Matthew Hudson-Smith narrowly beat American Quincy Hall for gold in a dramatic men’s 400m final at the Paris Olympics.
Hudson-Smith led in the final straight, but Hall fought back to beat the Briton by 0.04 seconds, with Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga taking bronze.
Hall had never won a major individual track title before, and Hudson-Smith was visibly frustrated at being beaten, as he had the fastest time in the event this year.
Hudson-Smith, who won silver at last year’s world championships, ran a national record of 43.44 seconds, just behind Hall’s 44.40 seconds.
He hopes to become the first British champion in the men’s 400m since Eric Liddell won the men’s 400m title at the 1924 Paris Olympics 100 years ago.
“Sometimes the journey is better than the outcome and it’s been one hell of a journey,” Hudson-Smith told the outlet. British Broadcasting Corporation.
“I’m just grateful. I won an Olympic silver medal. Not many people in the world can say that.
Quincy Hall beats Matthew Hudson-Smith in the men’s 400m
“I’ve been a bridesmaid twice. My time is coming, so I’m happy and I’m grateful.
“I saw my family. I didn’t even know they were here! It was so shocking. I hate them looking at me too. My mom and dad don’t really look at me because they hate it, just They looked at it like I hated it.
“It’s crazy that they’re here, it’s been one hell of a ride.”
It was the second night in a row that Team GB athletes were beaten by the Americans at the Stade de France, following Josh Kerr’s loss to Cole Hocker in the men’s 1500m, which was equally thrilling. .
Matthew Hudson-Smith says ‘grateful’ after winning first Olympic medal
Hudson-Smith said he had no idea Hall had caught up with him in the final 50 meters, although he appeared to glance at the stadium screens.
“I started exactly as the coach told me. We knew the race would go down to the last 50 metres,” he added.
“He had another gear and I pressed it too late and when he came up he stepped on me again.
“But, this is just the beginning. My time will come, it’s just a matter of time.”
What else is happening in athletics?
Elsewhere on the track on Wednesday, Britain’s Amber Anning qualified for the women’s 400m with a personal best time.
Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke also reached the final, but this year’s best women’s 400m runner, Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce and Britain’s Victoria O Victoria Ohuruogu and Laviai Nielsen were both eliminated.
American Noah Lyles was still on track to complete the men’s 100m and 200m sprint double, but he finished second in the semifinals and looked far from his best.
Noah Lyles wins bronze in men’s 200m in Tokyo
Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali successfully defended her men’s 3000m steeplechase title after a dramatic final lap.
American Kenneth Rooks led on the final lap but took silver, while Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwot took bronze.
Australia’s Nina Kennedy won gold in the women’s pole vault final, beating defending Olympic champion Katie Moon of the United States with a season-best height of 4.90m, while Canada’s Ellie Alysha Newman won the bronze medal with a new national record of 4.85m.
Jamaica’s Roje Stona won gold in the men’s event, beating Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna for silver.
Australian player Matthew Denny was one point better than the Tokyo player and won the bronze medal.
