It became chaotic after the men's final on 400 meters hurdles in Tokyo. The American Rai Benjamin ran in as the winner on 46.52. But after having celebrated the gold for a long time down on the tracks came the message that he was disqualified.
Benjamin, who had a gold crown on his head, looked disappointed when he took off the glittering headgear. The replays showed no clear rule violations and after a short while came the next turn – when the disqualification was lifted and Benjamin again stood as the gold medalist.
It was crazy, a real rollercoaster. But what would a World Championship be without a little drama... I tried to control my feelings down there. You work so hard to get here and when you win – then you get disqualified, he says.
But they sorted it out in the end.
Brazilian Alison dos Santos had the gold for a while but was ultimately happy with the silver.
It was a strange feeling. It's not the way I want to win the gold, I'm glad it got sorted out in the end.
29-year-old Karsten Warholm went out hard but slowed down towards the end and ran in as fifth on 47.58.
The Norwegian was disappointed afterwards.
It's just crap, he says.
Warholm says he got a feeling in his left leg directly on the way out from the starting blocks.
Something happened when I came out from the block, like a little stretch. Trying to run hurdles didn't work. I tried but it was a terrible race, a disaster.
Karsten Warholm is the world record holder on the distance and has taken an Olympic Games gold and three World Championship golds. This is the second championship in a row where it won't be gold – he had to settle for silver in the Olympic Games in Paris last year.
The women's 400 meters hurdles was won by the big favorite Femke Bol, Netherlands.
