Umar storms into men’s 400m final

PETALING JAYA: Umar Osman rewrote his national 400m record for the second time at the World University Games in Chengdu when he clocked 46.09s in the semi-finals on Wednesday (Aug 2).

Umar utilised the opportunity of running in the favoured Lane 4 to smash his previous record of 46.33s he set on Tuesday (Aug 1) by finishing third in Heat 3 to advance to the final.

Australian Reece Nathaniel Holder clocked the fastest time to win at 45.75s while Japan’s Kenki Imaizumi clocked 46.01s.

The top two runners from each of the three heats advanced to the final while Umar was also through as the two of the fastest finishers.

Overall, the 20-year-old Umar was placed fourth fastest among 21 runners who competed in the 400m semi-finals.

Another Japanese runner Naohiro Jinushi, who won Heat 2 by registering 45.90s, was the second fastest behind Holder.

The final will take place in Chengdu on Thursday (Aug 3), where Umar has an outside chance of a podium finish if he continues his hot form.