Britain's Amber Anning makes history with 400m gold at World Indoor Championships - 'Amazing feeling'
Published 23/03/2025 at 09:10 GMT
React to this story
It was a day to remember for Team GB at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China. After Jeremiah Azu had won gold in the men's 60m, Amber Anning followed suit in the women's 400m, prevailing in a hard-fought battle with American Alexis Holmes. Anning described her first international victory as "special", celebrating with a flag her mum had brought.
Highlights: Nageeye claims maiden New York Marathon victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
Amber Anning made history at the World Athletics Indoor Championships by becoming the first British woman to win gold in the 400m.
The 24-year-old's time of 50'60" was just enough to beat USA's Alexis Holmes, who stayed with Anning until the line.
It was a first international title for the London native, just two weeks after the disappointment of disqualification at the European Indoor Championships in the Netherlands.
There were no such problems in Nanjing, China, where Anning celebrated her memorable victory by waving a British flag and doing a lap of honour.
She came out on top in a close battle with Holmes, who appeared to have shoved Anning during the race. But the Brit took first by the finest of margins, three one-hundredths of a second.
"It feels amazing," she told BBC Sport. "I was really battling.
"It wasn't the cleanest race, I probably could have done a better job with that, but the goal was to win and get my first individual title.
"It felt quite messy, we were just all there. It was a competition, it was always going to be between us. I just dipped at the end to get the edge and win. I'm grateful!
"I wasn't sure [I'd won]. I thought I just got there, but I needed to make sure I didn't see a disqualification. It was just a sigh of relief.
"After what happened at the Europeans, to come here and win is just an amazing feeling."
- Warner Bros. Discovery and Grand Slam Track partner for coverage of league’s inaugural season
- Great Britain to host men's Tour de France Grand Depart in Edinburgh
Anning secured Britain's second gold of the championships, after Jeremiah Azu won the men's 60m.
Elsewhere, Britain's Amy Hunt finished fifth in the women's 60m, while Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen won gold in the men's 3000m.
"Seeing Jeremiah win yesterday - we go way back, that's my brother. To see him the last couple of weeks is so inspiring," Anning added.
"I'm eternally grateful for Team GB, my coach, my psychologist, my parents. I'm really excited for the outdoors and a little rest before we go again soon.
"My mum got me this flag at the Europeans when we got the medal in the relay - I knew it would be special here today!"
Watch the best sporting action live and on-demand via discovery+.
Advertisement
Advertisement