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Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar’s Abdalelah Haroun came up with his season’s best show of 44.64secs which saw him qualify for the final of the 400m at the World Athletics Championships at the London Stadium on Sunday evening.
Running alongside South Wayde Van Niekerk, who is aiming for a golden double, the Qatari did himself proud finishing third in the pack where Niekerk clocked 44.22secs.
Botswana athlete Baboloki Thebe with 44.33 came second.
Also excelling for Qatar on the day was hurdler Abderrehaman Samba, who finished second in the 400m hurdles to make the semi-final.
Samba clocked 49.39secs to finish second to Turkey’s Yasmani Copello(49.13).
Earlier on Saturday, after his first heat, Haroun had said that he was in the non-help ninth lane, but he managed to qualify and that he seeks to bring his best at the semis.
In the semis too he was in the ninth lane but Haroun showed great fighting ability and kept the challenge as he joined the pack towards the final 100 metres and raced alongside Niekerk and Thebe to register his season’s best timing which also saw him qualify for the final.
Haroun’s personal best time is 44.27secs.
About his readiness for the world championships, Haroun had said he suffered several injuries this season, so he has not had much competition, but he hopes to achieve an unexpected result.
The Qatari runner had said his desire was to qualify for the final as a tribute to Qatari officials, who have given the athletes everything.
Haroun has won a silver medal at the 2016 World Indoor Championships; gold at the 2016 Youth Worlds and a gold medal at the 2015 Asian Championships.
