An incredible final surge by Jakub Krzewina saw him sweep past USA&rsquo;s Vernon Norwood in the final metres to take the 4x400m title for Poland, setting a superb world indoor record* of 3:01.77 in the process.
It was an astonishing performance that nobody had seen coming, but one that was as impressive as it was unlikely.
The USA, unbeaten in global indoor championships for 14 years and featuring, in Michael Cherry and Aldrich Bailey, two of the individual 400m finalists, had held the lead virtually from the gun and had looked likely to take the record themselves until the closing stages.
Indeed, their 3:01.97 clocking was itself underneath the 3:02.13 that a different US quartet had set in Sopot at the World Indoor Championships four years ago.
And it had all started so well for the USA, with Fred Kerley, the 2017 USA outdoor champion, building a huge advantage following an opening 400m timed at a swift 44.84. Poland&rsquo;s Karol Zalewski had performed well to stay within 10 metres and had created a sizeable gap between himself and Dylan Borlee of Belgium.
Cherry, the individual silver medallist, took over from Kerley and, despite a strong leg, couldn&rsquo;t quite shake off the challenge of Rafal Omelko, while Trinidad and Tobago&rsquo;s Jereem Richards moved into third place, just ahead of Jonathan Borlee.
On leg three, Aldrich Bailey, who was fourth in Saturday&rsquo;s 400m, ran a controlled leg for the USA, with Poland&rsquo;s Lukasz Krawczuk closing slightly and Asa Guevara of Trinidad and Tobago appearing to consolidate third place.
Vernon Norwood anchored the USA to victory in Portland two years ago and was again entrusted with the task of bringing home the baton, this time with a four-metre lead at the takeover, which made that outcome a distinct probability.
But Krzewina had other ideas.
With an indoor best of 46.15 set in Torun in February, not many in the stadium gave the 28-year-old much of a chance of hunting down 25-year-old Norwood, who had superior bests than the Pole over 400m both indoors and out.
But hunt him down he did, edging past Norwood in the closing metres as the US sprinter visibly tired, flinging his arms wide as he crossed the line, partly in delight, partly in disbelief.
Behind, Belgium edged Trinidad and Tobago for bronze by one hundredth of a second in 3:02.51 as both teams set national indoor records.
Omelko spoke for all of his teammates when he expressed his surprise at the result.
"It is a big shock and surprise for us,&rdquo; he confirmed. &ldquo;We were targeting the European record but really did not expect a result like this and never dreamed about the world record.&rdquo;
While it was a team effort, the 29-year-old was quick to heap praise on the anchorman.
"I think the last lap with Jakub Krzewina was the crucial one. He pushed it so hard and he is very, very strong this year. He helped us to win the most.&rdquo;
Omelko was also quick to highlight the value of four individuals committing together to win a team medal.
"We all worked hard together. We met two weeks before the championships to train together for the relays and had a lot of exchange training.&rdquo;
"We are used to running at these championships, we compete in Poland and we try to run every competition the best we can. We also had our own events, we have our own coaches, we are four individuals so it was challenging."
Dean Hardman for the IAAF
*Subject to the usual ratification procedures

An incredible final surge by Jakub Krzewina saw him sweep past USA’s Vernon Norwood in the final metres to take the 4x400m title for Poland, setting a superb world indoor record* of 3:01.77 in the process.

Report: men's 4x400m final – IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018

The US quartet dominated the women&rsquo;s 4x400m as expected, flying to a championship record of 3:23.85 to secure their third straight victory.
USA saved the individual 400m gold and silver medallists, Courtney Okolo and Shakima Wimbley, for the final two legs. 2016 world indoor 400m bronze medallist Quanera Hayes ran the opening two laps in 51.56 to pass over to 2012 Olympic 400m hurdles finalist Georganne Moline, whose 50.87 split helped open up the gap over Jamaica and Poland.&nbsp;
Wimbley, the 400m silver medallist, then produced a 51.27 split to hand over to 400m champion Okolo with a clear advantage.
The 2016 world indoor and Olympic 4x400m gold medallist sped to an anchor split of 50.15 to bring the team home in 3:23.85, the second-fastest indoor time in history. It also meant the USA claimed their fourth 4x400m relay gold from the past five editions, and their 13th 4x400m medal overall at the World Indoor Championships.
&ldquo;We came together as a team as we always do,&rdquo; said Hayes. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t train together during the normal season but as soon as you put USA across our chest, everything else goes out of the window. We came out saying we are going to give our all.&rdquo;
&ldquo;I just tried to run my best race, tactically as smart as I could,&rdquo; said Okolo. &ldquo;The team made a great lead for me.&rdquo;
Jamaica crossed the line in second place but were soon disqualified after one of their athletes was in the incorrect order when receiving the baton. It meant that Poland claimed the silver with a national indoor record of 3:26.09 with European indoor 400m bronze medallist Justyna Swiety-Ersetic this time running their lead-off leg instead of the final leg as she often does.
Following Jamaica&rsquo;s disqualification, Great Britain and Northern Ireland moved up to third place with a 3:29.38 season&rsquo;s best. In the absence of individual 400m bronze medallist Eilidh Doyle, 400m finalist Zoe Clark ran the final leg.
Ukraine ran a 3:31.32 season&rsquo;s best for fourth place, while the Italian team ran a 3:31.55 national record in fifth.
Nicola Sutton for the IAAF

The US quartet dominated the women’s 4x400m as expected, flying to a championship record of 3:23.85 to secure their third straight victory. 

