Report14 Jul 2017


Report: boys' 400m – IAAF World U18 Championships Nairobi 2017

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Antonio Watson after winning the 400m at the IAAF World U18 Championships Nairobi 2017 (© Getty Images)

Charging through the field down the home straight, Antonio Watson of Jamaica grabbed the gold medal in a thrilling boys' 400m final on Wednesday evening at the IAAF World U18 Championships Nairobi 2017.

While another Jamaican athlete, Anthony Cox, and Brazil's Bruno da Silva were neck-and-neck at the front of the field off the top bend, they both faded as a trio of sprinters chased them down to scoop the podium places.

Watson snatched the title in 46.59, crossing the line 0.13 ahead of Guyana's Daniel Williams (46.72).

Colby Jennings of the Turks and Caicos Islands ended third in 46.77 in a blanket finish, with all three of the medallists achieving personal bests.

"I feel very nice,” said Watson. “The race was good – as was the field – and the crowd was vibrant.

"I have been working very hard the whole season. I listened to the coach and followed the instructions."

Cox, who entered the race with the fastest time in the field this year with his 46.53 performance in the heats earlier in the week, was credited with the same time as Jennings but had to settle for fourth position. Da Silva faded to sixth place in 47.15.

With just 0.18 separating the top four finishers, it was the closest boys’ 400m final in World U18 Championships history.

Wesley Botton for the IAAF

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