Dutch sensation Femke Bol produced a stunning performance to win the women’s 400m hurdles in a meet record time of 52.51 at the FBK Games on Monday at Fanny Blankers-Koen stadium in Hengelo, Netherlands.
The 25-year-old crowd favorite got off to a flying star. She used her new block technique,first seen two weeks ago at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Rabat. She took command of the race early. By the final hurdle, she had already opened up a sizable lead, crossing the line well ahead of the rest of the field.
The reigning world 400m hurdles champion returned to Hengelo after a high-altitude training camp in Morocco with fellow Dutch athletes Nadine Visser and Lieke Klaver, and she did not disappoint the home fans.
Bol’s 52.51 was not just a win, but a powerful statement. It followed her season-opening 52.46 in Rabat, the fastest season opener of her career, and showed that her form is steadily building with the Paris Olympic Games on the horizon.
Behind her, Panama’s Gianna Woodruff (54.54) clinched the second position. Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalová (54.71) came third. Germany’s Elena Keletý (54.91) in fourth position. They all recorded season bests, but none could match the pace and precision of the Dutch star.
This was Bol’s first 400m hurdles race on home soil this season. She won the 400m flat last year in Hengelo in a meeting record of 50.02. Her return to her specialist event was smooth and commanding, a sign of her growing confidence and strength.
Records set by Bol
Over the last few years, Femke Bol has achieved an extraordinary list of accomplishments. This include a full set of Olympic medals in Paris last year. World record holder in the 400m indoor (broken three times) and also World and European champion. She has further won four-time Diamond League champion in the 400m hurdles.
This victory adds yet another accolade to her growing legacy.
