Noor Vidts wins world indoor pentathlon title for second time in a row
Belgium's Noor Vidts wrote a piece of history in Glasgow on Friday evening by becoming the first athlete to defend her pentathlon title at an indoor World Championships. "It's very nice, but I don't look for things like that," she laughed after receiving her gold medal.
Vidts won the competition with 4,773 points, well below her personal best of 4,929. She was very satisfied with her performances in the shot put (14m26) and the long jump (6m50), which were both season's bests. "I felt good in the other events, but there weren't any surprises. But I know this is in store for the [Olympics this] summer.’
Before the event, Spain's Maria Vicente was considered Vidts' main competitor. However, she suffered an injury during the high jump, the second discipline. In Belgium's Nafi Thiam, Britain's Katarina Johnson-Thompson and American Anna Hall, a number of top players were missing in Glasgow, who will be expected to compete in Paris this summer during the Olympic heptathlon.
"It will be a different line-up, but I just have to try to keep improving myself. That remains the most important thing," said Vidts.
Another Belgian, Alexander Doom, qualified for the final in the 400m. He won his heat in the afternoon, followed by victory in the semi-finals, where he set a personal best of 45.69. The final is scheduled for Saturday evening. Doom is also part of the Belgian Tornados, 4x400m relay team, who will defend their world title on Sunday.
Eliott Crestan, with a win in his heat, and Tibo De Smet both qualified for the semi-finals of the 800m, which will be run on Saturday. The finals will follow on Sunday.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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