Thrilling men’s 400m hurdles expected

André Lowe: The men’s 400m hurdles promises to bring some real excitement at the 2019 World Championships.

Raymond Graham: It will be more than excitement as a thriller is expected here.

AL: The defending champion, Karsten Warholm, has had another great year but will face American Rai Benjamin and homeboy Abderrahman Samba in a real battle for the gold medal.

RG: The world record (46.78) could go here. Both Warholm and Benjamin have gone in 46-seconds territory, and Samba will be hoping to join them, and this will set the stage for an epic affair.

AL: Samba is coming off an injury and although he’ll have the full support of the fans, I think he’s still a half-notch or so below these two. Benjamin has good foot speed, but I have issues with his tactics and approach to his races.

RG: Correct. The last time, he allowed Warholm to get away from him, but I think he would have learnt from that. Samba will be race-rusty as well, and the key here between the top two could come down to the lane draw.

AL: Decent point. If Benjamin is behind Warholm in the draw, he will have a better opportunity to gauge him from early and adjust accordingly. Either way, I think the Norwegian has a little more and has shown a little more consistency in the sub-47.5 region. Warholm for the win.

RG: Although Warholm is speedier, I think the strength of Benjamin will prevail in the end once they are close going into the final barrier

AL: That’s it, I’m not convinced they will be close enough for Benjamin to overturn the lead that Warholm is expected to have coming into the final stretch, so I’m going with Warholm for the win as he becomes the first man since Kerron Clement to win back-to-back world titles and only the fourth male overall to do so.

RG: I differ here. I think Benjamin will give Warholm his first defeat of the season and be crowned new world champion. Samba, Frenchman Ludvy Vaillant, and Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands will also have a nice battle for the bronze.