Matt Hudson-Smith etched his name in history at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium by becoming the first man to clinch three European Championship 400m titles. Competing before a supportive home crowd, the 31-year-old delivered a commanding performance, securing victory in the final with a time of 44.17 seconds. Positioned in lane nine, Hudson-Smith established an early lead that he held onto, despite a slight slowdown in the race’s final stages.
In a race that saw fierce competition, France’s Muhammad Abdallah Kounta crossed the finish line in 44.40 seconds to claim the silver, while Jonas Phijffers of the Netherlands took home the bronze with a national-record time of 44.41 seconds. Hudson-Smith’s triumph was particularly poignant, as he grew up in the Birmingham area and honed his skills at the very stadium where he achieved this remarkable feat.
The British team celebrated further success in the women’s 400m hurdles, where Emily Newnham delivered a strong performance to capture the silver medal. Newnham clocked a personal-best time of 53.33 seconds, highlighting her impressive finish. Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalova took the gold with a time of 52.91 seconds, and Portugal’s Fatoumata Binta Diallo earned the bronze, setting a national record with her time of 53.55 seconds.
Hudson-Smith’s achievement on home soil resonated deeply with the local crowd, marking a memorable moment for the athlete who has trained at Alexander Stadium since his youth. The success of both Hudson-Smith and Newnham in their respective events underscored a strong showing for Britain in the European Championships.