Chris Brown of Bahamas on his way to winning gold in the 400m final (© Getty Images)
Third time lucky. After winning bronze at the last two editions of the World Indoor Championships, Chris Brown of the Bahamas finally struck gold in the men’s 400m here in Doha.
Brown clocked a season’s best 45.96 to cross the finish line unchallenged but no-one will ever know what would have been had pre-event favourites Bershawn Jackson and David Gillick not collided coming off the final bend.
The incident profited 23-year-old William Collazo who matched Roberto Hernandez’ silver medal of 13 years ago for Cuba’s best result in the history of the event. Jamaal Torrance of the US took bronze in 46.43 while Nery Brenes of Costa Rica had yet again to be content with fourth.
It would be easy to blame indoor inexperience as the cause of Jackson’s failure and although ‘Batman’ did relinquish the lead to Brown as they reached the bell, the former 400m Hurdles World champion did look in a comfortable position to speed past Brown coming off the final bend.
However, that is precisely when two-time European Indoor champion Gillick, drawn in lane 3 after coming second to Jackson himself in yesterday’s semi-final, decided to make his move. A little carried over, Gillick opted for the inside corridor although there was clearly not enough room for his large frame to go past unless Jackson made space for him. And as we know, no-one makes space when a gold medal is at stake and as a result both sprinters virtually came to a complete halt.
Both tried to recover their momentum but their time had gone.
Coming out of nowhere Collazo had plenty of time to celebrate Cuba’s second medal of the day following Yargelis Savigne’s silver in the Triple Jump. Meanwhile Torrance had to zig-zag his way past Jackson and Gillick with Brenes just 12 hundredths off making history for his country.
Credit has to be given to Brown, who despite all that happened, maintained his composure and proved the strongest runner and wiser tactician through the rounds. He said: “I did what I had to do. Outdoors I didn't do what I had to do, but indoors I've got two bronze and now the gold. That speaks for itself. I came in with the most experience. It paid off for me to lead.”
Collazo was equally ecstatic: “My teammates told me I could medal as Roberto Hernandez did in 1987. I was very confident coming to this final. It was a complicated race and it was not the best race, but there is no fear. This medal is the most important accomplishment in my career. Two silver medals for Cuba and my teammates will add more joy in Doha.”
Editor's note: 19:30pm local time - Jury of Appeal's decision in the men's 400m - Ireland's David Gillick was disqualified for obstruction.
Laura Arcoleo for the IAAF
