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Emma Zapletalová Stuns in Doha With Record-Breaking 400m Hurdles Run, Sets New National Mark and World Lead

Slovak hurdling star Emma Zapletalová delivered a stunning performance at the 2026 Doha Diamond League, clocking a world-leading 52.30 seconds to win the women’s 400m hurdles and extend her unbeaten streak to four meetings this season. The 26-year-old world bronze medalist shattered her own previous national record while posting a meet record and moving to sixth on the all-time list. Her dominant run ahead of Jamaica’s Rushell Clayton (53.05) and Bahrain’s Kemi Adekoya (53.67) highlights her rapid rise, building on earlier victories in Rabat, Rome, and Oslo. Fans now eye her as a major contender for major championships.

Olympic & World Championship Medalist Announces Retirement At 35

British sprint star Asha Philip, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist and decorated World Championship relay specialist, has announced her retirement from athletics at the age of 35. The London-born sprinter, renowned for her explosive starts and decade-long role as anchor for Great Britain’s 4x100m team, bowed out after an illustrious 19-year career. Philip contributed to Olympic relay bronzes in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, alongside multiple World, European, and Commonwealth golds. Overcoming a serious early-career knee injury, she set a British 60m record of 7.06 seconds and became the first British woman to claim certain global relay honors. Philip plans to focus on mentoring the next generation of athletes.