STATS (By Ken Nakamura)
400m: South Africa’s Wayde Van Niekerk ran 43.48 to win the men’s 400m final, the fourth fastest time ever recorded at a world championships and a Chinese all-comers record. The other medalists, Lashawn Merritt and Kirani James, also went sub 44; the first time three men have done this in the same race. The best marks for place, in any competition, were set for 2nd, 3rd and 4th place. Lashawn Merritt won silver for a record fifth world medal over 400m. The next best is Michael Johnson with 4 medals, although the world record holder won all his finals while Merrit won two.
JT: Julius Yego’s 92.72 is the longest throw ever recorded in Asia. He won Kenya’s first world medal in this event and his winning margin of 3.73 is the largest in championships history with the current model. European champion Antti Ruuskanen threw 87.12 but only got 5th; it is the best throw ever for a 5th placed athlete in any competition. His Finnish compatriot Tero Pitkamaki won bronze, to become the first javelin thrower to complete the full medal set.
400mH: Zuzana Hejnova of the Czech Republic became the first women to successfully defend the world 400mH title. Two others have won the title twice: Jana Pittman and Nezha Bidouane.
PV: Yarisley Silva won Cuba’s first gold in the women’s pole vault. Bronze medalist Nikoléta Kiriakopoúlou won Greece’s first world medal in this event.
800m: Maryna Arzamasova’s heat time of 1:58.69 is the fastest ever in this round at a world championships.
W 200m: Dina Asher Smith won her heat in 22.22, the fastest heat time in world championships history.
M 200m: Justin Gatlin ran 19.87 to win his semi-final of the men’s 200m, the second fastest semi-winning time in championships history.
110mH: David Oliver now has the two fastest heat times in the 110mH at a world championships. He ran 13.05 in 2013 and 13.15 in 2015.
