THE ABSENCE OF Olympic champion Quincy Hall — out with injury since taking gold — left silver and bronze medalists Matthew Hudson-Smith and Muzala Samukonga as the men to watch. To their inside in lane 4 ran 32-year-old Kirani James, DL titlist the past 2 years and the 5th-placer in Paris. They were soon to be taken by surprise.
Cool conditions are not the friendliest to quartermilers and mid-backstretch Hudson-Smith pulled up into a jog, apparently injured. Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi in lane 2 led through 200 in 21.09 from Vernon Norwood (21.16 in 3), Samukonga (21.25 in 6) and James (21.27)
When USA relay gold medalist Norwood hit 300 in front at 32.39 from James (32.45) and Samukonga (32.62), the top 3 looked set. At 350m that order held, but a figure streaking on the outside in lane 7 was shaking things up.
Charlie Dobson had run 7th throughout the first 300 (32.85) and suddenly he’d caught fire. Fourth at 350, 0.25 behind leader Norwood, the 24-year-old Briton looked to be just finding his legs, and they proved useful. He rolled up Samukonga, Norwood and then James to snag the lead some 5m out for a 44.49 win from James (44.63), Samukonga (44.69) and Norwood (44.78).
With an 11.64 final 100, to 12.07 for next-fastest closer Samukonga, Dobson had essayed a thoroughly rewarding season’s end in a campaign that saw him PR by 0.65 in his first race back in May (44.46), improve to 44.23 at the London DL yet miss the final in Paris.
“I could have never imagined to have won tonight, I am so happy,” he said. “I just tried to run my own race and to enjoy myself so this is really promising for next year!”
Results
1. Charlie Dobson (GB) 44.49 (11.11, 10.53 [21.64], 11.21 [32.85], 11.64) (21.64/22.85); 2. Kirani James (Grn) 44.63 (10.93, 10.34 [21.27], 11.18 [32.45], 12.18) (21.27/23.36); 3. Muzala Samukonga (Zam) 44.69; 4. Vernon Norwood (US) 44.78; 5. Bayapo Ndori (Bot) 45.59; 6. Jonathan Sacoor (Bel) 45.93; 7. Collen Kebinatshipi (Bot) 46.43; 8. Matthew Hudson-Smith (GB) 2:37.21 (cramped).
