Dominican Marileidy Paulino, after correcting an error in the start of the semifinal race, qualified as second in her series (49.82) for the final of the 400-meter flat race at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships.
Paulino, also an Olympic champion in Paris, finished second behind the Polish Natalia Bukowiecka (49.67), and only five hundredths ahead of the Norwegian Henriette Jaeger (49.87), who was eliminated and had options until almost the end.
“I wanted to spend as little energy as possible to reach the final. I am motivated to surpass myself as long as my age (28 years old) and my physique allow me. God and I will make history here,” said Paulino, after finishing the race.
The Dominican’s main rival in the 400m final is American Sidney McLaughlin-Levrone, double Olympic champion in the 400m hurdles.
“This race definitely gives me confidence for the final. I just want to go out there and do it well again. I didn’t expect to run so fast today. I still have a lot to show. I feel strong and good and I trust my physical condition. I will give it my all in the final,” declared the American.
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Cuban Roxana Gómez will also be in the final, five-time national champion of the distance, who finished second in her series with 49.78, the sixth-best time of the eight qualifiers. EFE
This race certainly gives me confidence for the final. I just want to go out there and do it well again. I didn’t expect to run so fast today. I still have a lot to show. I feel strong and good, and I trust my physical condition. I will give it my all in the final.
Marileidy Paulino advances to the 400-meter final, finishing second with a time of 49.82 seconds at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships. A “mistake” oversight could have cost the Dominican her qualification, as she slowed down at the end of the race after dominating it.
