Two-time European 400m champion Matthew Hudson-Smith smashed his European record at the Bislett Games in Oslo on Thursday (30) evening.
Hudson-Smith rounded off the bend at the Bislett Stadium with a substantial lead and the Brit maintained his advantage in the home straight for a statement victory in a sparkling time of 44.07.
The 29-year-old took ownership of the European record held by East Germany’s Thomas Schonlebe at 44.33 since 1987 with 44.26 in the semifinals of the World Athletics Championships but Hudson-Smith shaved almost two-tenths from that mark in far from ideal conditions in the Norwegian capital.
“This year I am healthy so that gives me confidence as last year I came into the season from tendonitis in my achilles so I had a very up and down season and it was bittersweet to get so close to the gold after the injury,” said Hudson-Smith who won the 400m and 4x400m titles at the 2022 European Athletics Championships.
Looking ahead to Roma 2024 which begins next Friday, he said: “With the Europeans so close I will probably have to be back to training tomorrow - I will get a view from my coach.”
And could we see a repeat of the upside down bib which people on social media commented on? “I did not even realise my number was upside down tonight - maybe that will be my lucky charm going forward!” said Hudson-Smith who now has ownership of the three fastest times by in history in the 400m.