Report: women's 4x400m final – IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018

Andrew Pozzi whipped the British crowd into a delighted frenzy, as the local athlete stormed to a popular and frantically-tight victory in a dramatic final over the USA&rsquo;s Jarrett Eaton, for Britain&rsquo;s first gold medal on the men's side at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018.
Flying to a 7.46 season&rsquo;s best, the 25-year-old European indoor champion follows in the footsteps of world indoor record holder and 1999 edition winner Colin Jackson as Britons to have taken the title in the event.
Pozzi&rsquo;s win not only delivers his first world medal but it also makes amends for finishing just outside of the podium positions in both the 2014 and 2016 World Indoor Championships.
Having missed most of the 2013, 2014 and 2015 outdoor seasons through injury, Pozzi failed to make the finals of the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2017 IAAF World outdoor Championships in London, but based on this winter, he should be confident of adding the Commonwealth title and continental outdoor crown to his athletic resume in the next few months.
&ldquo;I could see I was behind Jarrett (Eaton) but I was fixated on the (finish) line and had to drive towards it as best I could,&rdquo; said the British team captain, who was the fastest qualifier in both the first round and semi-final stage. &ldquo;To be a world champion in Birmingham makes the achievement tenfold. I&rsquo;ve grown up here over the last decade - the first competition I ever watched was the trials here 15 years ago.
&ldquo;My heart stopped at the end, I knew I was behind and I can&rsquo;t describe how much I wanted it. I was throwing my body at the line and I just about got there.
&ldquo;These championships have been amazing and to be (British) captain is the biggest honour of my life, and to win is an absolute delight.
&ldquo;These moments have kept me going (through all of the injuries) - I knew I could come back and get to the very top.&rdquo;
Pozzi also commented on the day&rsquo;s passing of athletics legend Roger Bannister.
&ldquo;Roger was an unbelievable athlete and unbelievable person - I&rsquo;m very sorry that he has left us and I read one of his quotes today before heading to the track. It said: &lsquo;Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up and it knows it must move faster than the lion or it will not survive&rsquo;.&rdquo;
In the silver medal position, the USA&rsquo;s Eaton gained redemption for finishing fourth on home turf in the 2016 edition in Portland with a 7.47 clocking, clear ahead of France&rsquo;s Aurel Manga, who claimed a surprise bronze with 7.54.
The 110m hurdles world record holder Aries Merritt registered 7.56 to finish fourth ahead of France&rsquo;s two-time world indoor runner-up, Pascal Martinot-Lagarde who came home in fifth with 7.68.
Sixth position went to Brazil&rsquo;s Gabriel Constantino, who clocked 7.71 while Roger Iribarne of Cuba finished seventh in 7.77, less than two hours after running a 7.58 lifetime best.
Milan Trajkovic of Cyprus, who clocked a fine 7.51 national record for victory in his semi, was disqualified for a false start.
Nicola Sutton for the IAAF

Andrew Pozzi whipped the British crowd into a delighted frenzy, as the local athlete stormed to a popular and frantically-tight victory in a dramatic final over the USA’s Jarrett Eaton, for Britain’s first gold medal on the men's side at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018.

Report: men's 60m hurdles final – IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018

