American Christopher Bailey Emerges Victorious in Emotional Battle Against Kirani James and Bayapo Ndori

Christopher Bailey clinched a stunning 400m victory in Shanghai, outperforming top names Kirani James and Bayapo Ndori.

American Christopher Bailey Emerges Victorious in Emotional Battle Against Kirani James and Bayapo Ndori

Festus Chuma 15:26 - 03.05.2025

Christopher Bailey clinched a stunning 400m victory in Shanghai, outperforming top names Kirani James and Bayapo Ndori.

Botswana's Bayapo Ndori again beat 2012 Olympic champion Kirani James but could not hold off the searing pace of American Christopher Bailey, who delivered the performance of his career to win the men’s 400m at the Diamond League Meeting in Shanghai.

Bailey, 24, crossed the finish line in a blistering 44.17 seconds, setting a new personal best and firmly announcing his arrival among the elite quarter-milers on the global stage.

Bailey lived up to the billing, holding his composure and form down the stretch to claim the gold in a race stacked with seasoned champions and rising stars.

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Hot on his heels was Botswana’s Ndori, who surged past Grenadian legend Kirani James in the final meters to take second in 44.32. Ndori, last year’s breakout performer, showed he has staying power, running a strategic race and keeping pressure on the leaders throughout.

Fellow Botswanan, Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, added to his country’s strong showing by finishing third in 44.63.

The 22-year-old matched his qualifying position and demonstrated impressive poise in just his second Diamond League appearance, signaling the emergence of a formidable 400m tradition in Botswana.

Veteran American sprinter Vernon Norwood showed his grit and experience, coming from behind to snatch fourth place with a time of 44.93.

His late-race charge edged out Kirani James by the narrowest of margins—just 0.01 seconds—as the Grenadian legend settled for fifth in 44.94. While not at his peak, James still displayed the class that made him Olympic champion in London 2012.

Belgium’s Alexander Doom took sixth place with a time of 45.35, followed closely by South Africa’s Lythe Pillay, who posted 45.39. Quincy Hall, the third American in the race, rounded out the field in eighth place, clocking 45.99. Though it was a season best for Hall, he was far off his remarkable personal best of 43.40.

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