Tokyo Olympics: Steven Gardiner crowned the new Olympic 400m champion

Tokyo Olympics: Steven Gardiner crowned the new Olympic 400m champion

Steven Gardiner

Bahamas quarter-miler Steven Gardiner has been crowned the new men’s 400m Olympic champion with a time of 43.85 seconds. The final at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics was an exciting affair with a close-cut run throughout. The 400m event involves speed, endurance as well as strategy making it one of the most unique and thrilling events in athletics.

The men’s 400m finals at the Rio Olympics had been a story for the books as South African Wayde Van Niekerk created a new world record of 43.03 seconds. The finale this time around did not disappoint either. However, shocking news hit the fans when current world record holder Van Niekerk failed to qualify for the finals after suffering from an injury.

However, despite his absence, several top stars graced the incredible line-up. USA stars Michael Cherry and Michael Norman, Dutch Liemarvin Bonevacia, Kirani James, Anthony Jose Zambrano and the now champion Steven Gardiner.

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Steven Gardiner makes it to the podium for the second time

The men's 400m final at Tokyo Olympics
The men’s 400m final at Tokyo Olympic

Bahamas quarter-miler Steven Gardner clinched the gold medal at the men’s 400m in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics giving a performance of 43.85 seconds. Anthony Jose Zambrano of Columbia bagged second place with a time of 44.08 seconds. And Kirani James of Grenada won the bronze medal clocking 44.19 seconds.

This 400m finale saw more experience runners taking the field and the podium. Steven Gardiner has made his way to the podium for the second time in Tokyo. He had grabbed the bronze in the 4x400m relays at the Rio Olympics. With his victory today he has become the first Bahamian man to win an individual Olympics gold in any sport.

While bronze medallist, Kirani James has produced an incredible fightback after struggling with being diagnosed with Grave’s disease in 2017, losing his mother in 2019, and a few niggling injuries. This bronze is his third medal in the Olympics after winning gold in London and a silver in Rio.

The 400m race was very closely run until Gardiner pulled away from the others in the last few metres.

Also Read: Tokyo Olympics Athletics: Neeraj Chopra tops Group A with a stunning first attempt to cruise through to the final