LONDON (July 23) – Dutch sensation Femke Bol set a new Area Record (AR), Diamond League Record (DLR), and Meeting Record (MR) in the women’s 400m hurdles at the Wanda Diamond League London 2023 meeting on Sunday (23).
Bol, the world silver medalist and Olympic bronze medalist, clocked an impressive 51.45 seconds to set a new European record, solidifying her position as the overwhelming favorite to win the gold medal in the women’s 400m hurdles at the upcoming world track and field championships in Budapest.
“Amazing, I cannot believe it yet,” Bol said. “To be honest, I felt really good at some points in the race, I tried not to think about the goal. I felt so strong coming over the last hurdle, so I’m really happy.
“I’ve been wanting to run a 51 ever since Tokyo, I had a feeling I could do it, but I still can’t believe I’ve done it,” she added.
Bol’s performance was another masterclass in race execution. The 23-year-old, running with confidence and freedom, dominated the race from the start, using her aggressive approach to open up a significant gap on the rest of the field. – Read more: How to watch the London Diamond League 2023, live results, start lists
This included the 2015 world silver medalist Shamier Little of the USA, who has been in excellent form this season and recently set a personal best of 49.68 seconds in the flat 400m at the Monaco Diamond League meeting. In the end, Little, the U.S. champion earlier this month, had to settle for third place in 53.76.
Janieve Russell of Jamaica, a two-time Commonwealth Games champion, finished just ahead of the American in second with a time of 53.75 seconds. Britain’s Jessie Knight, a three-time national champion, also had a strong run, equaling her personal best with a time of 54.09 seconds.
“It was a pretty good race, but I messed up towards the end,” Russell said. “I wanted to go faster, either 53 low or match my personal best, but my last part needs some tightening up.
“I’ve got a couple of weeks before the World Championships to work on it and hopefully come out with a personal best or a podium finish.”
Bol’s record-breaking run today comes as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the USA’s world record holder and reigning world and Olympic champion, announced recently that she will only concentrate on the flat 400m in Budapest.
This decision leaves the field wide open for Bol, who has been in scintillating form this season, to go for the gold medal.
Meanwhile, Bol continues to be leading the Diamond League Qualifiers standing after 5 of 7 qualification meetings with 32 points.
Wanda Diamond League 400m Hurdles Women event held in London on 23rd July 2023:
- Femke Bol (NED) – 51.45 (AR, DLR, MR)
- Janieve Russell (JAM) – 53.75
- Shamier Little (USA) – 53.76
- Rushell Clayton (JAM) – 53.97
- Jessie Knight (GBR) – 54.09 (=PB)
- Viktoriya Tkachuk (UKR) – 54.25 (SB)
- Anna Ryzhykova (UKR) – 54.53 (SB)
- Gianna Woodruff (PAN) – 55.52
Legend:
- AR: Area Record
- DLR: Diamond League Record
- MR: Meeting Record
- PB: Personal Best
- SB: Season Best
- =PB: Equal Personal Best
Here is the world’s top list for the women’s 400m hurdles
