ESPOO, Finland (July 13) — The European U23 Athletics Championships saw some quality first-round performances in the men’s 400m race, with the likes of Håvard Bentdal Ingvaldsen, and Attila Molnár among the highlighted performers in the morning session on the first day of track and field competition.
Hungary’s Attila Molnár led the pack as the top qualifier, clocking a solid 45.86 seconds to win heat three this morning.
He was followed by Italy’s Lorenzo Benati and Norway’s Håvard Bentdal Ingvaldsen, who recorded times of 45.96 and 46.12 seconds to win their respective heats, securing their places in the semi-finals among the three fastest times today with a lot left in the reserve.
Ireland’s Jack Raftery, Portugal’s Omar ElKhatib, and Switzerland’s Lionel Spitz, who won the fourth heat, were also among the top qualifiers, recording times of 46.20 (SB), 46.22, and 46.29 seconds respectively. – Read more: European Athletics U23 Championships: Keely Hodgkinson eased into 400m semis
Norway’s Andreas Grimerud and Romania’s Mihai Sorin Dringo also qualified, finishing third in their respective heats.
Meanwhile, Håvard Bentdal Ingvaldsen, the top European this season, across all age groups, revealed that he would love to achieve the accolades his fellow Norway countryman and idol Karsten Warholm has accomplished so far in his career.
“I would love to be like Karsten Warholm one day – he is my idol,” he said.
Who also qualified for the men’s 400m semifinal?
The fastest times outside the top three in each heat were recorded by Lithuania’s Tomas Keršulis (46.47 seconds), Spain’s Bernat Erta (46.63 seconds), Spain’s Markel Fernandez (46.67 seconds), and Netherlands’ Jonas Phijffers (46.90 seconds). These athletes advanced to the semi-finals as the next four fastest runners.
The semi-finals will take place in the afternoon session later today, with places in the final up for grabs. The athletes will aim to break the championship record of 45.02 seconds set by Switzerland’s Ricky Petrucciani in 2021.
The European U23 Athletics Championships in Espoo, Finland, will run from July 12-16, 2023.
Here are the results from the first round of the men’s 400m race at the European Athletics U23 Championships:
- Attila Molnár (HUN) – Heat 3, Position 1, Time: 45.86
- Lorenzo Benati (ITA) – Heat 1, Position 1, Time: 45.96
- Håvard Bentdal Ingvaldsen (NOR) – Heat 2, Position 1, Time: 46.12
- Jack Raftery (IRL) – Heat 1, Position 2, Time: 46.20 (SB)
- Omar ElKhatib (POR) – Heat 3, Position 2, Time: 46.22
- Lionel Spitz (SUI) – Heat 4, Position 1, Time: 46.29
- Andreas Grimerud (NOR) – Heat 1, Position 3, Time: 46.39
- Mihai Sorin Dringo (ROU) – Heat 3, Position 3, Time: 46.40
- Tomas Keršulis (LTU) – Heat 1, Position 4, Time: 46.47
- Riccardo Meli (ITA) – Heat 4, Position 2, Time: 46.54
- Luca Sito (ITA) – Heat 2, Position 2, Time: 46.61
- Bernat Erta (ESP) – Heat 1, Position 5, Time: 46.63
- Markel Fernandez (ESP) – Heat 3, Position 4, Time: 46.67
- Ludovic Ouceni (FRA) – Heat 2, Position 3, Time: 46.70
- Ernő Steigerwald (HUN) – Heat 4, Position 3, Time: 46.78
- Jonas Phijffers (NED) – Heat 4, Position 4, Time: 46.90
- Daniel Sołtysiak (POL) – Heat 3, Position 5, Time: 46.99
- Brodie Young (GBR) – Heat 2, Position 4, Time: 46.99
- Mykyta Barabanov (UKR) – Heat 3, Position 6, Time: 47.15
- Emil Johansson (SWE) – Heat 2, Position 5, Time: 47.18
- Callum Baird (IRL) – Heat 4, Position 5, Time: 47.26
- Ilyas Çanakçı (TUR) – Heat 2, Position 6, Time: 47.32
- Isaya Klein Ikkink (NED) – Heat 1, Position 6, Time: 47.42
- Kubilay Ençü (TUR) – Heat 1, Position 7, Time: 47.44
- Sorin Alexandru Voinea (ROU) – Heat 4, Position 6, Time: 47.49
- Manuel Bea (ESP) – Heat 2, Position 7, Time: 47.57
- Artūrs Pastors (LAT) – Heat 3, Position 7, Time: 47.60
- Oğuzhan Kaya (TUR) – Heat 4, Position 7, Time: 47.76
- Ivan Galuşco (MDA) – Heat 3, Position 8, Time: 48.01
- Probo Benvenuti (SMR) – Heat 1, Position 8, Time: 49.05 (PB)
PB: Personal Best SB: Season Best
The first 3 in each heat (Q) and the next 4 fastest (q) advance to the Semi-Finals.
Full results and report here
PB: Personal Best SB: Season Best
The first 3 in each heat (Q) and the next 4 fastest (q) advance to the Semi-Finals.
