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As at my last review of the 2022 Iaaf World championships, I had spoken about how well the championships were going save for one thing missing, A World Record. Fast forward a couple of days later and we not only saw a World record, but three sensational ones that left us stunned. Let us get right into what is arguably the most memorable World championships since Usain Bolt retired.

World Record Performances

With Mondo Duplantis in the Pole Vault, you can never rule out the possibility of a World Record. The Sensational Swedish athlete broke his own World record, clearing 6.21m to win the Pole Vault in dominating fashion. This was the most expected World Record for me, and Duplantis did not disappoint. He is perhaps already the greatest Male Pole Vault athlete ever, and is still only 22 years old.

The Second World Record performance came in the Women's 400m Hurdles where we again saw the current holder improving on her World Record. Sydney McLaughlin of the U.S.A, another 22 year old set a new World record of 50.68 seconds to win the 400m hurdles final. She won the even by almost two full seconds (which is a landmile in sprints). To put the impressiveness of her 400m World record in context, running 50.68 seconds in the normal 400m run is considered a very decent time. At 22, perhaps we are in for a treat of more World records in the future.

The final World record was the most surprising. Nigerian Athlete Amusan Tobi set a new 100m Hurdles World record of 12.12 seconds in the semi-final of the event. She almost went one better, running 12.06 seconds to win gold in the final of a field that included the previous World Record Holder, Kendra Harrison. The wind reading (+2.5m's) was above the limit of +2.0m's for times to be considered legal. Take a bow, Tobi.

Other Exceptional Highlights

The women's 4 x 100m race proved to be one of the surprises of the tournament as a quartet that included the three fastest women in the World - Elaine Thompson, Shericka Jackson and Shelly Ann Fraser - were stunned by the USA team that pipped them to victory. Some poor baton exchanges cost them the title but all credit should go to the exceptional American relay team. The shocks did not end there, as team USA were stunned by Canada in the Men's 4 x 100m relays.

One of my favorite moments from the competition was seeing Bahamian Athlete Shaunae Miller-Uibo finally winning gold in the Women's 400m at the World championships after winning silver and bronze in previous events. Speaking of firts, we also saw 20 year old 800m runner Athing Mu win her first World title to add to her Olympic crown.

Conclusion

The World championships have come and gone but every fan of athletics will be feeling a great sense of satisfaction with the way events unfolded. From the organization, fan support to even the athletes on display, everyone turned up and brought their A game.

I certainly hope we get to run it back again next year in Budapest.