Matt Hudson-Smith achieved a historic milestone at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium by becoming the first man to secure three European Championship titles in the 400m event. The 31-year-old athlete, competing in front of a supportive home crowd, delivered an impressive performance to clinch victory, clocking 44.17 seconds. Starting from lane nine, Hudson-Smith established a commanding lead early in the race and managed to hold onto his advantage despite slightly losing pace towards the finish.
The competition saw France’s Muhammad Abdallah Kounta secure the silver medal with a time of 44.40 seconds, while Jonas Phijffers from the Netherlands earned bronze, setting a national record at 44.41 seconds. Hudson-Smith, who has deep local ties having grown up in the Birmingham area and trained at the stadium since his youth, expressed that winning on his home track added a special significance to his achievement.
In another notable performance, Britain celebrated success in the women’s 400m hurdles. Emily Newnham delivered a remarkable finish, earning a silver medal with a personal-best time of 53.33 seconds. The gold medal was claimed by Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalova, who finished the race in 52.91 seconds, while Portugal’s Fatoumata Binta Diallo took bronze, also setting a national record with a time of 53.55 seconds.
Hudson-Smith’s remarkable achievement underscores his dominance in the 400m on the European stage, while Newnham’s silver adds to Britain’s impressive track and field accomplishments. The performances at the European Championships highlight the significant talent and competitive spirit present within the team, as they continue to make strides on the international athletics scene.