Matt ‘had nothing’ as he just passes opening test

OLYMPIC silver medallist Matt Hudson-Smith is in a race against time to be fully fit for the World Athletics Championships semifinals after a hip injury affected his first-round performance.

- By CHARLIE BENNETT

The Wolverhampton 400m runner came into his event among the favourites for gold but notably struggled at Japan National Stadium, finishing fourth in a time of 44.68 seconds.

Botswana's Bayapo Ndori won the heat in 44.36s, while Japan's Yuki Joseph Nakajima set a new national record of 44.44s.

Jamaica's Bovel McPherson pipped Hudson-Smith to the final automatic qualification place to set a personal-best 44.51, with the 30-year-old progressing as one of the fastest losers for tomorrow's semifinals.

Hudson-Smith appeared to be ina strong position as he entered the home straight but lacked the gas required to keep pace with the top three.

He appeared crestfallen upon seeing the result and lay on the track for several minutes, before hobbling to the sidelines.