Viivi Lehikoinen advanced to the final of the 400 meter hurdles with a new Finnish record of 54.50. Lehikoinen won his heat and was the third fastest in the semifinal stage. See the record run by clicking on the main picture of the story.
STT Sports,
Joska Saarinen
18:04•Updated 18:43
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A fencer Viivi Lehikoinen was responsible for the Finnish bang in Thursday’s morning races of the European Athletics Championships, when he ran the Finnish record time of 54.50 in the 400-meter hurdles semifinal of the European Championships in Munich and wiped out the SE time of 54.60 he set in the semifinals of the World Championships in Eugene.
– A direct place in the final was the goal. The first of the batch, the place in the final and still a Finnish record, Lehikoinen was happy.
Lehikoinen got a direct place in the semi-finals earlier in the season, even though he does not recognize himself as a supporter of the rule that brings privilege. He would have been ready to run the heat as well, but was spared.
In the semi-finals, a direct final place was offered to the two fastest in each heat.
– I left sharply. Three girls were there at the end. Good run.
Rain has been promised for Friday’s final day.
– It’s certainly suitable for Finns, for example Laurent (Meuwly) doesn’t like the weather in Finland, Lehikoinen mentioned his Swiss coach.
– A hard run is coming. Must recover well.
In the semi-finals, Holland had the fastest pace Femke Bol, who clocked a lap of 53.73. Lehikoinen was the third fastest.
Murto supervised
Lehikoinen was followed on Wednesday evening by a middle-distance runner Sara Kuiviston with from TV Wilma Murron pole final, which ended with a Finnish celebration.
– It disturbed my sleep a bit, but my own competition was also exciting. A little before eleven I went to bed.
The Finnish sailor could even become a surprise medalist in the final. A heat win in the semi-finals guarantees good positions when the courses are drawn.
– Everything that comes tomorrow (Friday) is a plus. I’m going to enjoy and fight.
Kristiina Halonen cleared the preliminary round on Wednesday with a time of 56.70 and ran 56.82 in Thursday’s semi-final. He was seventh in his heat and did not reach the final. His record is 56.68.
– The goal was to run briskly, but the run became inactive. However, it wasn’t a bad run, I stayed at my own level. I set out to get the record, when even in the heats I was still at the tenth fence at a record pace, Halonen said.
The women’s 400 meters final is scheduled for Friday at 10:45 p.m. Live broadcast on channels.