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Finnish Championships: Antti Sainio's Major Hurdle Error Leads to Disqualification
🇫🇮 Finland /Sports

Finnish Championships: Antti Sainio's Major Hurdle Error Leads to Disqualification

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Runner Antti Sainio mistakenly knocked over a hurdle on the wrong lane during the 400m hurdles heats at the Finnish Championships.
  • The mistake led to an automatic disqualification, dashing his hopes for a third consecutive national title.
  • Sainio will now focus on training for the European Championships in Birmingham.

Finnish runner Antti Sainio made a critical error during the 400-meter hurdles heats at the Finnish Championships in Jyväskylä, accidentally clearing a hurdle on lane five instead of his own on lane six. The incident occurred on Saturday, costing him a likely third consecutive national title.

Was it the fifth lane?

— Antti SainioSainio questioned officials after finishing the race, realizing he may have made a mistake.

Sainio, 21, only realized his mistake after crossing the finish line. "Was it the fifth lane?" he asked, and upon receiving confirmation, his concern grew. "That means an immediate disqualification," he stated, acknowledging his responsibility for the error. He speculated that he might have been too relaxed or approached the hurdle from too wide an angle with his weaker leg.

Coach Petra Stenman reviewed video footage with officials. The disqualification was confirmed, as Sainio's action of hitting the hurdle on lane five caused it to fall. Although the preliminary races were not streamed live, photo sequences provided clear evidence. Stenman initiated a protest within the 30-minute window, but the ruling stood.

That means an immediate disqualification.

— Antti SainioSainio acknowledged the consequence of hitting a hurdle on the wrong lane.

This season has seen limited competition for Sainio due to a hamstring injury earlier in the spring. This race was only his third of the season, as he prioritized a safe recovery. The missed opportunity in the national final means he must find alternative high-intensity training. "Petra will devise a training plan for me, but I have to push hard. I'll just run from the starting blocks to the finish line alone," he declared.

Petra will devise a training plan for me, but I have to push hard. I'll just run from the starting blocks to the finish line alone.

— Antti SainioSainio described his plan to compensate for the missed national final.

Despite the setback, Sainio remains focused on the upcoming European Championships in Birmingham. As a national record holder and multiple youth medalist, he is eligible to compete based on rankings. "There I can prove all doubts wrong. We will do everything perfectly so that I am ready for Birmingham, how the lap is run," he stated.

There I can prove all doubts wrong. We will do everything perfectly so that I am ready for Birmingham, how the lap is run.

— Antti SainioSainio expressed his determination for the upcoming European Championships.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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