Bahraini athlete Salwa Eid Naser scripted history on Day Seven of the ongoing World Athletics Championships by winning gold with the third-fastest 400m time in history.
On Friday, Naser took 48.14 seconds — almost one second less than her previous best of 49.08 and the fastest run for 34 years.
Meanwhile, Rio Olympic champion Shaunae Mille-Uibo of The Bahamas won the second honour after completing the run in 48.37 seconds, whereas the bronze medal went to Shericka Jackson of Jamaica, who took 49.47 seconds to complete the run.
Wadeline Jonathas of the United States was fourth as she took 49.60 seconds, and her compatriot, defending champion Phyllis Francis, was fifth with 49.61 seconds.
21-year-old Naser, who had already won a bronze in the 4x400m mixed relay, had impressed with her smooth progress in the semifinals, where she clocked 49.79.
“This is crazy,” Naser was quoted as saying by IAAF.org. “I already did the mixed relays and I was just hoping for the best, but now I’m world champion. I’m really short of words to describe how I’m feeling, it’s just crazy. I’m screaming I’m so happy.
“It’s been so tough with all the training and injuries, and getting there has been hard. I didn’t want to chase because I’m so used to chasing all the time, so I had to go out fast, and I just kept going. To cross the line and see that I am world champion in that amazing time, I just couldn’t believe it.”
Asked if she might now contemplate breaking the world record of 47.60 set in 1985 by Marita Koch of East Germany, she responded, “Anything is possible”.