Team USA star Quincy Hall won a dramatic gold medal in the men’s 400m after hinting he was going to deliver at the Paris Olympics .
On Thursday at the Stade de France, Hall defeated Team GB’s Matthew Hudson Smith and Zambia's Muzuala Samukonga to clinch gold . The American was fourth heading into the final straight but produced a magical sprint to cross the line first.
Hall posted a time of 43.40 to set a personal best . He trailed early as Hudson-Smith led for much of the race, but Hall’s dash allowed him to catch the Brit steps before the finish line after already overtaking Grenada's Kirani James and Trinidad's Jereem Richards.
READ MORE: Noah Lyles 'playing same game' in 200m to boost USA's hopes of another gold
READ MORE: Lamecha Girma suffers horror fall in Steeplechase as Olympic star stretchered off in neck brace
The 26-year-old avenged his third-place finish in the event at last year’s World Championships in Budapest. He was also part of the mixed 4x400m relay team that won gold at that meet.
Hall was confident heading into the Olympics. After a race in July, he said: "I knew I could run fast. After the US trials I knew I needed to step up my game a little bit and that it would be enough to run this fast. I feel like I have a lot more in my tank. I just need to start strong and then I can finish strong as well. Going to Paris, I do not feel like I have a target on my back."
His confident declaration came true. Hall delivered Olympic gold in remarkable circumstances, ensuring he joined USA teammate - and rival - Noah Lyles as a champion.
Follow us on X for the best and latest in sports news
Last month, during a podcast appearance, Lyles speculated over which sprinters he’d include on his dream American 4x400m relay team. Suspiciously absent from Lyles' selections was the man who won the U.S. title in the 400 at Olympic Trials this past June. He opted to omit Hall, who certainly made the sprint star eat his words.
For Hall, the victory ultimately validated his decision to switch his focus from the 400m hurdles to the 400m two years ago. He was the 2019 NCAA champion in the 400m hurdles at South Carolina, but earlier this summer, he told Olympics.com that he was “wasting time” running that event as a pro.
Now an Olympic champion, Hall is certainly not wasting time.
Most Popular
Comments / 0