Italian hurdler Alessandro Sibilio kicked off his 2025 Diamond League campaign with a hard-fought victory in the men’s 400m hurdles at the Doha meet.
Despite challenging windy conditions, the 24-year-old surged to first place in 49.32 seconds, narrowly edging out Turkey’s Nezir (49.40) and Slovenia’s Guček (49.49).
A Win Despite the Wind
Sibilio, racing from lane 3, showcased his trademark composure and strength to secure the win. However, the Tokyo Olympian had his sights set on a faster time.
“Coming here, I expected to go under 49 seconds, but today was a windy day,” Sibilio admitted in a post-race interview.
“I’m just glad for the win. Next time, we will go sub-49.”
The Italian star emphasized that his primary focus remains on peak performance at major championships.
“I want to save the best for the World Championships and show my best in Tokyo. In Doha, the problem wasn’t the heat—it was the wind.”
A Rising Star with Big Ambitions
Sibilio’s victory in Doha adds to an impressive career that began with a gold medal at the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships. Since then, he has competed in multiple major international events, including reaching the final in the 400m hurdles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He also contributed to setting a national record in the Italian 4x400m relay.
June 2024 marked a milestone for Sibilio, when he set a new Italian national record in the 400m hurdles with a stunning time of 47.50 seconds, securing a silver medal at the European Championships in Rome. Known for his resilience and determination, Sibilio successfully balances his athletic career with academic pursuits, holding a degree in Management Engineering.
What’s Next for Sibilio?
The Italian hurdler will now shift focus to the Savona meeting next week, where he hopes for calmer conditions to push toward his sub-49-second goal. With the World Championships on the horizon, Sibilio is steadily building momentum toward another historic season.
“We’ll see what happens next,” he said with confidence.
If his recent form is any indication, the track world should expect even faster times, and more podium finishes, from the Italian star.
