Abderrahman Samba with the Qatar Olympic Committee Chairman, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, after winning the hosts’ first medal at the IAAF Doha Worlds, yesterday. Pictures: Abdul basit / The Peninsula
The much-anticipated men’s 400 hurdles final last night had spectators on their feet at the Khalifa International Stadium, and Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba did not let the home fans down.
Although the star athlete did not win the race, he still managed to clinch first medal for the hosts at the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, winning a bronze medal.
Samba’s rivals, Karsten Warholm of Norway successfully defended his title with a run of 47.42 while American sensation Rai Benjamin claimed a silver medal on his debut at worlds, finishing the race in 47.66.
Samba, whose build up for the worlds was marred by injury, recovered well in the last to clock 48.03 and earn first medal for the home side.
“I think I cannot explain this feeling today because it’s amazing. I know third place was not my (desired) place but I say thank you God because three days ago I was not sure to compete or not. This season was very hard for me because I had a lot of injuries. I say thank you God because I’m here tonight and I celebrate with this medal,” Samba said after winning Qatar’s first medal at the home Championships.
“Actually, I started to prepare for next season now because I’m happy with the medal but I’m not happy with the place. I’m gonna prepare myself for next season now,” Samba said.
Warholm, ran in the final differently to his normal approach, holding back through the back straight rather than going out hard. Samba, who was behind till the last moment, finished well after a well-judged race.
“It’s very easy to say that you knew (I would win) afterwards. I wanna say it too, but I wasn’t too sure, to be honest. This was a very tough race. I actually felt my heart was going to stop, it’s no joke! I actually had pain in my chest, thinking I’m gonna die but it’s gonna be worth it. And here I am, world champion and I’m not dead either,” Warholm said after his victory.
“This is only the beginning. I’m very lucky to win. In the future, these guys are going to be even tougher to beat so tomorrow I’ve gotta get up and work again. That’s what I love, always one more,” he said.
“It’s very hard to describe. Norway is a small country, we put a lot of glory in our sport. For me to be showing up at the world stage, it’s better than anything else,” the winner said.
Kenya’s Chepkoech marks championships record to win gold
In the women’s 3,000 steeplechase, there was no match to Kenya’s world record holder, Beatrice Chepkoech, who demolished the field to win a gold medal.
Chepkoech, who ran 8:57.84 to make new world championships record, got off to a fast start and build lead right from the beginning. The Kenyan missed a medal at 2017 Worlds after taking a wrong turn and a wide berth round the water jump.
“I was cited to be in front and controlled. I am glad to improve the championships record because I knew the time Emma Coburn from London so I really wanted to break CR today,” said Chepkoech after winning the race.
“I want to dedicate this medal to my parents – my dad and mum.”
The opening kilometers lead made it easy for the Kenyan to overcome America’s defending champion Emma Coburn, who finished with her personal best time of 9:02.35 to secure a silver medal.
“I am super proud that I have come away with the medals in the last three championships. As long I am fighting for those, I am super happy,” said Coburn.
Germany’s Gesa Krause took bronze medal after clocking 9:03.30 – a national record.
Lyles into men’s 200m final
World leader Noah Lyles yesterday looked a little out of sorts, but still finished the men’s 100m semi-final with quickest time of 19.86. Ecuador’s Alex Quinonez just finished behind the USA star with a time of 19.95.
“I am calm and happy with my time in the semi-finals. The focus is on the final, one race at a time,” said Quinonez.
Canada’s Andre de Grasse also qualified for tonight’s final but Jamaica’s Yohan Blake, clocking 20.37, failed to go through.
In the men’s 110m hurdles heats, this year’s Diamond League champion Orlando Ortega of Spain was fastest with a time of 13.15, followed by Jamaica’s Omar Mcleod (13.17) and USA’s Grant Holloway (13.22).
Qatar’s Kenza Sosse, participating in the women’s 400m heats, failed to advance after finishing the race in 1:06.76. USA’s Wadeline Jonathas (50.57), Botswana’s Galefele Moroko (50.59) and Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser (50.74) took the first three positions respectively.
