Gianna Woodruff breaks own national record in 400m hurdles semis

Panama’s Gianna Woodruff delivered a stunning performance in the women’s 400m hurdles semi-finals, clocking 52.66 seconds to break her own national record and storm into the final.

Dominant run from start to finish

Running in lane six, Woodruff accelerated quickly and established her rhythm by the second hurdle. She maintained her lead throughout the race, finishing well ahead of the field to seal qualification in emphatic fashion.

Previous best shattered

Her effort bettered her previous Panamanian record of 55.60, set in 2018 at Barranquilla, by nearly three seconds. The timing also marks one of the fastest performances of the season, underlining her status as a strong medal contender.

Confidence ahead of the final

With this record-breaking show, Woodruff has boosted her confidence going into the final. Her consistency this season and ability to deliver on big stages now make her one of the names to watch as the competition heads to its climax.