Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium, Matt Hudson-Smith etched his name in history by becoming the first man to clinch three European Championship 400m titles. The 31-year-old delivered a commanding performance to secure victory in the final, clocking a time of 44.17 seconds. Positioned in lane nine, Hudson-Smith set a brisk pace from the outset and managed to hold onto his lead despite a slight slowdown in the final stretch.
The race saw France’s Muhammad Abdallah Kounta claim the silver medal with a finish of 44.40 seconds, while the Netherlands’ Jonas Phijffers earned bronze, setting a national record with his time of 44.41 seconds. Hudson-Smith’s triumph was particularly significant as it occurred on his home turf; he grew up in the Birmingham area and has been training at the Alexander Stadium since his childhood. Winning on this familiar ground held a special place in his heart.
In another highlight for the host nation, Britain’s success extended to the women’s 400m hurdles, where Emily Newnham delivered an impressive performance to secure a silver medal. Newnham posted a personal best time of 53.33 seconds, demonstrating her strong finish in a competitive field.
The gold medal in the women’s 400m hurdles was claimed by Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalova, who finished with a time of 52.91 seconds. Meanwhile, Portugal’s Fatoumata Binta Diallo completed the race with a national record time of 53.55 seconds, earning her the bronze medal.