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IAAF
Ostrava (Czech Republic)
Abderrahman Samba continues to set the track the on fire. The Qatari athlete, on Saturday, equalled the record of the legendary American 400m hurdles athlete Edwin Moses at the IAAF's Continental Cup Ostrava 2018 in Czech Republic.
Samba, who recently won two gold medals at the Asian Games, clinched his ninth win of the season dominating the men's 400 hurdles race on Day One of the Continental Cup.
Samba's time of 47.37 not only beat the closest contender by over a second, it also equalled the World/Continental Cup record set by Moses in Rome 37 years ago.
"This is a great season for me, I'm so happy. I don't want the season to end," said a delighted Samba.
Competing from team Asia and Pacific, Samba's race completes his remarkable series this season, in which he broke 48 seconds in every final he has run, scored victories in six IAAF Diamond League races and took gold at the Asian Games.
Samba concluded his undefeated season in style. It was Samba’s ninth sub-48-second time of the season, equalling the record tally achieved by Danny Harris in 1990 and Kevin Young in 1992.
European champion Karsten Warholm of Norway started the race strongly and appeared to hold a slim lead over Samba until 250 metres, but once Samba started his move, nobody had a response.
The Qatari's lead kept growing, and the only remaining doubt was who would finish in second and third.
Annsert Whyte of Jamaica was the runner-up in the end with 48.46, a season's best, and he was followed home by the two representatives of Europe: Warholm in 48.56 and Yasmani Copello of Turkey with 48.65.
The African champion Abdelmalik Lahoulou of Algeria finished next in the order with 49.12.
This was the second event of the day in which Europe used the joker card, and just as in the women's hammer throw, they tied for first place, this time with the Asia-Pacific team. That joint victory meant another 14 points for their overall point tally in the overall standings.
Team Americas closed out day one of the meet in fine style with a slick display of baton exchanges to seal an easy win in the men's 4x100m relay.
They got off to a flying start via Michael Rodgers, who handed off to fellow US sprinter Noah Lyles, the 21-year-old lengthening their advantage down the back straight before handing off to Yohan Blake. The Jamaican powered around the bend and after he handed over to compatriot Tyquendo Tracey with a six-metre advantage, victory was assured.
Tracey brought them home in splendid isolation to win in 38.05, with the all-Turkish European team of Emre Zafer Barnes, Jak Ali Harvey, Yigitcan Hekimoglu and Ramil Guliyev a strong second in 38.96.
"It's a cool event putting the whole continent together," said Lyles, who was making his IAAF Continental Cup debut."Today I thought to myself, 'man, I would have never thought I could be in one team with Yohan Blake.' We had a good chemistry; taking the baton from Mike and then pushing myself was a blast."
Result
Continental Cup 400m hurdles (M)
1. Abderrahman Samba(QAT) ASP 47”37secs
2. Annsert Whyte (JAM) AME 48”46
3. Karsten Warholm (NOR) EUR 48”56
4. Yasmani Copello (TUR) EUR 48”65
5. Abdelmalik Lahoulou (ALG) AFR 49”12.
