Christian Coleman Roars To 60m Gold At The World Indoor Championships

Christian Coleman Roars To 60m Gold At The World Indoor Championships
09:05, 04 Mar 2018

The retirement of Usain Bolt was a cause for consternation among many athletics fans last summer but Christian Coleman has become the first to raise his hand in the quest to fill the sizable shoes of the great Jamaican sprinter.

Coleman, who set a world record over 60m with a time of 6.34 seconds in Albuquerque in February, set a championship record en route to winning gold at the World Indoor Championships on Saturday night. The American exuded an air of quiet confidence before taking to his starting blocks and he then exploded into life to win in 6.37 seconds at Arena Birmingham.

"I have a good chance to lead the sport in the post-Bolt era but like I've told so many others, loads of guys have the talent," said Coleman after the race.

"I have to make sure I keep working to stay on top and when I get the opportunity to take gold medals you take them."

The 21-year-old beat a high-class field, with China's Su Bingtain (6.42) taking silver and USA's Ronnie Baker (6.44) was third. However, Great Britain's CJ Ujah, who had been outspoken in talking about the newly crowned world champion before this meeting - "Coleman puts down a great time, but can he do it when it counts?" - was disqualified after a false start in his semi-final. 

There was better news for Great Britain in the West Midlands though as Laura Muir produced a superb effort to win silver in the women's 1500m, less than 48 hours after taking bronze in the 3000m on Friday. As was the case two days earlier, Ethiopia's Genzebe Dibaba was too good for the rest.

"I was very close to silver in the 3000m so I knew I just had to go for it this time," said Muir. "I knew if I made the right moves, I could get another medal, and improve on the bronze.

"I've finished fourth, sixth and seventh in world finals before so to win two medals this time around is amazing; it is about time."

Muir's silver medal came after fellow Scot, Eilidh Doyle, took bronze in the women's 400m. The 31-year-old enjoyed a roller-coaster of emotions as she initially failed to qualify for the final before a disqualification saw her promoted to the finale, where she went on to pick up her first ever individual medal in a global event.

"I’ve always won medals in the relays but to win one on my own in an individual 400m is very special and means a lot," said Doyle. "It’s not my preferred event so to do this is incredible."

Great Britain's Elliot Giles was briefly promoted from fourth place to the bronze medal position following the men's 800m final after USA's Drew Windle was disqualified but an hour of uncertainty followed as Windle appealed the decision and he was eventually reinstated, with the original race result standing.

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