Eliott Crestan won silver in the final of the 800 metres on Sunday, the third and final day of the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China. The Belgian narrowly lost out to American Josh Hoey, who took gold.
Crestan, who had been running in third place for most of the race, accelerated into second place on the final lap. The Belgian just failed to overtake American Josh Hoey and crossed the line a few milliseconds behind the gold medallist. Spaniard Josué Canales completed the podium in third place.
“I am very satisfied. I really wanted a medal,” said Crestan after the race. “I know the hardest thing is to get into the final. Once you’re there, everything is possible. I really wanted a medal and I am very happy that I did it behind Josh Hoey. He is really strong.”
Strong season
The 26-year-old Crestan finished in a time of 1:44.77, close to the Belgian record of 1:44.69 he set in early February. It is his second silver medal of 2025: Crestan also finished second in the 800m final at the European Championships in Apeldoorn earlier this month.
Crestan’s silver is Belgium’s only medal at the World Indoor Championships, as Crestan was the last Belgian to compete in Nanjing. Michael Obasuyi finished fifth in the men’s 60m hurdles final on Saturday, while Rani Rosius came in seventh in the final of the women’s event. On Friday, Ruben Verheyden failed to qualify for the final of the 1,500 metres.
