'No excuses' from medal hope Matt after semis heartbreak

OLYMPIC 400m silver medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith offered “no excuses” after he was eliminated in the semifinals of the World Championships in Tokyo.

- By RACHEL STEINBERG

The 30-year-old Birchfield Harrier, who was also runner-up at the 2023 worlds, had the third-quickest reaction time and moved up to third position before fading on the final stretch, finishing sixth in 44.95s.

Hudson-Smith revealed he had felt something in his hip following Sunday's heats, but refused to confirm whether that was a problem yesterday.

“It was just one of those days. It happens. That's it really, no excuses,” he said. Pressed further about his hip, the Midlander responded: “I am out here to run. There is no excuses, you just have to do what you have got to do, that's it.

“It is just a race. I executed it to the best of my ability and that is all that matters. I am going to take some time out and reevaluate a lot of things and go from there.”

Hudson-Smith was the last British hope for a finalist after Charlie Dobson and Sam Reardon were also unable to qualify from their respective heats.

The latter sparked even more concern about this weekend's 4x400m relay after sharing concerns about his hamstring. “It wasn’t what I was hoping for - I can say that definitely,” Reardon said. “I thought I could compete and push for something better.

“But I think the delay at the start (to check on a false start) didn’t really help, especially with the injuries I've had this year. After the first 50m I just felt the tightening of my hamstring and pain.