With the bar at 5.90m and three men clear at 5.85m, Renauld Lavillenie stood on the runway as the final man to make a second attempt, knowing that a clearance would likely secure him a third world indoor title.
Having just watched his two main rivals for gold &ndash; world champion Sam Kendricks and silver medallist Piotr Lisek &ndash; narrowly fail, the Frenchman saw his chance for victory.
And it was an opportunity he wouldn&rsquo;t let slip, as he contorted his body over the bar to the delight of the Birmingham crowd, most of whom had remained in their seats to watch the climax of a competition that had been in progress for more than two-and-a-half hours.
Neither USA&rsquo;s Kendricks nor Poland&rsquo;s Lisek could respond, although both made honourable efforts, including a strong attempt by Kendricks at 5.95m, which would have been an indoor personal best.
After Kendricks brought the bar down with his stomach, Lavillenie launched into a victory sprint and embraced his friend, before quickly deciding to attempt the six-metre barrier.
Three close attempts followed, perhaps the best coming on the second attempt, where the 31-year-old had the height but knocked it off on the way back down.
Still, it was a superb victory for the world record-holder in an event that had been billed as possibly the strongest field ever to contest an IAAF World Indoor Championships pole vault final. It was a competition that didn&rsquo;t disappoint.
A record 13 men got over 5.60m, while nine men cleared 5.70m and six exceeded 5.80m in a high quality contest that featured a glut of major championships medallists, perhaps the only disappointment being the early exits of Olympic champion Thiago Braz and 2011 world champion Pawel Wojciechowski of Poland.
It was also a competition that saw the next generation of vaulters come to the fore. Sweden&rsquo;s 18-year-old Armand Duplantis, the European U20 champion, took a creditable seventh place with 5.70m, while fellow teenager Emmanouil Karalis of Greece went one better, vaulting 5.80m for a share of fifth place with Germany&rsquo;s 2013 world champion Raphael Holzdeppe who himself made a welcome return to form.
Australia&rsquo;s 20-year-old Kurtis Marschall also acquitted himself superbly, first-time clearances at 5.60m, 5.70m and 5.80m securing him fourth.
But it was the three medallists from the 2017 IAAF World Championships and 2016 World Indoor Championships that were ultimately in contention for the win, although they got to the business end of the competition by following different paths.
Kendricks, who sportingly applauded and encouraged his competitors throughout the competition, attempted the opening height of 5.45m, with Lisek waiting until the second bar. Lavillenie, on the other hand, waited until 5.70m to begin and then passed until the bar reached 5.85, clearing both heights first time.
The title clearly meant a lot to Lavillenie, who stood for the national anthem with tears of joy rolling down his cheeks.
"I'm very, very happy,&rdquo; he confirmed. &ldquo;The competition was a real battle. The competition was very long and very intense as you can see with seven athletes trying to jump 5.90m.&rdquo;
Ever the perfectionist, the Frenchman even had time for a touch of self-reflection.
"I was a little disappointed to miss my first jump at 5.90m as I know I am able to get it. But to be able to secure one more gold medal in the world championships is a crazy feeling."
Kendricks was also far from disappointed, partly because of the respect he has for the man who vaulted 6.16m four years ago.
"I'm ecstatic with silver,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Every time cannot be your day to win but you can try to be at your most competitive and that's what I aimed to do and I aim to be.
"I went for the win at 5.95m. Outdoors I was able to do it so I was still confident but it's a high bar to make on only one attempt.
"I must therefore bow out to Renaud and understand that he is a great indoor jumper and he made those jumps when it was crucial.
"On Friday I said it would take something special to win and that was it."
Dean Hardman for the IAAF

With the bar at 5.90m and three men clear at 5.85m, Renauld Lavillenie stood on the runway as the final man to make a second attempt, knowing that a clearance would likely secure him a third world indoor title.

Report: men's pole vault final – IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018

At the last IAAF World Indoor Championships, in Portland in 2016, Ivana Spanovic had the title in her grasp until the penultimate jump of the competition. The Serb was sitting pretty in gold medal position with a 7.07m jump &ndash; until Brittney Reese, the US jumper known as The Beast since her collegiate days as an all-conquering sporting all-rounder, unleashed a 7.22m championship record.
Two years on, it was a different story. A bronze or silver medallist at five successive global championships until she missed bronze by one centimetre at last year&rsquo;s world championships in London, Spanovic finally stepped up to the gold standard.
The 27-year-old, the European champion indoors and out, threw down the gauntlet with a 6.89m effort in the first round, snatching the lead from last year's US collegiate champion Quanesha Burks, who opened with a PB of 6.81m.
Reese, seeking a fourth world indoor title to match her world outdoor tally, opened with 6.76m and only made a one centimetre in round three before grasping the lead with 6.89m in the fourth round.
Spanovic responded with 6.96m, a three centimetre advance on her 2017 world lead. Reese could not venture any farther, jumping 6.72m and 6.64m with her last two efforts. Germany&rsquo;s Sosthene Moguenara-Taroum had moved up into third with a second round 6.85m and stayed there.
Spanovic could afford the luxury of passing her final two attempts before celebrating her first global title, with Reese taking silver with her 6.89m and Burks down in fourth with her opening 6.81m.
"I still cannot believe it even though I was preparing myself for it,&rdquo; said Spanovic. &ldquo;Last time I lost the world indoor title in the final attempts, so I just wanted to stay focused and waited until the very end.
"I have tried to win this title so many times and finally I managed to produce gold. Brittney Reese is a huge personality. She is a special athlete.
"We had the same goal and it was a tough battle. But I am happy she is here. She is pushing me forward and I like competing against her."
Silver was little consolation to Reese. "I'm not happy with my performance,&rdquo; she confessed. &ldquo;Ivana got the better of me. I'm a little disappointed but I can go home with something.
"I don't feel like I performed to my best today. I beat myself.&rdquo;
In contrast, Moguenara-Taroum was overjoyed with bronze.
"It's incredible, &ldquo; she said. &ldquo;I'm so happy right now. I got my first indoor medal. I'm feeling blessed."
Simon Turnbull for the IAAF

At the last IAAF World Indoor Championships, in Portland in 2016, Ivana Spanovic had the title in her grasp until the penultimate jump of the competition. The Serb was sitting pretty in gold medal position with a 7.07m jump – until Brittney Reese, the US jumper known as The Beast since her collegiate days as an all-conquering sporting all-rounder, unleashed a 7.22m championship record.

