World Athletics Championships 2023: UK's Ben Pattison Stuns with 800m Bronze Finish

In a jaw-dropping performance during his first appearance at the World Athletics Championships, Ben Pattison of the United Kingdom snagged an unexpected bronze in the 800m race. He was accompanied on the podium by Great Britain’s women, who scored bronze in the 4x100m relay.

Eyes widened in amazement, Pattison completed the race in a staggering one minute and 44.83 seconds, clinching his inaugural world medal.

The 21-year-old sensation becomes the first Brit to take home an 800m world championship medal since the days of Peter Elliott, who achieved the feat in Rome way back in 1987.

While Dina Asher-Smith was conspicuously absent after lackluster showings in the 100m and 200m races, the British women’s quartet—comprising Asha Philip, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Bianca Williams, and Daryll Neita—recorded a time of 41.97 seconds, trailing behind only the U.S. and Jamaica.

This marks Great Britain’s seventh medal at the championships, matching the team’s 2022 medal haul with still a day of competition to go.

The men’s 4x100m squad was agonizingly close to the podium, finishing just 0.04 seconds behind, as Noah Lyles of the USA completed his trio of gold medals in Budapest.

Lyles, who also defended his 200m title earlier in the week, sprinted across the finish line in 37.38 seconds, with Italy and Jamaica filling out the remaining podium spots.

Pattison’s Spotlight Moment Fueled by Music

Pattison was visibly gobsmacked as he paraded around the track draped in the Union Jack, still processing the enormity of what he’d accomplished.

Entering the finals with the least experience and as one of only two athletes who hadn’t yet run the distance in under 44 seconds, Pattison defied expectations. With his signature speedy finish, he maneuvered through an opening on the inside and secured his landmark medal.

Although his bronze position appeared obvious, Pattison withheld his jubilation until the official results flashed across the scoreboard. It was then that he grabbed a British flag and jubilantly ran around, a grin stretched across his face.

“Is this an interview? I’m speechless!” Pattison exclaimed. “I’ve been hearing all day about potentially winning a medal. Halfway through the day, I started believing the hype. A friend even composed a song predicting I’d come home with a medal. Turns out, he wasn’t wrong!”

Last year, Pattison ended up in sixth place in the European Championships. However, he entered these world championships having clocked a personal best of 1:44.02 in the London Diamond League back in July.

“Before the race, I kept thinking, ‘No regrets,'” Pattison remarked. “The first lap was slow, which works in my favor. In the final stretch, I realized a medal was within reach. It was a fight to the finish, and I came out ahead. Honestly, I’m still wrapping my head around all this.”

Great Britain’s Relay Triumph and Missed Opportunities

Last year, the British women’s relay team was hampered by an unfortunate injury to Asher-Smith. But this time in Budapest, they achieved their goal. Asher-Smith, puzzled by her own underperformance in this championship, was on the warm-up track cheering her teammates on. As other teams like the Netherlands and Ivory Coast stumbled, the British women cemented their podium finish.

Lansiquot said, “Being part of this incredible era in British female sprinting is beyond inspiring. Training together, warming up together, it just instills you with so much confidence.”

Meanwhile, the American dominance in sprints continued. Sha’Carri Richardson, who bagged a bronze in the 200m, dashed to celebrate with triple gold winner Lyles after the USA swept the sprint events.

In other noteworthy performances, Faith Kipyegon of Kenya achieved an unprecedented 1500m and 5,000m double, clocking 14:53.88 to edge out Dutch bronze medallist Sifan Hassan.

Swedish pole vaulting sensation Armand Duplantis couldn’t break his own world record but defended his title, easily clearing 6.10m but faltering at 6.23m.

Stateside, Chase Ealey snatched the women’s shot put gold with a best of 20.43m, while Pierce LePage of Canada emerged victorious in the men’s decathlon after two grueling days of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about World Athletics Championships 2023

Who won the 800m bronze medal for Great Britain at the 2023 World Athletics Championships?

Ben Pattison won the 800m bronze medal for Great Britain. This was Pattison’s first appearance at the World Athletics Championships, and he completed the race in one minute and 44.83 seconds.

Who were the members of the Great Britain women’s 4x100m relay team that won the bronze medal?

The Great Britain women’s 4x100m relay team consisted of Asha Philip, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Bianca Williams, and Daryll Neita. They clocked a time of 41.97 seconds, finishing behind the USA and Jamaica.

How many medals did Great Britain win up to that point in the 2023 Championships?

Up to that point, Great Britain had won seven medals at the 2023 Championships, which equaled their medal haul from the previous year with still a day of competition remaining.

Who were the stars from other countries?

Noah Lyles from the USA was a significant standout, winning three gold medals. Faith Kipyegon of Kenya made history by winning both the 1500m and 5,000m races. Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis defended his title but couldn’t break his own world record.

Was Dina Asher-Smith part of the British women’s 4x100m relay team?

No, Dina Asher-Smith was not a part of the team. She was absent due to disappointing performances in the 100m and 200m races but was present at the warm-up track to support her teammates.

What inspired Ben Pattison to his surprising bronze medal win?

Ben Pattison revealed that he was inspired by a song his friend Tommy wrote for him, predicting that he’d win a medal. This came true as he clinched bronze in a sensational run.

What was the outcome for the British men’s 4x100m relay team?

The British men’s 4x100m relay team narrowly missed the podium, finishing just 0.04 seconds behind the medalists. The team consisted of Lewis Davey, Charlie Dobson, Rio Mitcham, and Alex Haydock-Wilson, and they qualified for the final.

What other notable events happened in the Championships?

Faith Kipyegon of Kenya became the first athlete to win both the 1500m and 5,000m races at a World Championships. American Chase Ealey won the women’s shot put gold, and Canada’s Pierce LePage took the men’s decathlon title.

What was Ben Pattison’s performance at last year’s European Championships?

Ben Pattison finished in sixth place at last year’s European Championships. However, he had clocked a personal best of 1:44.02 in the London Diamond League in July to qualify for the World Championships.

What was the status of the British men’s 4x400m relay team?

The British men’s 4x400m relay team, comprising Lewis Davey, Charlie Dobson, Rio Mitcham, and Alex Haydock-Wilson, qualified automatically for the final. They finished third in their heat behind the USA and India.

More about World Athletics Championships 2023

World Athletics Championships 2023: UK’s Ben Pattison Stuns with 800m Bronze Finish