World, it's time to meet track and field's latest young phenom. Meet Abderrahman Samba of Qatar.

I'm sure it's totally above board as the Gulf Oil Kingdoms always are. Nothing to see here as Qatar has a long and proud history in 400H

rojo wrote:

Anyone know this guy's story? Where was he born? etc.

All I know is the 21-year old ran a world leading 48.31 in what was reported to be the third 400h or his life (after running 46 for 400 last year at age 20) earlier this year. Today, he proved that that time was no fluke as de DESTROYED the DL field.

https://twitter.com/letsrundotcom/status/860551895815008256

That's very fast for this early in the year especially for an unknown in a technical event. Kenya, Botswana and now Qatar have come on the scene with some fast 400d/400h types in the last two years. What's really interesting is these athlete have almost no pedigree. You see this sometimes in the 100 or long distance, but rarely in the 400d or 400 hurdles.

Yeah usually a more technical event like the hurdles doesn't have randoms come out of nowhere but the times they are a changing.

Positive Contribution wrote:

Yeah usually a more technical event like the hurdles doesn't have randoms come out of nowhere but the times they are a changing.

You'd think they would though. A technical event has the potential for someone to rise quickly as they improve in technique, rather than bleeding edge fitness.

Why should a man need 44 speed to run a 48 400h? 45/46 with superb technique can get you there surely?

Just my theory anyway. The barriers artificially retard the athlete. The one that can get over them the most efficiently will be the most successful.

rojo wrote:

Anyone know this guy's story? Where was he born? etc.

All I know is the 21-year old ran a world leading 48.31 in what was reported to be the third 400h or his life (after running 46 for 400 last year at age 20) earlier this year. Today, he proved that that time was no fluke as de DESTROYED the DL field.

I believe he is originally from Mauritania. He trains/trained at the Aspire Academy in Doha, which has had some good results.

Those in the know in track and field will know that Qatar has for many, many years been developing world-class sporting facilities, tournaments, and bringing in world-class coaches.

The Aspire Academy has EVERYTHING you could think of and if they do not have it, they will buy it.

Once you have the facilities and coaches in place all you need are athletes willing to be coached and exposure to quality competition on a consistent basis.

It is why many countries and coaches who want their athletes to continue but lack either the facilities or competition send their charges to the NCAA.

This is a win-win-win for all. Think about it. NCAA gets better competition, the school gets a stud/studette, the stud/studette get an education and access to decent facilities and world-class competition.

Just this week Kim Collins was giving a seminar on sprinting at Aspire Academy. How often do high school coaches outside of the USA have current and active world-class track and field athletes breaking-down technique and mental requirements of their chosen sport, in my corner of the world - never.

The days of total domination in events or sports are in, my opinion almost over, (except USA 4X4 - the depth is ridiculous), these days everyone brings it. Between Youtube, sports teams and federations growing their global brand but touring and broadcasting. A kid in Africa can see the latest defensive schemes that the Dutch AJAX Academy players are learning. Brazilian rugby players can see what the All Blacks practice looks like and adopt those modalities into their programming.

Also a lot of good and great coaches passed over in their own countries can and do make a name for themselves in others by spreading their wings and leaving their home-countries. Cuban boxing coaches, Jamaican sprint coaches, Brazilian BJJ players, etc.

Brain-drain, technological transfers, and the like, will only continue to add parity or better competition.

To quote Martha Stewart, "Its a good thing."

40 years ago Duffy Mahoney left his coaching gig in the northeast US to go to the gulf countries and raise the quality over there. Most of what you're saying is true but there has to be an interest to have parity.

The US with its facilities and access to training methodologies and 300 million people can't field a world class soccer team.

Looks like he was originally representing Mauritania and transfered to Qatar. Check out the IAAF transfer of allegiance record:

https://www.iaaf.org/download/download?filename=db5956dd-6c12-4b54-9ce8-37603ee9b715.pdf&urlslug=Transfers%20of%20allegiance%20-%202016%20-%20as%20officially%20announced%20in%20the%20IAAF%20Newsletter

Hi Coach:

The reason why the USA can not field a world-class soccer team is the way USA Soccer is structured.

Soccer in the USA is a "pay-to-play" sport. This means, if your family can not afford all the camps, travel, "elite" team selection camps - you will NEVER be "discovered". Then you have the "favorites", "darlings", "stars" who get exposed very quickly when they face real competition.

If the USA was serious about fielding a "soccer" team, they need to go to "parks" where people are playing football/futbal.

The Nigerian football "god" - JJ Okocha was discovered playing football in Germany in the park on "holiday". Funny thing is he was not even good enough to play in the local club team in his native Nigeria.

PS - The Ronaldihno Gaucho says he learnt so many of his dazzling moves from JJ when they played together.

This is the cross-pollination of cultures, training, and world-view that enriches and enhances sport.

This raises the question, "how good were the other guys?!"

If you look at the current USA Team the are essentially US German Army-brats. Their coach is German, they play a German-style game, but . . ., the USA needs to play US-style football and not "soccer". Until then it will be an under-achiever.

rojo wrote:

Anyone know this guy's story? Where was he born? etc.

All I know is the 21-year old ran a world leading 48.31 in what was reported to be the third 400h or his life (after running 46 for 400 last year at age 20) earlier this year. Today, he proved that that time was no fluke as de DESTROYED the DL field.

https://twitter.com/letsrundotcom/status/860551895815008256

From the pics you can look up, it isn't hard to believe he's been 21 for his last 4 or 5 birthdays.