Report: women's long jump final – IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018

On the day the track and field world bade a sad goodbye to the man who achieved the most celebrated middle distance feat of all time, Sir Roger Bannister, it seemed fitting that a new talent should emerge into the global spotlight.
Earlier in the day Sebastian Coe, no mean middle distance runner himself, had paid fulsome tribute to the British predecessor who famously broke through the four minute mile barrier down the road from Birmingham at the Iffley Road track in Oxford on 6 May 1954.
Speaking at the launch of the IAAF Heritage Collection, the IAAF President described Bannister as &ldquo;a giant&rdquo; who&rsquo;s sub-four minute success &ldquo;allowed mankind to enter a new world filled with possibilities.&rdquo;
There was also a touching tribute on the big screen in Birmingham Arena, a video and photo montage of that barrier breaking run, before Samuel Terefa stepped on to the track and proceeded to fulfill the possibility of becoming the youngest ever winner of the world indoor 1500m title.
Not that there were any echoes of Bannister&rsquo;s clock-chasing tour de force as the 18-year-old Ethiopian, who ran in the 1500m heats at the outdoor world championships in London last year, and the rest of the nine-strong set off on their seven and a half laps of the 200m track.
With 2012 champion Abdelaati Iguider of Morocco in the vanguard, they dawdled through the first 200m in 33.91 and then, with the bearded Ben Blankenship of the US in front, hit 400m in 1:15.84. Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway had taken Bannister though 400m in 58 at Iffley Road.
Not until 800m was reached in an equally pedestrian 2:23.68 (25 seconds down on that 1954 split) did the battle for gold begin in earnest. Terefa was in front by then, with Iguider and Blankenship in his slipstream.
Iguider was back in front with 400m to go and lead down the back straight on the final lap until Terefa swept past in the home straight to win in 3:58.19 &ndash; just 1.21 quicker than Bannister had managed over the mile distance that momentous day 64 years ago. In doing so, at 18 years 134 days, the east African became the youngest man to claim the crown. His fellow-countryman Deresse Mekonnen was 20 years 140 days when he won in Birmingham in 2003.
The fast-finishing Pole Marcin Lewandowski snatched silver in 3:58.39, with Iguider third in 3:58.43, Terefa&rsquo;s team-mate Aman Wote fourth in 3:58.64, Blankenship fifth (3:58.89) and Briton Jake Wightman sixth (3:58.91).
"The race was very slow early on,&rdquo; Terefa reflected. &ldquo;It was very tactical and that wasn't good for me, but in the last two laps I was able to use my power to win."
Lewandowski was happy with his silver. &ldquo;I managed to stay patient until the very end to find the right moment to attack,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I knew there was a slight chance for a gold but I am over the moon with the silver medal because it the first for Poland in this event.
&ldquo;I have fought for it seven times in finals indoors and out. Finally, I got it."
Iguider, however, could not hide his disappointment with third place. &ldquo;I came here for the gold medal, not the bronze,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It was the last 40m that did for me.&rdquo;
Simon Turnbull for the IAAF

On the day the track and field world bade a sad goodbye to the man who achieved the most celebrated middle distance feat of all time, Sir Roger Bannister, it seemed fitting that a new talent should emerge into the global spotlight.

Report: men's 1500m final – IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018

Not since the days of the Maria Mutola has there been a successful title defence in the women&rsquo;s 800m at the IAAF World Indoor Championships.
The mighty Mozambican made five successful defences en route to her record collection of seven individual world indoor golds, which she accomplished across two separate streaks (split by her defeat to the Czech Ludmila Formanova in Maebashi in 1999) from 1993 to 2006.
There has only been one other repeat winner &ndash; East Germany&rsquo;s Christine Wachtel, who prevailed in 1987, 1989 and 1991 &ndash; so Francine Niyonsaba joined some select company when she sprinted past Ajee Wilson off the final bend to retain the global crown she claimed ahead of the US runner in Portland two years ago. Niyonsaba, Burundi&rsquo;s first world champion, was an indoor novice when she took to the boards in Portland in 2016, just two months after her move to nearby Eugene to join the Oregon Track Club. This time the 2016 Olympic and 2017 world outdoor silver medallist looked every inch a seasoned master.
She bided her time as Wilson led the field through the opening 200m in a brisk 28.59, followed by Ethiopia&rsquo;s Hatem Alemu. Wilson maintained her lead and her pace through 400m, which she passed in 59.32, then resisted Niyonsaba&rsquo;s first charge with 300m to go.
The world outdoor bronze medallist behind Caster Semenya and Niyonsaba in London last year, Wilson remained in pole position until it came to the final bend. Niyonsaba gathered her strength around the curve before sweeping into the lead as she entered the home straight and powering through the line in 1:58.31, a world lead.
Wilson had to settle for silver again, her natural disappointment tempered by a PB, 1:58.99.
Behind the repeat one-two, British women&rsquo;s captain Shelayna Oskan-Clarke overhauled Alemu off the final bend to take bronze in 1:59.81, a personal best. Then came Alemu, (fourth in2:01.10), US collegiate champion Raevyn Rogers (fifth in 2:01.44) and two-time European indoor champion Selina Buchel of Switzerland (sixth in 2:03.61).
Oskan-Clarke, a former county hockey player, notched a global medal success for her coach Jon Bigg, the husband of former world 400m hurdles champion Sally Gunnell &ndash; and a posthumous tribute to her former coach, Ayo Falola, who lost his brave battle with cancer in December 2015.
Niyonsaba, coached at the Oregon Track Club by Britain&rsquo;s 1988 Olympic steeplechase bronze medallist Mark Rowland, dedicated her triumph to her country. &ldquo;I did it for God and for my country,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I want to be an inspiration for the youth and children in Burundi.
&ldquo;I did all I was supposed to do to defend this title, despite the fact it was not easy. I knew Ajee was well prepared and expected her to start like she did. It was hard to win but I felt good to push it in the finish.&rdquo;
Wilson did not regret her blitz tactic. "I felt confident in the race and wanted to secure a good position,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I think it was worth trying it. For the outdoors, I know what to work on now before the season starts."
Oskan-Clarke, a silver medallist at the European Indoor Championships last year, has developed into an astute racer when it comes to the big occasion. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m just happy to have got a medal,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I kept telling myself in the call room, &lsquo;You&rsquo;re strong enough to do this.&rsquo;
&ldquo;The race was a bit scrappy for me, but I dug deep. Normally I don't hear the crowd because I'm in the zone, but I could can hear them roaring all the way around. It helped me push a little deeper."
Simon Turnbull for the IAAF

