byLarry EderWell, this was a hot one! The battle between Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Salwa Eid Naser came down to the final fifty meters. Shaunae Miller-Uibo is undefeated at 200 meters and 400 meters in 2018. Salwa Eid Naser has had a brilliant series of 400 meters, taking on all comers and leaving a wake of fine athletes behind her.
Shaunae Miller-Uibo, photo by PhotoRun.net
The 400 meters in Monaco was a fantastic race, pushing both fine athletes to their limits. Shaunae Miller-Uibo had a swift 200 meters, with Salwa Eid Naser building her race. The two fine runners came close to even at 300 meters, and as the rest of the field fell back, the two fine athletes battled on. Salwa Eid Naser began her charge to the finish. Naser has this very precise finish, keeping her form, pumping her arms, lifting her legs as she has, in the past, runs past her competitors.
Salwa Eid Naser, photo by PhotoRun.net
That was not happening today.
Shaunae Miller-Uibo came alive with one hundred meters to go, and took off her last fifty meters. Remember her win in Rabat last week, where Shauane Miller-Uibo overcame Dina Asher-Smith over 200 meters in the last fifty meters? Shaunae Miller-Uibo charged down the straight, with Salwa Eid Naser in tow.
The results? Shaunae Miller-Uibo won the 400 meters in 48.97, the ninth fastest 400 meters of all time. The last time a sub 49 second was run was in 2009 and by Sanya Richards-Ross! Salwa Eid Naser set a NR, for Bahrian, in 49.08, and Shaunae Miller-Uibo ran 48.97, a NR for the Bahamas.
Both athletes show their class.
Shaunae Miller-Uibo told the media: “
I got this sub 49 I was waiting for, so Im very happy, although also very tired. The crowd here is amazing, Naser was doing a great race and that helped too. You know it was my only 4th race over the 400 m this season. We are trying with my coach different racing strategies. This was faster first 200 m or something like that. Next goal is to remain consistent on this level and long term another barrier that is 48 seconds.”
Salwa Eid Naser told the media after the race: “It was really fun to compete against Shaunae for the first time this year! We were both unbeaten under 50 and now Im aiming for the DL trophy and the Asian Games! So good to break the Asian record!”
To see the race in all of its power:
