Dave King qualified for his first ever major final in unusual fashion at the World Indoor Athletics Championships on Sunday.
The British hurdler had his name drawn from a bag after he and Japanese athlete Shusei Nomoto were both tied on exactly the same time, down to thousandths of a second, following the semi-finals.
Nomoto ran 7.57, a personal best, as he finished third in the first of three semi-finals. King also placed third in the third semi-final. Like Nomoto, his 7.57 was also a personal best.
As they could not be separated on time, a tiebreaker - drawing their names from a bag - was required. There was a loud cheer from the British fans in attendance at the Stark Arena when King's name was drawn.
Dave King: 'It's a weird outcome'
David King makes the sprint hurdles final in Belgrade after a draw of names out of a bag! 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/scKr3e140R
— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) March 20, 2022
"It was good race, it wasn't the best race," King told BBC after his run.
"It's a weird outcome, I've never, ever seen it before. It's going to come down to luck whether I make the final. I think we're doing a coin toss, so everybody cross your fingers at home. I might be in the final or I might not.
"I fell like I've earned my spot. Equally, the Japanese guy who ran the same time earned his spot. It's the only fair way. It'll suck if it doesn't go my way but that's life. I've done myself proud here regardless."
King finished sixth in the final as USA's Grant Holloway won gold.
Biggest cheer of the night so far from us Brits in the stadium 🤣
Seeing a piece of paper being opened with the name King on it.
— Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownSport) March 20, 2022
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