Nafissatou Thiam, world heptathlon champion
Belgians are excelling at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon. After Bashir Abdi's bronze medal, it is now Nafissatou Thiam's turn with a brilliant gold medal in the heptathlon.
The first of the seven events, the 100 m hurdles, began well for Belgians Thiam (13.21 seconds) and Vidts (13.20). They finished fifth and third in the event respectively.
At the end of the second event, Nafi took the lead by clearing the bar at 1.95 m in the high jump. She retained the lead after the 200 m event
In the shot put, she achieved a season's best with 15.03 m and finished second in the event behind the Dutch competitor Anouk Vetter. Noor Vidts finished 3rd.
In the long jump, Nafi consolidated her first place with the best performance at 6.59 m, despite an unfavourable headwind.
In the sixth event, the javelin, the Namur-based athlete (53.01 m) lost her first place to her rival, Dutch athlete Anouk Vetter (58.29 m). Noor Vidts achieved her best second throw with 41.62 m.
The heptathlon is a demanding discipline and everything can be decided in the last event. In the 800 m, Nafissatou Thiam gave it her all and beat her personal best with a time of 2.13.00, beating her rival, Anouk Vetter (2.20.09).
Nafissatou Thiam (6947) finished this heptathlon with a gold medal around her neck, ahead of Dutch competitor Anouk Vetter (6867) and the American Anna Hall (6755). Our double Olympic and European champion has now become double world champion, a title she first won in Götzis in 2017.
And Noor Vidts finished in an honourable fifth place.
Congratulations Nafi! Congratulations Noor!