Doom strikes to end Warholm’s 400m win streak in Glasgow

With a superb final surge, Alexander Doom claimed the world indoor 400m crown at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24 on Saturday (2), ending Karsten Warholm’s decade-long win streak in the discipline.

Doom, part of the world indoor gold medal-winning Belgian 4x400m quartet in Belgrade two years ago, had threatened the national record in the semifinals, clocking a PB of 45.69 on Friday evening. He returned 24 hours later to improve again, breaking the mark with 45.25 to deny Warholm another global title.

Before this world indoor final, Norway's Warholm had never been beaten in an indoor 400m. Since making his debut in the discipline in 2013, he had maintained a win streak that he hoped would continue with a world indoor title to go with his three outdoor world 400m hurdles crowns.

But Doom was an inspired rival. Lining up in the outside lane six with Warholm to his left in lane five, Doom’s start was good, but Warholm’s was better. Warholm – the world 400m hurdles record-holder – started closing the stagger along the top bend and led at the bell, which he passed in 21.30.

Doom was right behind him and didn’t let Warholm get away, pouncing off the final bend and running wide to stride past Warholm in the closing stages.

Doom let out a roar as he crossed the finish line in 45.25 and he put his hands to his head in disbelief and delight. Warholm followed him in 45.34 to get a world indoor silver to accompany his three world 400m hurdles titles and his Olympic gold, while Jamaica’s Rusheen McDonald ran another PB having improved with each round, leaving Glasgow with a best of 45.65 for bronze.

“It's amazing. I never expected this, because we didn't really have this in our sights,” said Doom. “Usually I am just focused on the 4x400m, but I loved running individually.”

It will surely have been an even more emotional victory, given Doom received a message from former national record-holder and 4x400m teammate Julien Watrin – who had to miss the event after being diagnosed with testicular cancer – to say that he believed his compatriot could take his record.

“The heats and the semis went really well yesterday, and to beat Karsten Warholm today is really amazing,” Doom added. “He's an Olympic champion and has won almost everything there is. Not many people have beaten him.”

Warholm was philosophical in defeat. “I didn't have time to do all the winter work I usually do so I was feeling it a bit with the rounds,” said the 28-year-old, whose last race before Glasgow had been the Diamond League final in Eugene in September. “It was a last minute decision to come here. As long as I didn't get any injuries, it was all OK. Of course, I wish I had won today, but it was so nice coming out here and performing in front of all that noise.”

It was also a successful campaign for McDonald, who entered the competition with an indoor best of 47.05 and improved to 46.25 in the heats, 46.02 in the semifinals and then 45.65 to win his first individual global medal.

The title defence of Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards came to an end in the semifinals, when he finished fourth in 46.64.

Four athletes had the indoor races of their lives en route to making the final. Alongside Doom and McDonald, Portugal’s Joao Coelho and Hungary’s Attila Molnar both ran national indoor records in their semifinal.

Jess Whittington for World Athletics