Not since the days of the Maria Mutola has there been a successful title defence in the women’s 800m at the IAAF World Indoor Championships.

Report: women's 800m final – IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018

Ethiopia&rsquo;s Yomif Kejelcha successfully defended his 3000m title with a powerful display of front running over the final kilometre of a tactical final.
The 20-year-old IAAF World Indoor Tour winner took charge after 2000 metres, which was reached in a comfortable 5:51.71 following a pedestrian 3:08.24 opening kilometre.
Frustrated by the pace and with energy saved from the first 10 laps, Kejelcha unleashed a final kilometre of 2.22.70. Having covered the final lap in 26.82, Kejelcha refused to heed his prime position and crossed the line a clear winner in 8:14.41.
His winning time is the slowest in the 32-year history of the championships by more than 10 seconds, but that mattered little to the Ethiopian.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m very happy to be the world indoor champion again,&rdquo; said Kejelcha. &ldquo;During the race, I saw everyone was very confident but I was the one controlling everybody. When I pushed, I went with my friends and I was able to show off my power. I&rsquo;m very happy for my country and my people.
&ldquo;This year, I have been second sometimes but my coach has been working with me to make my race seamless. Before, I had a problem with my speed in the last few laps and I couldn&rsquo;t control the race, but I&rsquo;ve been training a lot on that and now I&rsquo;m very good with my kick at the end.
&ldquo;Next year, I want to break the 5000m world record.&rdquo;
His compatriot, 18-year-old Selemon Barega, managed to sneak the silver medal in the closing metres, clocking 8:15.59 to Bethwell Birgen&rsquo;s 8:15.70.
World U18 and U20 champion Barega captured his first senior international medal in the process, in a season in which he has registered a world-leading 7:36.64.
Kenya&rsquo;s Birgen, meanwhile, managed to break up a potential Ethiopian medal sweep, improving on his eighth place in the 2014 event. He kept a low profile throughout the race but appeared when it mattered most to take his first major championship medal.
A third Ethiopian, Olympic 5000m bronze medallist Hagos Gebrhiwet, just missed out on a medal with a 8:15.76 clocking. The world 5000m silver medallist beat Spain&rsquo;s European indoor 3000m champion Adel Mechaal (8:16.13) to the line in fifth.
Youness Essalhi of Morocco finished sixth in 8:16.63, while 2015 world U18 silver medallist Davis Kiplangat of Kenya placed seventh with 8:18.03.
Nicola Sutton for the IAAF

Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha successfully defended his 3000m title with a powerful display of front running over the final kilometre of a tactical final.

Report: men's 3000m final – IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018

The men&rsquo;s 60m hurdles finalists were decided at the opening of the sixth and final session of these championships, and as in the first round, it was Britain&rsquo;s Andrew Pozzi who emerged as the fastest qualifier.
The 25-year-old European indoor champion sped to a swift 7.46 season&rsquo;s best to claim the second semi-final race and to qualify for this evening&rsquo;s final as the only athlete to have dipped below the 7.50 barrier.
The big home hope was followed by Milan Trajkovic of Cyprus, who registered a fine 7.51 national record for victory in the third and final semi-final.
France&rsquo;s two-time world indoor runner-up Pascal Martinot-Lagarde clocked a 7.52 season&rsquo;s best for the second occasion in Birmingham for the runner-up spot behind Trajkovioc, whilst his team-mate, Aurel Manga ran 7.55.
Cuba&rsquo;s Roger Iribarne is enjoying a successful event, having sped to a second consecutive lifetime best after being timed at 7.59 in the first round then 7.58 for second spot in the second semi-final race.
Meanwhile, Jarrett Eaton of the USA, fourth in the 2016 edition of these championships, clocked 7.58 behind Pozzi whilst his compatriot, world record holder for the 110m hurdles and 2012 Olympic champion Aries Merritt, clocked 7.60.
The last qualifier was Brazil&rsquo;s Gabriel Constantino of Brazil, who registered 7.61 for fourth place in second semi.
Of those to miss out on a final berth, some notable names included world outdoor bronze medallist Ronald Levy of Jamaica (7.62), Balazs Baji of Hungary (7.64), the Czech Republic&rsquo;s Petr Svoboda (7.64) and Ahmad Al-Molad of Saudi Arabia (7.66).
Nicola Sutton for the IAAF&nbsp;

The men’s 60m hurdles finalists were decided at the opening of the sixth and final session of these championships, and as in the first round, it was Britain’s Andrew Pozzi who emerged as the fastest qualifier.

