LaShawn Merritt of the United States couldn’t have made it look any easier when winning the 400m World Junior title.
The US 200m and 400m champion clocked a blistering 45.25, the fastest time in the world this year, to clinch gold ahead of Nagmelidin Ali Abubakr of Sudan and Botswana’s Obakeng Ngwigwa who finished a distant second and third in the same time of 45.97.
Pointing his finger towards the sky just before the start and just after crossing the finish line so as to thank God, Merritt was the fastest out of the blocks and soon caught up Russia’s Velentin Kruglyakov in lane 5 who would eventually finish fourth.
Helped by a very long stride and seemingly effortless technique Merritt was well in the lead with 100 metres to go and when Ngwigwa tried to close the gap the determination and power of Merritt came out as the American accelerated even more 50 metres from the line.
While Merritt’s win was secured, Abubakr and Ngwigwa had to wait for the examination of the photo finish to be awarded silver and bronze respectively with the latter improving the national record of Botswana.
In fifth Serdar Tamac of Turkey also set a new national junior record of 46.63.
Merritt also improved the Championships record of 45.27 set by American Obea Moore in 1996.
