Olympic 100m hurdles champion and world record holder Masai Russell is engaged to her longtime partner, Robbie Springfield, capping a remarkable 2026 season with a major personal milestone.Russell announced the engagement on Friday, 2 October, sharing the news with a heartfelt message: “I get to be with my best friend forever.”Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe couple met as college athletes at the University of Kentucky, where both competed in track and field. Russell went on to establish herself as one of the world's leading hurdlers, while Springfield pursued a career in coaching after a successful collegiate career as a long jumper.Springfield is currently an assistant track and field coach at Morehead State University, where he works primarily with the jumps and sprints groups. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9999945##He was an All-American at Kentucky and competed in the long jump at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships.Their relationship has remained a source of support for Russell throughout her rise to the top of the sport. In 2024, Russell spoke openly about Springfield's role during a difficult period early in her professional career, when she was competing without a sponsor.Russell credited him with helping her regain perspective during that period, particularly when she struggled with the pressure surrounding her professional future.Kenyan veteran breaks World Record in SpainThe couple have also shared glimpses of their relationship away from the track. In a 2024 profile, Springfield described Russell as “relentless, passionate, hungry,” while Russell said her life outside athletics was an important part of who she was beyond competition.The engagement comes after Russell produced the finest season of her career.The 26-year-old American broke the women's 100m hurdles world record at the Weltklasse Zürich Diamond League meeting on 27 August, clocking 12.09 seconds to lower Tobi Amusan's previous mark of 12.12 set in 2022.Russell then secured her first Diamond League Final title in Brussels on 5 September winning in 12.20 seconds. The victory was followed by another major triumph at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, where she won the 100m hurdles in 12.22 seconds on 11 September.Jepkosgei sets course record as Kenya secures double victory in Cardiff Half MarathonHer Budapest victory was Russell's 14th win of the 2026 season, extending her unbeaten run across the year.Russell's emergence as a global sprint-hurdles powerhouse began with her Olympic triumph at the Paris 2024 Games, where she won the 100m hurdles gold medal in 12.33 seconds. WADA boss in Kenya as country steps up fight against dopingShe has since continued to build on that success, culminating in her world-record season in 2026.Now, after a season in which she conquered the track and rewrote the world record books, Russell is celebrating another significant milestone away from competition.