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Newly crowned World 400m champion Salwa Eid Naser said she didn’t know how fast she was going until after the race.

Naser, 21, ran the third-fastest female 400m runner in history to win gold on Thursday’s 7th day of the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar.

The time, 48.14s, pushed Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo back into second place. Miller-Uibo’s time 48.37 is a NACAC Area Record.
Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson also ran a lifetime best 49.47 for bronze.

Below Salwa Eid Naser (BRN) Press Conference Quotes:

On how it felt during the race:
“I wasn’t really feeling anything. I didn’t really know how fast I was going but crossing the line I saw that I ran a very fast time, I was so excited, I couldn’t believe it.”

On if this is a new era in 400m running, and if it’s going to take times under 48.50 times to win the world title:
“Every year someone pops-up so it is possible, we are gonna need faster times than this.”

On if she expected that time to come so early in her career:
“My coach always said ‘you are gonna run really fast’ and I used to laugh. To be frank, I never expected that fast time. I was training hard but he kept talking to me, he never let me down. I didn’t think I would run that fast, but I thank God he never gave up on me and supporting me.”

Naser said To be frank, I never expected that fast time in Doha 2019
DOHA, QATAR – OCTOBER 03: Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain celebrates winning the Women’s 400 Metres final during day seven of 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at Khalifa International Stadium on October 03, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for IAAF)

On the difficulties she faced this season and how she managed to get back on top:
“I was dealing with a lot of things. I missed two Diamond League races and coming back here and winning and running this fast time means a lot. I never doubted for myself.”

On her previous experience in Khalifa at the Asian Championships and how it helped her:
“When we were doing our planning in the beginning of the season I said he was crazy because I would run 200m, 400m, 4X100m, 4X400m, the mixed relay, it was too much. I also run the mixed relay here, so he was preparing me for this day and also since I knew this track I had a lot of confidence and didn’t have doubts because I was here before.”

On if she considers her time, the fastest legal performance in history:
“You tell me. Running with these amazing ladies, I don’t think I would have done it alone. Especially against Shaunae Miller-Uibo, I always run for the best because she is a really strong athlete. I think they really pushed me to get this time.”

On who was her role model and the impact her win will have to young athletes in Bahrain:
Allyson Felix. I see similarities. I was really looking up to her, and I still look up to her, she’s an amazing athlete. Having giving birth, she came back doing what she has to do best.
“Back in Bahrain, kids will look up to me.”

On the last 100m of today’s race:
“I wasn’t really looking if someone was beside me. I was just going and pushing so hard to finish; it was on replay that I saw she was behind me. It was amazing because I used to chase her, now I was being chased.

On how she was feeling after running two more rounds on the previous day with the mixed relay team:
“Running with the relay was crazy, but I knew I could continue with the 400m. Of course, I got tired. I had to compete against the fastest in the world, but I was confident. My coach talked to me; he told me what to do, he got me motivated.”

On if she expected that time:
“No, to win yes, but I was not expecting that time.”

On if the rivalry with Miller-Uibo will propel her towards the world record:
“Whenever I run with this fast lady, I always run fast times. Running this race really motivated me a lot. I keep my fingers crossed for the Olympics; I hope I will keep on improving.”

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