Matt Hudson-Smith etched his name in history at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium by becoming the first man to clinch three European Championship 400m titles. The 31-year-old local favorite delivered an impressive performance, clocking in at 44.17 seconds in the final. Positioned in lane nine, Hudson-Smith set a blistering pace right from the start and, despite losing some momentum towards the end, managed to maintain his lead.
His victory was witnessed by an enthusiastic home crowd, making the achievement even more special for Hudson-Smith, who has been training at the stadium since he was a child. The race saw France’s Muhammad Abdallah Kounta come in second with a time of 44.40 seconds, while the Netherlands’ Jonas Phijffers secured the bronze with a national-record time of 44.41 seconds.
In addition to Hudson-Smith’s triumph, Great Britain celebrated another success in the women’s 400m hurdles. Emily Newnham delivered a personal-best performance, securing a silver medal with a time of 53.33 seconds. The gold went to Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalova, who finished with a time of 52.91 seconds. Portugal’s Fatoumata Binta Diallo completed the podium, claiming bronze with a national-record time of 53.55 seconds.
Hudson-Smith’s achievement on his home track adds a sentimental layer to his record-setting victory, as he has a deep connection to the Birmingham area. Meanwhile, Newnham’s remarkable finish in the hurdles adds to Britain’s impressive medal tally, showcasing the depth of talent in British athletics.