New world 400m hurdles champion says his life will change

Moscow, Aug 17 (IANS/CMC)

Jehue Gordon of Trinidad and Tobago celebrates winning gold in the Men’s 400 metres hurdles final during Day Six of the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championships Moscow 2013 at Luzhniki Stadium on August 15, 2013 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Trinidad and Tobago’s Jehue Gordon says winning the men’s 400m hurdles world title will “change his life”.

Gordon made the comment after becoming his country’s second overall gold medal winner behind Ato Boldon (200m in 1997) at these Championships, reports CMC.

“This victory will change my life, but won’t change me as a person,” he told reporters.

He left it late, but held his nerves in the last 100 metres to catch and beat American Michael Tinsley on the line 47.69 to 47.70 in the 400m hurdles final.

“To win the gold here was one of my goals and I’m just so happy I have achieved it,” said the 21-year-old, who ends his 2013 season in Brussels Sep 6.

“My next goals are to become the Pan American champion and Olympic champion,” added Gordon, a final-year management student of the University of the West Indies, St Augustine.

“Those victories won’t come easy, I know, but I’ll just keep working and believing in myself.”

Gordon’s victory came in a national record time for Trinidad and Tobago. Tinsley’s time was also a personal best.

“After I crossed the line my heart stopped for a minute, I just wanted to look up the screen and to see my name there. I give 150 percent credit to my coach, he kept telling me that my body is capable of incredible things,” he said.