In a groundbreaking performance, Jess Hull has made history by becoming the first Australian woman to qualify for the world championship 800m final, achieving this feat in Tokyo on Friday. Despite racing through her semi-final with a bandage on her leg covering a wound, Hull managed to set a new national record, finishing third but advancing as one of the two fastest qualifiers. This achievement broke the previous record set merely a month ago by her teammate Claudia Hollingsworth, who finished fourth in the same semi-final.
The day also saw standout performances from athletes in various events. Portugal’s Pedro Pichardo leaped to victory in the men’s triple jump final, executing a remarkable final jump of 17.91m that secured him the gold. Italy’s Andrea Dallavalle took silver with a jump of 17.64m, while Cuba’s Lazaro Martinez clinched bronze. Following the final, Pichardo jovially declared his supremacy to the camera, “Who is the best, baby?”
In the men’s 400m hurdles, Rai Benjamin faced a disqualification after crossing the finish line first. However, his gold medal was quickly reinstated after an appeal, restoring his title as a world champion. Meanwhile, the Netherlands’ Femke Bol showcased her dominance in the women’s 400m hurdles, finishing with a world-leading time of 51.54 seconds, while American Jasmine Jones earned silver and Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalova took bronze.
The 200m finals featured a fierce competition as American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden nabbed gold with a time of 21.68 seconds, marking the best time of the year. In a surprising turn, British athlete Amy Hunt, who initially struggled out of the blocks, surged across the finish line to secure silver, finishing with a personal best of 22.14 seconds.
In the men’s 200m final, Noah Lyles continued to impress, clinching gold with a swift 19.52 seconds. This victory marks a significant achievement for Lyles, as it equates to his fourth world championship title in this event, tying him with the legendary Usain Bolt.
The heptathlon also saw remarkable performances, as Ireland’s O’Connor notched her third personal best of the day, while Spain’s Vicente emerged victorious in one of the 200m heats. Notably, the 5000m races saw Jakob Ingebrigtsen scrape through to qualify for the final, displaying resilience amid earlier struggles.
The day concluded with thrilling races and record-setting performances, as athletes from different nations showcased their continued pursuit of excellence in the realm of athletics.
