‘Ecstatic!’ Record-breaking Thomas Barr is in the 400m hurdles FINAL

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9 years ago

And the record has been broken!

Last night, Thomas Barr came in first place at the Oylmpic's 400m hurdles semi-final, and as well as that, he broke a HUGE record while doing it.

The Irishman completed the 400m hurdles in 48.39 seconds, something that hasn't been done in Ireland since Bob Tidsdall's 1932 win.

He also qualified overall in the third-fastest time, which puts him in wih USA's Kerron Clement (48.26) and Jamacia's Annsert Whyte (48.32) in the final.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Thomas said: “It comes with a lot more pressure and a lot more focus. At the Olympic Games, everyone always ups their game.

“I didn’t think I would be standing here, coming with the preparation that I had, waiting to go into an Olympic Final.

“That really is astonishing, and to come home with a new national record as well," he gushed.

“To be honest, when I crossed the finishing line first, I just didn’t care what the time was. But then when I saw that come up on the screen, I didn’t know what to do, I was rubbing my head and looking all around the stadium!