Hudson-Smith flags at finish but defies injury to win silver
The Guardian|August 25, 2023
Matt Hudson-Smith has never had it easy, on the track or off. Even in his first race, aged 10, he was leading with 30 metres to go, only to suddenly see his mum, stop, and watch in horror as everyone flew past him. A few years ago he described it as the worst race of his life.
Sean Ingle
Hudson-Smith flags at finish but defies injury to win silver

There have been plenty of tests for Hudson-Smith in the 18 years since. Yet it has all been worth it for nights like this in Budapest, where the Briton defied injury to run the greatest race of his life and win a 400m world championship silver medal.

Yet, as he conceded afterwards, gold was just a whisker or two away - until those last 30 metres came back to haunt him again. "I came here looking for gold," he said. "But I've had achilles tendinitis really badly.

That's why I've been pulling up, that's why I've been in a wheelchair when I raced in London. My achilles has been mashed-up bad. "This has been like a mental battle. I came for the gold, tied up in the last 30 metres but under the circumstances I can't complain."

Hudson-Smith made his intentions clear from the gun and held a significant lead at halfway. At this point only the former Olympic and world champion Kirani James was with him, but he eventually fell away.

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