#BudaQuest | Lifetime best for brilliant 400mh finalist Clayton

Jamaica’s Rushell Clayton, not for the first time at a World Athletics Championships has run faster than she has ever gone to qualify for the 400-metre hurdles final inside the National Athletics Centre earlier today.

Clayton, running in the first semi-final heat, clocked a solid-looking 53.30 seconds, to get the better of the United States Anna Cockrell.

The second heat of the semi-finals also saw a brilliant effort by Andrenette Knight, who was second in 53.72 seconds behind gold-medal favourite, the Netherlands’ Femke Bol, who looked comfortable in 52.95.

Knight’s effort relegated the United States’ Dalilah Muhammad, 54.19, to the Q Room and eventually out of the final.

Muhammad’s ousting eventually came after the third semi-final heat where Janieve Russell, 53.69, finished third in a fast race, won by the United States Shamier Little in a season’s best, 52.81.

Bahrain’s Kemi Adekoya was second in an area record, 53.39.

The result meant Russell, who knew she was not in an automatic qualification position, had a moment of worry, but there was no need as both herself, and fourth-place finisher, Italy’s Ayomide Folorunso, after a national record, 53.89, were quickest.

The 400 hurdles final takes place on Friday at 2:50 p.m.

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