Kirani James World Champion 400m 44.60s (Video)
>> August 30, 2011
Kirani James of Grenada set a personal best 44.60s to win the gold medal in the men's 400m at the IAAF Daegu World Championships. The medal is the first for Grenada in any event at the World championships in athletics. The 18-year-old (19 years on September 01) upsets the defending world champion LaShawn Meritt in the silver medal position (44.43). Belgium's Kevin Borlee took the bronze medal in 44.90s.
Meritt was expected to defend his world title when he ran a world lead 44.35s in the round 1, but it's really the day for Kirani who chased down Meritt at last 10 meters. With the victory, Kirani James became the youngest athlete to win the men's 400m at the IAAF World championships. The time however is way off the world junior record 43.87s set by Steven Lewis of USA enroute to win the gold medal at 1988 Olympics.
Beside that, there's another great achievement in the finals. Belgians Kevin Borlee (bronze) and Jonathan Borlee (fifth) are a pair of twins, and without any doubt the fastest twins in the world for quarter-mile event. The twins coached by their father, Jacques Borlee.
Beside that, there's another great achievement in the finals. Belgians Kevin Borlee (bronze) and Jonathan Borlee (fifth) are a pair of twins, and without any doubt the fastest twins in the world for quarter-mile event. The twins coached by their father, Jacques Borlee.
Results (400m Men Final)
1, Kirani James, GRN, 44.60 NR (Rt 0.137)
2, LaShawn Meritt, USA, 44.63 (Rt 0.263)
3, Kevin Borlee, BEL, 44.90 (Rt 0.182)
4, Jermaine Gonzales, JAM, 44.99 (Rt 0.138)
5, Jonathan Borlee, BEL, 45.07 (Rt 0.160)
6, Rondell Bartholomew, GRN, 45.45 (Rt 0.314)
7, Tabarie Henry, ISV, 45.55 (Rt 0.167)
8, Femi Seun-Ogunode, QAT, 45.55 (Rt 0.170)
Video of 400m Men Final (Kirani James 44.60) - Daegu World Championships
