Qatar’s Abderrahaman Samba (right) is congratulated by French athlete Ludvy Vaillant after he won the men’s 400m hurdles heat-three of the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London yesterday.
Abderrahaman Samba of Qatar easily made it to the men’s 400 metres hurdles final of the IAAF World Championships after winning the third heat at the London Stadium in London, Britain yesterday.
The 22-year-old sprint star clocked 48.75 seconds to comfortably book his berth in tomorrow’s final, while US star Kerron Clement (48.35 secs) and his team-mate T J Holmes (49.12 secs.) won their respective heats to join Samba in the final.
Today, at the London Stadium, Qatar’s Abdalelah Haroun will compete along with the world record holder Wayde van Niekerk in the men’s 400 metres final.
Earlier yesterday, South African athletics star van Niekerk set out on his bid to win the 200 metres world title in impressive fashion yesterday, easing into the semi-finals just 24 hours before he runs in the 400m final.
The 25-year-old -- who broke the 400m world record in winning Olympic gold last year -- is hoping to emulate American legend Michael Johnson in 1995 by winning 200m and 400m world gold.
Van Niekerk eased up considerably in the straight and enjoyed a playful duel with British runner Daniel Talbot -- exchanging grins and then shaking hands just as they crossed the line.
Van Niekerk was joined in the semis by team-mate Akani Simbine, a 100m finalist.
Botswana’s Isaac Makwala, though, will not attempt the double as the 31-year-old opted to sit out the 200m, missing his heat seemingly to save himself for Tuesday’s 400m final.
In his absence, 19-year-old Zambian Sydney Siame caught the eye pulling away from an experienced field to win in a national record of 20.39sec, sending a Zambian supporter in the crowd into a rapturous bout of dancing.
While he left with a beaming smile there was only a scowl from Jamaica’s Warren Weir, the 27-year-old Olympic and world medallist could only finish fourth behind Siame and failed to progress as one of the fastest losers.
His compatriot, the 2011 100m world champion Yohan Blake looked strong in his first round heat, storming round the bend before easing up, while marking himself down as a contender.
Another of Turkey’s imports from abroad, Azerbaijan-born Ramil Guliyev booked his place in the semi-finals with an impressive win in his heat ahead of American Ameer Webb.
