In a night where the U.S. won three gold medals in thirty minutes, the 400 meter hurdles showed that this is a world championships and reputations be damned. In the end, European Champion, Dai Greene of Great Britain just earned a huge amount of respect.
Dai Greene won the 2010 European championships last year over 400 meter hurdles. Anyone who watched the guy this year knew he was going to be very tough. He was racing against LJ Van Zyl all season. His victory at AVIVA Birmingham on July 10, in 48.20 showed he was ready to race.
Javier Culson, 2011 WC 400m hurdles, silver medalist, photo by PhotoRun.net
Bershawn Jackson, 2011 WC 400m hurdles, sixth place, photo by PhotoRun.net
Angelo Taylor, 2011 WC 400m hurdles, seventh place, photo by PhotoRun.net
Bershawn Jackson was running okay, but as he came off the final straight, he ran out of gas, and finished in sixth in 49.24.
The young South African, Cornel Frederick finished fifth, running 49.12, he should be a contender in future years.
As the hurdlers hit the 300 meter mark, Javier Culson was leading, LJ Van Zyl was in second and Felix Sanchez was in third.
Then comes Dai Greene, coming off the turn, he was fourth, then he was third, then he moved into second and he caught Culson just before the last hurdle. Once he got passed the last hurdle, he just sprinted to the finish, taking the title in 48.26. Javier Culson of Puerto Rico, took the silver in 48.44. LJ Van Zyl of South Africa held on to take the bronze in 48.87. Charging into fourth, Felix Sanchez of the Domincan Republic, showed that hurdlers could be around for a few more years, as the 34 year old former world champion ran 49.12.
This was Dai Greene’s race, and he gave Great Britain it’s first gold medal of the games, and a bit of an upset at that.
Bershawn Jackson and Angelo Taylor will shake their heads and figure out to count Dai Greene in the mix for London 2012. He will not a be a surprise anymore.