After crossing the line to win the women’s 400m Hurdles, Kori Carter kept applauding herself for a job well done, surprisingly taking GOLD ahead of the likes of Dalilah Muhammad and Zuzana Hejnova at the World Championships in London.
It was a performance that produced an American 1-2 podium placement, with Carter and Muhammad taking GOLD and Silver respectively, while Jamaica got Bronze from the event.
Muhammad went out strongly, closing the gap on others, but Carter did not wilt under pressure from the Olympic Champion, holding on strongly after the last barrier to win in 53.07s.
Carter, who ran from Lane 9, joined the likes of Kenya’s Nicholas Bett who two years ago, was the surprise winner of the men’s 400m Hurdles, running from the outside lane.
Muhammad didn’t have any more steam left coming out of the bend, and couldn’t accelerate as she would have wanted to, settling for 2nd place in 53.50s, while Jamaica’s Ristananna Tracey ran the race of her life to out-run defending champion Hejnova in the last 50m, clocking a lifetime best of 53.74s to finish 3rd.
“I am on top of the world right now. What a blessing to be World Champion. This is just an incredible feeling like I have never experienced,” an excited Carter said after her win.
Muhammad on her part, said she wasn’t so disappointed at not winning the race: “I really wanted to win, of course, but I’ve had so many ups and downs this season. To come out with a Silver, I’m proud of that.
“I always go out to win, but I’m just happy to even get on the podium – it’s been a shaky year. I’ve enjoyed competing here, the fan support has been amazing,” Muhammad added.
