Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser reacts after winning the women’s 400 metres final during the IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, on Thursday.
Salwa Eid Naser, who became the first Asian to win the women’s 400m gold with the third fastest time in history, hopes to keep improving as she targets a possible world record time at the Tokyo Olympics.
Eid Nasser stunned Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo as she surged past the Bahamian on the back straight to win in 48.14 seconds.
“No, to win yes, but I was not expecting that time,” Eid Nasser said.
The Bahraini athlete said her competitors pushed her to achieve the record timing at the IAAF World Championships.
“Running with these amazing ladies, I don’t think I would have done it alone. Especially against Shaunae Miller-Uibo, I always run for the best because she is a really strong athlete. I think they really pushed me to get this time,” the 21-year-old Nigerian-born athlete said.
Miller-Uibo took silver in 48.37 as the Bahamian suffered her first defeat over the distance since she inexplicably stumbled with victory in her grasp in London two years ago.
“Whenever I run with this fast lady, I always run fast times. Running this race really motivated me a lot. I keep my fingers crossed for the Olympics, I hope I will keep on improving,” she said on her rivalry with Miller-Uibo will propel her towards the world record.
“I wasn’t really feeling anything. I didn’t really know how fast I was going, but while crossing the line I saw that I ran a very fast time. I was so excited, I couldn’t believe it,” Eid Naser said about her experience while competing in the event.
She said her coach pushed her to the limits and had full confidence that she will notch a new time in 400m.
“My coach always said ‘you are gonna run really fast’ and I used to laugh. To be frank, I never expected that fast time. I was training hard but he was keep talking to me, he never let me down. I didn’t think I would run that fast, but I thank God he never gave up on me and supporting me.”
“I was dealing with a lot of things. I missed two Diamond League races and coming back here and winning and running this fast time means a lot. I never doubted for myself,” she said.
