Doha (AFP)

Prodigious: At the end of a sensational duel with the promising Sydney McLaughlin, the American Dalilah Muhammad again pushed the limits on 400 m hurdles by improving his own world record to win the first world title of his career, Friday in Doha.

In a fiery atmosphere, contrasting with the sluggishness of the beginning of the competition, the confrontation between Muhammad and his young compatriot (20 years) has, as expected, kept the Khalifa stadium in suspense and resulted in a historic performance. Three months after overtaking Yulia Pechonkina of Russia (52 sec 20) in the US selections at Des Moines (Iowa), the 2016 Olympic champion re-offended by lowering her own time by 4 hundredths (52 sec 16 ) to further strengthen its place in the legend of athletics.

When taking stock of these Worlds, there is no doubt that the victory of the former student of the University of Southern California will necessarily top the list.

However, the challenge was tough against the last American nugget, Sydney McLaughlin, who had beaten her twice this season before landing in Qatar (June 13 in Oslo and August 29 in the final of the Diamond League in Zurich) ). But Muhammad, a fervent Muslim whose father is imam in Queens, his birthplace in New York, was driven by an unshakeable faith and ready to raise mountains.

- Anthology race -

Author of a supersonic start, the 29-year-old rider managed to resist the express return of her compatriot in the last meters to save a small but sufficient advantage. McLaughlin still completed the 400m hurdles in 52 sec 23, becoming the 2nd overall performer of all time, which is the measure of this anthology race.

"It means so much to me that it's hard to describe," said Dalilah Muhammad, "I wanted to be the world champion but beat the world record again, it's fantastic. huge pressure on my shoulders and I made the decision to leave quickly to get the title but I felt Sydney come back after the 9th hurdle and then I gave all that I had left, I did not even know who had won by crossing the line. "

Muhammad comes back from a distance. Part on a very good foundation with a silver medal at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, his career has known a sudden dip due to a virus and then an injury. But it has risen again to the highest level by winning Olympic gold in Rio before exploding in terms of time this year.

If Muhammad has entered the annals, the future looks bright for McLaughlin and his exceptional time in Doha opens great prospects for him. Named revelation of the year in 2018 by the International Federation (IAAF), she became professional only a year ago after running under the colors of the University of Kentucky. In other words, the planet track and field has not finished hearing about it.

- Sparks expected at the Olympics -

"I knew the race would be fast but I did not think it would be that bad," she said, "I gave everything I had and at least the United States is one and two. I'm still young and every day here will be a new experience for me. "

If it continues its momentum, there is no doubt that McLaughlin will have all the time and time to tackle Muhammad's record in the years to come. Their next rendezvous at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 promises to spark.

During a crazy night in Doha, local hero Mutaz Essa Barshim (2.37 m), back to the top after a serious ankle injury, took his second consecutive crown to the height while the Bahamian Steven Gardiner flew over the 400m placing 6th overall in 43 sec 48.

There was also a huge suspense on the 3000m steeplechase which was played a hair in favor of the Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto (8:31 sec 35), crowned for the second time in a row on the world face to the Ethiopian Lamecha Girma (8 min 01 sec 36).

© 2019 AFP