Matt Hudson-Smith achieved a remarkable feat at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium, becoming the first man to secure three European Championship 400m titles. The 31-year-old athlete, racing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, delivered an impressive performance by clocking in at 44.17 seconds to win the final. Starting from lane nine, Hudson-Smith set a strong pace early on and managed to hold onto his lead despite a slight slowdown in the final stretch.
Behind him, France’s Muhammad Abdallah Kounta claimed the silver medal with a time of 44.40 seconds, while the Netherlands’ Jonas Phijffers earned the bronze, setting a national record of 44.41 seconds in the process. For Hudson-Smith, the victory was particularly significant as it took place at a venue where he has trained since his childhood, adding an emotional layer to his historic win.
Adding to the success of British athletes at the event, Emily Newnham captured a silver medal in the women’s 400m hurdles. She marked a personal milestone by completing the race in 53.33 seconds, her personal best. The gold medal in this category went to Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalova, who finished in 52.91 seconds. Meanwhile, Portugal’s Fatoumata Binta Diallo secured the bronze, setting a national record with her time of 53.55 seconds.
Hudson-Smith’s triumph and Newnham’s strong finish underscored a successful outing for the British team at the European Championships. The events at Alexander Stadium highlighted the depth of talent and competitive spirit among the athletes, with records being set and personal bests achieved across various disciplines. The wins were a testament to the hard work and dedication of the athletes and provided a thrilling spectacle for the fans in Birmingham.