Last second passes, teammates going head-to-head and one man trying to flip the script, the men’s 400m final had it all at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships on Friday (7 August).
Billed as a showdown between United States’ relay teammates Jayden DeLeon and Olympic gold medallist Quincy Wilson, the race unfolded as a dramatic display of moves and countermoves.
South Africa’s Leendert Koekemoer led coming off the final bend, but was overhauled the by the home stars in the closing metres, with DeLeon getting the better of Wilson in a championship record of 44.47 seconds.
“I saw him creep up on me at 300m. I knew he had a strong third 100m. I studied film, I watched and waited. When he came [hard], I came again,” DeLeon told the media, breaking down his winning move.
“It means the world to me,” he added of the medal hung around his neck. “My training has been perfect, so it all came down to me and getting this dub (win).”
While Wilson pushed hard to try and win his first major title since winning gold as part of Team USA’s men’s 4x400m squad at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, he came up short in a season’s best of 44.62.
“The race was a great experience,” he told reporters. “I’m going to get back in the lab and get ready for tomorrow (men’s 4x400m). I’m happy. My next step is to go back to college and go to work.”
South African sensation Koekemoer won bronze, after a quick third quarter of the race saw him fade in the final 50 metres, eventually crossing the finish line in 44.96.
“It was amazing, final was good, competition was exactly what I expected it to be,” he said of the race. “At the end of the day, I would’ve wanted the gold, but it is what it is. It’s my first world stage medal in my individual sport. I’m very proud of myself.”.
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READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/world-athletics-u20-championships-2026-jayden-deleon-wins-men-400m-final
