WC / Day Nine, Terrific Performances Capstone Outstanding World Champs

This is the last story from David Hunter on the WC Budapest 2023. We will be posting a compilation of all stories by all of our writers for WC, posting on the nightly newsletter by runblogrun and also on Coaching  Athletics’s special newsletter.

WC / Day Nine
Terrific Performances Capstone Outstanding World Champs

2023 World Athletics Championships
Budapest, Hungary
August 27th, 2023

Reflection is in order on the ninth day of a glorious World Championships here in Budapest. We have witnessed outstanding performances here by the athletes who have cultivated world-class skills; have made countless sacrifices, trained properly and consistently, and have delivered in the moment. But consider this: Budapest and all the organizations involved in presenting this multi-faceted, 9-day Championship and all surrounding it have also done the same. Congrats to all who have made this unforgettable nine days so special.

wHJ – Final: This field event proved to be one of the most riveting events of the day. With all jumps at the 1.97m bar completed, only four jumpers remained: Ukraine’s Yaroslavl Mahuchikh, Australia’s Eleanor Patterson, Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers, and Great Britain’s Morgan Lake. At 1.99m. Mahuchikh and Peterson cleared on their first attempts; Olyslagers went clear on her final attempt; and Lake passed after 2 misses. At 2.01, Mahuchikh won the gold medal when she made the only clearance on her 2nd attempt while all remaining vaulters failed. Patterson took the silver while #1 world leader Olylagers captured the bronze. USA’s Vashti Cunningham cleared 1.90m to finish 11th.

m5000m – Final: This event provided an opportunity for redemption for Jakob Ingebrigtsen after his stinging second-place finish in the men’s 1500-meter run earlier in the championship. The pace was dawdling as the race got underway. But the pace picked up when Ishmael Kipkurui bolted away from the field in the early going. The pack pursued and eventually reeled Kipkurui in around the halfway point. Berihu Aregawi and Hagos Gebrhiwet came to the front to pick up the pace. Nine athletes were bunched when the bell sounded on the final lap. Mohamed Katir went to the front and picked up the tempo over the final circuit. Ingebrigtsen covered those moves and charged toward the front with 200 meters remaining. The battle raged over the final furlong and was won by Ingebrigtsen (Gold / 13:11.30), with Katir 2nd (Silver / 13:11.44) and Jacob Krop 3rd (Bronze / 13:12.28).

W800 m – Final: This race featured a strong start and very even splits that produced fast times. After the starting pistol, the first 200 meters were covered in an honest 26.51, and later, the bell was 56.01. On the second lap, the field of eight remained bunched at the top of the backstretch as the pace began to quicken with world leader Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson up front and Athing Mu closing in. The 600-meter mark was passed in 1:26.21 as Mu was starting to wind up the pace. On the home stretch, the Brit was holding off Mu, but Kenya’s Mary Moraa (1st in 1:56.03) was closing on the outside and passed both Mu (1:56.61) then Hodgkinson (1:56.34) for the victory and the gold medal. Hodgkinson held on for 2nd for the silver, and Mu finished 3rd for the bronze.

w3000m Steeplechase – Final: This field of 15 included 9 of the top 10 world leaders and featured a showdown between Beatrice Chepkoech and Winifred Mutile Yavi. At the crack of the gun, Chepkoech went to the lead. As the race continued, Yari eventually moved up and shadowed Chepkoech. Shortly after the bell, Yari raced closer, made a strong move on the backstretch, and sailed on for an uncontested win, clocking in at 8:54.39 and earning the gold medal. Chepkoech (8:58.98) crossed 2nd for the silver, while Faith Cherotich finished 3rd for the bronze.

mJT – Final: In an event devoid of American athletes, India’s Neeraj Chopra (88.17m/239/3″) prevailed and won the gold medal after a strong contest with both #6th ranked world leader Arshad Nadeem (with a season’s best of 87.82m/288’1″) and #1 ranked world leader Jakub Vadlejch (86.67m/284’4″).

m4x400m Relay – Final: The USA squad assembled a strong quartet representing the United States. But could they could they get the stick around without incident? The selected quartet was a blend of youth and experience. Rising stars Quincy Hall and Justin Robinson would be joined by seasoned veterans Vernon Norwood and Rai Benjamin. As the race got underway, Hall got out quickly, ran his race in lane 8, and executed a solid handoff to give the USA a meaningful advantage. Norwood, who has raced in many global relays, knew exactly what he had to do next. He pushed hard to the top of the backstretch and secured the all-important pole position for USA. Next would be Robinson on the 3rd leg as he ran a solid lap and picked up the pace over the his final 150 meters to give an even larger advantage to the USA. Anchorman Benjamin was given a double-digit lead and raced like a champ. Snuffing out any hopes of other teams, Benjamin closed well and crossed the line in 2:57.31 – capturing the gold and setting a new world-leading record and the #7 spot on the all-time list. In USA’s wake were three additional teams that raced under 4:00 minutes: France (2nd in 2:58.45 – Silver); Great Britain (3rd in 2:58.71 – Bronze); and Jamaica (4th in 2:59.92)

w4x400m Relay – Final: The quartet representing the Netherlands had a powerful foursome that includes talented Femke Bol. No USA women’s team would be competing as the women’s squad had sustained a line infraction, was DQ’d, and would be watching from the sidelines. Could Femke and her teammates get the job done? As the race got underway, it was clear that Jamaica and GB had formidable teams. When Bol got the stick for the Netherlands’ final lap, she had much work to do. Bol’s strong efforts over the final 200m lifted her team from 3rd to 1st (in 3:20.72), with Jamaica 2nd (in 3:20.88) and Great Britain 3rd (in 3:21.04) / Dave Hunter /