Clement upset in final
Two-time champ from La Porte falls to 3rd place in 400 hurdles
LONDON — On a cold and wet Wednesday night at the world championships, the biggest surprise came in the 400 hurdles when Karsten Warholm of Norway held off Turkey’s Yasmani Copello and twotime champion Kerron Clement of La Porte for gold.
The 21-year-old Warholm earned his first major title, and then looked up in amazement as the result showed on the giant screen.
Meanwhile, after five pushups to prove he has beaten a stomach virus, Isaac Makwala made the most of a belated chance to compete in the 200 meters and qualified for the final.
The runner from Botswana was first allowed to race alone on the track ahead of the evening session at the Olympic Stadium, two days after the other sprinters did so. He finished in 20.20 seconds, 0.33 seconds under the qualifying mark.
He was then given a tough assignment to reach the final, but despite the tight bend and the water puddles from the relentless rain in Lane 1, he powered through to qualify second from his heat in 20.14, just behind Isiah Young of the United States.
“Let’s not talk about what happened. Let’s talk about what is now,” Makwala said. “I’m happy the IAAF decided to make me run again. I’m happy to run again.”
The Botswanan was kept out of the 400 final by organizers on Tuesday because of the stomach virus. He also pulled out of the opening heats in the 200 on Monday because of illness.
After 48 hours of drama about whether Makwala would be allowed to run any more races at the championships, the IAAF made an exception and sent Makwala out on his own in driving rain Wednesday evening chasing a mark of 20.53 seconds.
In the women’s 400, it was Phyllis Francis of the United States who upset the favorites.
Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo looked poised to win gold until she slowed in the final meters, seemingly with pain in her right leg.
Salwa Eid Naser swept past Allyson Felix near the line and lunged for silver, ahead of the American veteran.