In a heat of qualification where two of the top five in the world were aligned, Jean-Simon Desgagnés ranked second, thus securing his place in the grand final of the 3000m steeplechase of the World Championships in Athletics.
On Saturday, in Budapest, the runner from Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges set the second fastest time of his career (8 min 20.04 s) to finish 5 hundredths of a second behind the Ethiopian Getnet Wale.
Coming fifth at the last crossing of the river, the Quebecer signed a superb end of the race by catching up with three competitors.
“The emotions are waning there. Looks like I’m burnt out from the big morning I’ve had, but I’m still extremely happy. It’s amazing and super trippy what’s happening! commented Desgagnés in an interview with Sportcom, a few hours after his second place.
“It was ambitious and realistic as a goal. I had to have a good day and I executed that perfectly. […] It was a pretty quick last 1200 meters and the way I executed [my plan], it shows that I can compete with these guys in the final and I have a lot of tools in my trunk to get there. It won’t be an easy contract, but that’s what I’m here for,” the runner continued in an energetic tone.
His trainer, Félix-Antoine Lapointe, was beaming when he commented on his protege’s race.
“It really was a perfect script!” It’s been our lofty goal since the beginning of the year to make the final, but the way he did it, coming in through the front door and competing with the best in the world, it’s beyond belief. expectations! said Lapointe, adding that it was the best race of Desgagnés’ career.
“We knew he was in good shape, but to make it happen like this is a great moment! There, you have to stay [down to earth] and keep in mind that there is a final on Tuesday, ”continued the coach, who believes that the runner could beat his personal best in the final.
It could well happen, as confirmed by Desgagnés.
The medical student at Laval University will arrive in uncharted territory for what will be his first final at the World Championships, but he says he is not worried.
“It’s still the same sport and the guys don’t change. I will get there with the same tools as in the semi-finals. The scale of the thing is unknown, but it’s still 3000m steeplechase and that’s something I do pretty well. »
Charles Philibert-Thiboutot successfully passed his first stage in Budapest where he placed sixth in his 1500m qualifying heat. The Rio Games Olympian earned the last available bye of his race with his time of 3:34.60.
The athlete from Quebec remained in the middle of the peloton at the start of the race, which allowed him to avoid a fall behind him with just over 500 meters to go. The 32-year-old veteran started the final round in seventh place and started his comeback on the penultimate curve to then hang on to the lead group led by reigning Olympic champion, Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
Philibert-Thiboutot will be in the 1500m semi-finals this Sunday.
In the morning, rookie Simone Plourde placed 10th in her qualifying heat in the 1500m. The peloton started to stretch at 600m and Plourde couldn’t hang on to the second group. The Montrealer stopped the clock at 4 min 7.04 s.
The 23-year-old had a long season on the American college circuit with the University of Utah team, competing in track, indoor and cross-country events. It is therefore a little tired that she arrived in the Hungarian capital.
“I felt ready, on the attack and my training for the last few weeks was conclusive, so I would have hoped to do better,” she admitted.
“Taking a step back and looking at my journey this year, coming to worlds and signing a pro contract [with Union Athletics, Oregon] in the last month, I never would have expected this. I take a lot of pride in it, even if qualifying for the semi-final was the goal,” summed up Plourde after the first race of his career on European soil.