathey with a golden opportunity to finally climb to the top step of a major championship podium.
Jason Joseph also knows all about European championship medals. The Swiss record-holder took bronze in Rome two years ago and won European indoor gold in 2023.
He remains firmly among the continent's elite, with his 13.24 this season putting him second on the entry lists, while his 13.07 lifetime best demonstrates just how dangerous he can be at his very best.
Austria's Enzo Diessl could be ready to make the leap from outstanding prospect to senior championship medallist.
A European U20 and European U23 champion, the 22-year-old has lowered his lifetime best to 13.17 and arrives in Birmingham with a season's best of 13.25, putting him right among the leading contenders.
Poland's Jakub Szymański arrives with perhaps the strongest recent championship credentials of all. The reigning world indoor and European indoor champion thrilled his home supporters by claiming the global title in Toruń in March.
He has not yet quite managed to translate his brilliance indoors to the outdoor hurdles, but Birmingham could provide the breakthrough.
Then there is the Spanish challenge.
Asier Martínez enjoyed a spectacular 2022 campaign, winning the European title in Munich shortly after claiming world bronze in Eugene. He has endured a more difficult road since, but a 13.27 season's best suggests he is again approaching the level required to challenge Europe's finest.
A proven championship racer with a 13.14 lifetime best, Martínez cannot be discounted.
Spain also boasts another formidable contender in Enrique Llopis, the silver medallist behind Szymański at the World Athletics Indoor Championships.
The runner-up to Simonelli in Rome two years ago, Llopis owns a 13.09 personal best and has run 13.31 this season. After coming so close to European gold in 2024, he returns looking to climb one step higher on the podium.