Canada’s Tyler Christopher wins gold in 400 at world indoor track and field championships
Sunday, March 09, 2008
VALENCIA, Spain - Tyler Christopher of Edmonton won the gold medal in the men’s 400-metre on Sunday at the world indoor track and field championships. He clocked a Canadian record 45.67 seconds, which is also the fastest time this year.
Sweden's Johan Wissman was second in 46.04, while Chris Brown of the Bahamaswas third in 46.26.
‘’I’ve had bronze (world outdoor championships) and silver (Pan Am Games) and now I got the gold,’’ Christopher said. ‘’Getting any world title is an amazing accomplishment and an amazing feeling. I’m proud to put Canadaand myself on the map. I had all the confidence in the world I could do it.’’
Christopher earned $40,000 US for winning the final. He started in lane 5 and was third with 40 metres to go before surging to victory.
‘’The race didn’t go as planned,’’ said Christopher. ‘’I wanted to be out front early but I was pushed back to third. The key for me was to make sure I had energy reserved for the last 60-70 metres. I looked at the competition in front of me, saw where they were at and how they were feeling and I just knew I had the confidence to pass them.’’
Christopher is the first Canadian male to win a world title since Montreal's Bruny Surin captured the 60-metre title in Barcelonain 1995.
Christopher won bronze medal at the 2005 world outdoor championships. He said he was particularly satisfied to beat Brown who beat him for gold in a controversial race at last year’s Pan Am Games in Rio.
‘’The biggest thing I’ll take to the Olympics is that I know that if I believe in myself I can do it,’’ he said.
Christopher’s victory was Canada’s sole medal at these championships.
-AC-
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