Report: men's 60m hurdles semi-finals - IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018

<h3>Welcome to day four of the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018.</h3>
&nbsp;
On the programme today? Two hours and 30 minutes of non-stop finals.&nbsp;Here's today's full <a href="https://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-indoor-championships/iaaf-world-indoor-championships-6019/timetable/byday">timetable</a>. And here's today's <a href="https://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-indoor-championships/iaaf-world-indoor-championships-6019/live">live competition blog</a>.
With these daily updates pages we'll be supplementing our comprehensive coverage of the championships with reports produced by our social media team, key updates, and links to other pieces, parts and bits to keep you up to speed - so be sure to check in from time to time.
By the way: We're experimenting with this new day-long updates page so we'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.&nbsp;<a href="mailto:editor@iaaf.org">Get in touch</a>&nbsp;to let us know what you'd like to see here.
Thanks and enjoy!

Welcome to day four of the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018.

Birmingham today: daily updates hub for 4 March 2018

Three championship records, two other world leads and drama aplenty: just another night at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018.
<h3>Gold at last for Morris</h3>
A third-time clearance in the pole vault is exciting under any normal circumstances, but when the bar is set at 4.95m and a successful attempt will likely result in a world title, the added pressure makes it truly special.
Sandi Morris was the athlete in question.
Katerina Stefanidi, searching for the one title missing from her collection, had exited the competition with two failures at 4.90m following one at 4.85m, having required two attempts to make 4.75m and three to get over 4.80m.
Instead it was Anzhelika Sidorova who mounted the most serious challenge to Morris and, indeed, her record up to 4.90m had been flawless. But the US vaulter made 4.90m at the second attempt whereas the authorised neutral athlete took thee vaults.
Morris&rsquo;s 4.95m makes her the third best performer in the pole vault indoors behind Jennifer Suhr and Yelena Isinbayeva. It was also her first global title following three successive silver medals.
<h3>Coleman copes with pressure</h3>
With talk of a possible world record reverberating around the stadium, the pressure was on Christian Coleman.
Just 6.37 seconds later and the 21-year-old&rsquo;s championship temperament was proven and the Birmingham fans were in raptures. 
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Christian Coleman wins the 60m at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018</div>
&nbsp;
The US indoor champion was drawn alongside the man most likely to challenge, China&rsquo;s Su Bingtian, and the IAAF World Indoor Tour winner was out alongside Coleman for the first 30 metres.
But that was where the world record-holder began to pull away.
Su&rsquo;s efforts were rewarded with an Asian indoor record of 6.42, with USA&rsquo;s Ronnie Baker taking bronze in 6.44.
<h3>Change of luck for Harrison</h3>
World 100m hurdles record-holder Kendra Harrison ended a long and frustrating wait for a first international title, producing a classy performance to win the 60m hurdles in a championship record and personal best of 7.70, tying the North American record.
Two years ago in Portland the now 25-year-old had hit the first hurdle in the final, finishing eighth having started as favourite, but she erased those memories, getting off to a flying start and moving clear off hurdle three. 
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Christina Manning, Kendra Harrison and Nadien Visser at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018</div>
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Harrison&rsquo;s US teammate Christina Manning took silver in 7.79 and the Netherlands&rsquo; Nadine Visser denied the US trio a podium sweep, taking bronze in 7.84, narrowly missing breaking the national record she had set in the semi-final earlier in the session.
<h3>Claye claims close contest</h3>
Just three centimetres separated the champion Will Claye, the silver medallist Almir dos Santos and Nelson Evora in third place in yet another compelling horizontal jump competition.
Evora, the 2008 Olympic champion and, at 33 the elder statesman of world triple jumping, had led with a first-round 17.14m and extended his advantage with a national record of 17.40m in the third, but Claye, the world indoor champion in 2012, responded with 17.43m in the fourth, which proved to be enough for the win.
Brazil&rsquo;s Dos Santos, this season&rsquo;s surprise package, then improved his own PB in the fifth to 17.41m to snatch the silver, by far the biggest achievement of his career so far.
<h3>Hot Kszczot&rsquo;s gold at last</h3>
Adam Kszczot, twice a medallist over 800m at the IAAF World Indoor Championships but never previously the champion, finally took gold with a trademark sit and blistering kick.
The three-time European indoor champion started in lane one and watched on as Morocco&rsquo;s Mostafa Smaili led out the field through two slow, almost excruciatingly so, laps, before surging to the front on lap three.
With the clock showing 55.7 for the first 400 metres, the 28-year-old Pole had plenty left in the tank to maintain his pace metres clear of the rest of the field, which was headed by Saul Ordonez. The Spanish athlete tied up in the final strides as the USA&rsquo;s Drew Windle swept past to take silver.
<h3>Mayer resists Warner charge</h3>
Heading into the heptathlon&rsquo;s final event, the 1000m, France&rsquo;s world decathlon champion Kevin Mayer led Damian Warner by 34 points, which equated to a head start of roughly three seconds.
Unperturbed, the Canadian embarked on an audacious bid for glory, moving to the front of the field and edging further and further ahead until he took the bell with 200 metres to go with a genuine chance of gold. 
