After a sensational performance in Metz, Fimic Paul set her sights on the world record since 1982

Fimk Paul ran his fourth ever indoor 400m event in Metz. The 22-year-old from Amersfoort crossed the finish line in 49.96 seconds, an improvement over her Dutch record by more than three-tenths of a second. Last year, Paul set the record at 50.30 at NK in Apeldoorn. The world record has been held since 1982 with a 49.59 by Jarmila Kratochvilova of the Czech Republic.

Paul opened her indoor season in Boston last week, setting a world record in the 500m with a 1.05.63, the so-called outdated distance that is rarely run. In the French city of Metz, the Munich 2022 champion, three-time European outdoor champion, ran her first 400m of the year.

Paul was in a class of his own. Only Kratochvilova, compatriot Tatana Kosimbova and Russia’s Natalia Nazarova were faster than ever in the 400m indoors. With a 49.96, Paul naturally more than convincingly qualifies for the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul early next month. The Dutch remained two seconds short of the limit in the 400-meter race (52.20). At the 2021 European Indoor Championships in Toruń, Poland, Paul took home the gold medal at this distance.

Last year at the European Outdoor Championships in Munich, Paul created a unique “double” by becoming the first athlete to win the 400m and 400m hurdles at the same championships. She added a third gold medal with the relay team in the 4x400m event.

After the victory in the 400-meter race, Paul was also the strongest in the 200-meter race. After Lekki Claver greatly improved her Dutch record (from 23.10 to 22.97), Paul rose above her ten heats later: 22.87. Daphne Schippers holds the Dutch record in the outdoor 200m with a time of 21.63.

Paul opened her indoor season in Boston last week, setting a world record in the 500m with a 1.05.63, the so-called outdated distance that is rarely run. In Metz she ran her first 400m of the year. Paul took gold at this distance two years ago at the European Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland. She qualified naturally in France for the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul early next month.

Brett Wiermann equaled the Dutch high jump record in Metz. The 19-year-old Wermann, who improved Nadine Brorsen’s 2014 record by 3 centimeters more than a week ago in Weinheim, Germany, jumped 1.96m and then saw three attempts fail over 1.98.

Isaya Powers ran his personal best in the 200-meter dash with 20.89. Mike Faubin did the same in the 1500m (3.40.34) and Tim Verbandert in the 3000m (7.44.33).

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