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Viking Warholm wins hurdles, 3rd gold for Russian Lasitskene

Posted September 30, 2019 7:00 am

By JAMES ELLINGWORTH

Karsten Warholm, of Norway reacts before the start of the men's 400m hurdles final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) The Associated Press

DOHA, Qatar (AP) - Karsten Warholm remains the man to beat in the 400-meter hurdles ahead of next year's Olympics after defending his world track championship title Monday, while Qatar celebrated the host nation's first medal.

The Norwegian hurdler donned a Viking-style horned helmet - accessorized with an Arab man's headband - to celebrate winning in 47.42 seconds. He had briefly looked capable of challenging Kevin Young's 27-year-old world record but faded on the final turn.

Abderrahman Samba delighted the Qataris in the sparse crowd with bronze behind Rai Benjamin of the United States. That sparked a stampede of fans rushing to the front of the VIP section.

Once again at these poorly attended championships, the day's showpiece final was run in front of rows of empty seats.

Kenyan and Ethiopian fans made by far the most noise of the evening for the men's 5,000 final but left when the distance events finished. Muktar Edris repeated as world champion ahead of fellow Ethiopian Selemon Barega.

It was the Kenyans' turn to cheer in the women's 3,000 steeplechase as Beatrice Chepkoech won with Emma Coburn second for the U.S.

Caster Semenya cast a long shadow over the women's 800. The South African defending champ wasn't running because she refuses IAAF demands to medically reduce her natural testosterone levels.

In her stead, Uganda's Halimah Nakaayi stormed to the gold medal before celebrating with exuberant dances. Ajee Wilson had to settle for silver for the United States.

Russia's team of officially neutral athletes celebrated a second gold thanks to a third consecutive world title for high jumper Mariya Lasitskene.

One of the most dominant athletes of recent years in any event, Lasitskene is a prominent critic of the suspended Russian track federation's faltering efforts to show it had reformed.

Sweden celebrated its first world gold medal in six years as Daniel Stahl won the men's discus.

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Karsten Warholm, of Norway wins the gold medal in the men's 400m hurdles final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) The Associated Press

Muktar Edris, of Ethiopia reacts after winning the gold medal in the men's 5000 meter final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) The Associated Press

Mariya Lasitskene, of participates as a neutral athlete, clears the bar during the women's high jump finals at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) The Associated Press

Halimah Nakaayi, of Uganda celebrates as she wins the gold medal in the women's 800 meter final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) The Associated Press

Daniel StÃ¥hl, of Sweden, reacts after winning the gold medal in the men's discus throw final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) The Associated Press

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