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Kevin Mayer after securing heptathlon gold at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018</div>
&nbsp;
Behind him, Mayer was hanging on, but faltered badly in the final 40 metres before staggering to the line, no doubt feeling highly concerned that Warner had achieved the unthinkable. As it was, the gap was 2.52 seconds and Mayer took the title by just five points, scoring 6348 for a 2018 world lead.
<h3>Maslak makes it three</h3>
As Spain&rsquo;s Oscar Husillos surged down the home straight on the second lap of the 400m final, teeth gritted, hanging on for dear life, before crossing the line in a barely-believable 44.92, it seemed that the crowd might have witnessed one of the feel-good stories of the championships.
The 24-year-old had already set personal best after personal best in 2018 and now, in his biggest race, had come a championship and European indoor record.
Until the disqualification.
A lane infringement committed by both him and the runner-up, Luguelin Santos, meant that Pawel Maslak&rsquo;s season&rsquo;s best 45.47 was the gold medal-winning performance, his third world indoor title, while USA&rsquo;s Michael Cherry and Trinidad and Tobago&rsquo;s Deon Lendore also made the podium.
<h3>USA two-lap one-two</h3>
The USA&rsquo;s Courtney Okolo and Shakima Wimbley had been virtually inseparable this season, finishing within one hundredth of a second of each other at the USA Indoor Championships and matching each other&rsquo;s efforts so far at the World Indoor Championships in progressing to the final in untroubled fashion.
It always felt likely that one of the two would take the 400m title and so it proved, with Okolo speeding to a personal best 50.55 to take the crown ahead of her teammate and Great Britain&rsquo;s Elidh Doyle.
The 23-year-old had hit the front at the bell and took maximum advantage of a tussle between Wimbley and Doyle behind her, her victory nicely complementing the gold she won in the 4x400m in Portland two years ago and in the same discipline at the 2016 Olympic Games.
<h3>Dibaba at the double</h3>
Any doubts about the three 3000m medallists&rsquo; ability to cope with three races in three days were well and truly eased, as the trio once again made the podium in a 1500m which was yet another exciting race. 
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Genzebe Dibaba in the 1500m at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018</div>
&nbsp;
Not surprisingly, it was Genzebe Dibaba who took the title, the Ethiopian striking hard for home with 1000 metres to go and finishing in 4:05.27. Britain&rsquo;s Laura Muir and Netherlands&rsquo; Sifan Hassan were the only two athletes able to cope with the surge, although Kenya&rsquo;s Winny Chibet put up a spirited fight until she fell away with 300 metres remaining.
It was Muir who ultimately lasted longest, finishing within a second of Dibaba to improve on her bronze from Friday, while Hassan, the defending champion, settled for bronze.
<h3>Sprint hurdles big hitters tune up for tomorrow</h3>
There were no major casualties in the men&rsquo;s 60m hurdles and, with four to qualify from each of the five heats, the pre-event favourites could afford to relax, relatively speaking.
World 110m hurdles record-holder Aries Merritt, US indoor champion Jarret Eaton and Jamaica&rsquo;s Ronald Levy all progressed in serene fashion, while the fastest qualifier was Great Britain&rsquo;s Andrew Pozzi, which met the approval of the Birmingham crowd. 
<hr />
&nbsp;
<h3>Next time, at the IAAF World Indoor Championships&hellip;</h3>
The finale. From 15:00 on Saturday&hellip;
Can anyone challenge Kendricks and Lavillenie?
One is a legend of the sport, the pole vault world record-holder and reigning champion. The other is the world outdoor title holder and the challenger to his crown. Renaud Lavillenie and Sam Kendricks share the highest vault in the world this year and will both expect to challenge for gold in Birmingham on Sunday.
Prize for Pozzi?
Great Britain&rsquo;s Andrew Pozzi was the fastest qualifier from the 60m hurdles heats, but with semi-finals to negotiate before he can start thinking of the final, it would be dangerous for home supporters to dream of another title. That&rsquo;s especially the case with Aries Merritt, Jarett Eaton and Ronald Levy among others looking good.
Reese bandwagon to roll on?
Brittney Reese has a habit of picking up global titles and attempts to take her fourth world indoor gold to go with the four she has outdoors. Serbia&rsquo;s European champion Ivana Spanovic may have other ideas.
Ethiopia awaits in the 3000m
Genzebe Dibaba&rsquo;s two titles in Birmingham will no doubt have served only to raise expectations in Ethiopia, so hopes will be high that Hagos Gebrhiwet, Selemon Barega and Yomif Kejelcha will make it a clean sweep in the 3000m.
D&eacute;j&agrave; vu for Niyonsaba and Wilson
In Portland two years ago Francine Niyonsaba won gold in the 800m, with USA&rsquo;s Ajee&rsquo; Wilson finishing in the runner-up spot and the pair emerged from competitive heats in Birmingham looking like the favourites to make the podium again.
Iguider to win back title?
Abdalaati Iguider took world indoor 1500m gold in Istanbul back in 2012 and six years later Birmingham is perhaps his best chance to find himself standing on top of a podium at a global championships, in what seems to be a very open event.
USA relay dominance to continue?
On the evidence of the heats, it will take something special to stop the USA from retaining their relay titles, as both their relay teams qualified for the finals in style. The other medals seem very much up for grabs however, and the Birmingham crowd would no doubt love to see the championships end on a high note for the host nation.
 Dean Hardman for the IAAF

Three championship records, two other world leads and drama aplenty: just another night at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018.

