Warholm wins 400M hurdles

Karsten Warholm remains the man to beat in the 400-meter hurdles ahead of next year’s Olympics after defending his world championship at Doha, while Qatar celebrated the host nation’s first medal.

The Norwegian hurdler donned a Viking-style horned helmet to celebrate winning in 47.42 seconds. He briefly had looked capable of challenging Kevin Young’s 27-year-old world record but faded on the final turn.

Abderrahman Samba delighted the Qataris in the sparse crowd with bronze behind Rai Benjamin of the United States.

Once again at these poorly attended championships, the day’s showpiece final was run in front of rows of empty seats.

Kenyan and Ethiopian fans made by far the most noise of the evening for the men’s 5,000 final but left when the distance events finished. Muktar Edris repeated as world champion ahead of fellow Ethiopian Selemon Barega. It was the Kenyans’ turn to cheer in the women’s 3,000 steeplechase as Beatrice Chepkoech won with Emma Coburn second for the U.S.

Russia’s team of officially neutral athletes celebrated a second gold thanks to a third consecutive world title for high jumper Mariya Lasitskene.