Carolina Krafzik missed a possible podium finish over 400 m hurdles at the last obstacle at the home European Championships in Munich.
When the Dutch Vice World Champion Femke Bol (52.67) won, the Sindelfingen native had good prospects in the race for a long time, but ended up eighth in 56.02 seconds. The Ukrainian Wiktorija Tkatschuk (54.30) won silver ahead of her compatriot Hanna Ryschykowa (54.86).
“I noticed that I’m good in the race, but somehow I fell into old patterns at the last hurdle,” said Krafzik on ZDF. “It’s bitter, but that’s the way it is now.”
Krafzik, who had been struggling with injury concerns this summer, was still on course for bronze on the home stretch. Before the last obstacle, however, the 27-year-old lost her rhythm and almost stopped.
Krafzik had made a strong impression in her previous performances at Munich’s Olympic Stadium and raised hopes of a medal. In the run-up she set a personal best of 54.32 seconds.