Morris, Coleman and Harrison make it good night for USA in Birmingham – day three evening wrap

Still the wait goes on for Katerina Stefanidi. The 28-year-old might have come to Birmingham as the Greek with the Midas vaulting touch &ndash; on a roll of European outdoor, Olympic, European indoor, and world indoor titles &ndash; but, when it came to the world indoor final, the one gold missing from her Fort Knox collection proved beyond her grasp once again.
Instead, as the compelling drama unfolded over three and quarter hours, the entirety of the Saturday evening session, it was Sandi Morris, the US bridesmaid of the women&rsquo;s vault, who rose to the big occasion and seized her chance to wed herself to gold. Thrillingly so.
Runner-up in the previous three global finals &ndash; to US team-mate Jenn Suhr at the 2016 World Indoor Championships in Portland, and to Stefanidi at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and last year&rsquo;s outdoor World Championships in London &ndash; silver Sandi finally stepped up a grade to top spot.
She did so in style, breaking Suhr&rsquo;s championship record with a 4.95m clearance and taking three shots, all unsuccessful, at 5.04m, two centimetres higher than Suhr&rsquo;s world indoor record.
In a competition that dramatically seed and sawed, Stefanidi &ndash; on an unbeaten run of 19 finals &ndash; had to settle for bronze, with neutral athlete Anzhelika Sidorova taking silver.
Stefanidi sat out the first hour and a quarter, entering the competition with a first-time success at 4.70m. Only six women remained in contention with her when the bar was raised to 4.75m.
Canada&rsquo;s Alysha Newman bowed out at that height with three failures, while Stefanidi required a second attempt to succeed and world leader Katie Nageotte, who had earlier failed first time at 4.50m and 4.70m, rolled the dice and passed to 4.80m after dislodging the bar with her opening attempt.
Morris, who needed two attempts at 4.70m, cleared first time &ndash; as did Olympic bronze medallist Eliza McCartney, the New Zealander setting an area indoor record.
Sidorova, faultless at 4.60m and 4.70m, elected to pass at 4.75m and the former European indoor and outdoor champion regained the box seat with a first time clearance at 4.80m.
Nageotte departed, after two failures, finishing fifth. McCartney dropped out of the medal hunt too, her three misses consigning her to fourth.
So then there were three. Morris and Stefanidi both dug deep to nail third attempts at 4.80m. Then, at 4.85m, Sidorova sailed over first time and Morris and Stefanidi both passed after first time misses.
At 4.90m, two blanks from Stefanidi left her with bronze. Sidorova&rsquo;s smooth progress hit a bump. She needed a third attempt to clear the bar. Morris, with her pass, also entered last chance saloon after one failure but again showed her bottle with a last gasp success.
The momentum was with the 25-year-old US vaulter. Sidorova could venture no higher, with three misses at 4.95m.
Morris had two failures but then coolly waited for the final track event, the men&rsquo;s 60m final, to run its course, before rumbling down the runway and taking the vault that took her to gold &ndash; matching the silver medal winning clearance in Portland two years ago that put her third on the all-time indoor list.
"It was a battle,&rdquo; the new world indoor champion reflected. &ldquo;It was the hardest I have had to work for a medal, 4.90m and 4.95m on third attempts. I got 4.90m and I thought I had it won but you can never let your guard down.
"Honestly, I am so proud of this moment and so proud of myself because to make the height that high on a third attempt under pressure is incredible. It was the competition of my life.
"I got myself pumped up because adrenaline is the best pain killer. Once I made 4.95m I knew I had three attempts at the world record. I knew today I was walking away as the gold medallist."
Sidorova was happy with her silver and a three centimetre improvement on her PB. "Before the championships I told myself I would be happy to be in the top three,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I knew the girls and there were so many who has already jumped 4.80m. In the end I managed to improve my personal best - the best result of my whole career which is amazing."
As for Stefanidi, she confessed: &ldquo;I feel relieved that I didn&rsquo;t get fourth. I&rsquo;m so tired. I had to put in so much effort to gain this medal.
"Before the championships, I discussed with my coach whether to start or not to start indoors. I was thinking about skipping it as I had some pain in my tendon, but the more I jumped the better I felt. Maybe it was more a mental thing.
"Now, I am excited that I made it on to the podium. I cannot be angry that I did not win. I only can be angry that I did not jump higher.
"The gold was really too high for me today."
Simon Turnbull for the IAAF

Still the wait goes on for Katerina Stefanidi. The 28-year-old might have come to Birmingham as the Greek with the Midas vaulting touch – on a roll of European outdoor, Olympic, European indoor, and world indoor titles – but, when it came to the world indoor final, the one gold missing from her Fort Knox collection proved beyond her grasp once again.

WORLD ATHLETICS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Poland’s men’s 4x400m relay quartet: when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts

Statistics and analysis from IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018

Bronze in Birmingham just the beginning for Przybylko

Six-day Observer Programme takes place in Birmingham

IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018 ends on high with world record – day four wrap