A MAN FOR the big occasion, Thomas Barr has this evening produced his season’s best to win bronze in the 400 metres hurdle final at the European Championships in Berlin.
The Waterford native, who finished fourth at the Rio Olympics two summers ago, produced a sensational run to claim his first major championship medal.
Barr becomes the first Irishman to medal in a sprint event at the European Championships, clocking a time of 48.31 for third, his second fastest time ever.
Running out of lane eight, Barr said he felt relaxed pre-race and it showed in his performance as he finished strongly down the home straight to win a historic medal in the green vest.
“It hasn’t sunk in,” he told RTÉ Sport afterwards.
“I felt so relaxed beforehand and I knew it would take close to a personal best and I pulled it out on the day. There’s so much Irish support here, I couldn’t ask for more.
Norway’s Karsten Warholm held off the challenge of defending champion Yasmani Copello to claim gold.
Watch as Thomas Barr held on to take a bronze medal in the 400m hurdles at the European Athletics Championships #rtesport pic.twitter.com/tanLZMr9bB
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 9, 2018
What a run!!!
BRILLIANT STUFF THOMAS BARR!
Congrats !
Was watching it and shouting at the tv. What a superb run. Brilliant stuff!!
Legend!!!!!
a fantastic run from him good man thomas
Great run to get 3rd. Hard work to get it and succeeded . Always good for Ireland to get medals in athletics!
Unreal. So unexpected. Great achievement for such a likable man. Stoked for him.
Amazing..! Brilliant news
Jaysus he has some finish, by God!!!
Our greatest hurdler Barr none!!
@Joe Kennedy: He has set the barr high!
@Joe Kennedy: Gerry W was a great hurdler before he picked up his injury Joe
@Flembomb: haha… I’d heard that alright.
@Joe Kennedy: I think Bob Tisdall’s Olympic Gold might entitle him to that title, but needless to say well done Thomas.
@Kevin Holmes: and that’s not to mention Derval O’Rourke’s two European Silvers and World Indoor Gold.
Absolutely brilliant from Barr. Always turns up at the big events!!
Always smiling, great result. Delighted for him!!!
Barrilliant
Great achievement. Well done Thomas Barr. Great lad
Brilliant stuff. Strong Strong finish. Well done Thomas.
Great run Thomas Congrats from Tramore
My daughter ” Oh my god he’s gorgeous. I wish he’d jump me” Proud father
@Boris Farage: Brilliant line from a very funny daughter.
@Boris Farage: hahaa brilliant. I agree….He IS cute as well as being a brilliant athlete ;)
Well done Thomas.
What a run! And to beat a French man too
Delighted for him. We’ll done Thomas
Great run Thomas Congrats from Tramore
Fantastic win…great smile as he came over the line and loved the TV shot of him jumping with arms outstretched just in front of the winner…fair play play and great work
Great stuff, brilliant running, and seems like a really nice guy, delighted for him.
Great run Thomas Congrats from Tramore
Congrats I could not be more happy for him and he got great praise from the English sport reporters
Great run Thomas Congrats from Tramore
@Dan Spillane: you can say that again
@Dan Spillane: you from Tramore Dan ?
Ran a great race, especially after the tough year and a half he’s had with injuries. Should definitely win a medal in Tokyo if he stays fit, although I don’t think that Norwegian bloke will be beat, he’s a different animal.
Excellent. Well done!
Great run Thomas Barr. Well done.
Comhgairdeas. Maith thú.
Good man Thomas. Congrats
Well done Thomas Barr. Great run.
C’mon ireland.
Fair play to you
Well deserved
Truly a great bit of stuff. Maith fear!.
Well done to Thomas. Why is the athletics coverage gone from Rte2?
@Kevin O’Sullivan: it’s on RTÉ news
@Eddie: thanks a mill, appreciate it.
Class act
Brilliant!! Love his reaction crossing the line. Well done, sir.
Well done.
At least Capello didn’t win. Good run Barr
Well done sir. Loved watching you run like that heart runs true and we will kick on with more trainers and funding. Delighted
Brilliant, great performance from lane 8. Well done
Well done sir. Loved watching you run like that heart runs true and we will kick on with more trainers and funding. Delighted
Open Barr!
unreal barr well done deise abú
Well done. Congratulations!
Absolutely delighted for him, fantastic athlete with a fabulous attitude
Fair play.