Belgium's Eliott Crestan became just the second European to win three world indoor 800m medals with an excellent silver in Torun on Sunday (22).
It was a fast-paced race in which history was made as 17-year-old Cooper Lutkenhaus of the USA became the youngest ever individual medallist in World Indoor Championships history by winning gold in a time of 1:44.24, 0.14 seconds ahead of Crestan.
Spain's Mohamed Attaoui - who set a Spanish indoor record of 1:44.48 in qualifying for the final - took home the bronze medal in a time close to that of 1:44.66.
Front running
Crestan took to the front early on, powering through 400m in an impressive split of 51.91. But he was soon left trailing the terrific teenager and despite a furious kick for home, he had to settle for the runner-up spot, just as he did a year ago in Nanjing, when American Josh Hoey took the title.
Afterwards, the Belgian said: "I am happy with the medal of course, but right after the race, I felt a little bit of disappointment. Cooper's acceleration was very strong - he is an incredible talent winning at 17 years of age.
Crestan had been third at Glasgow 2024, and has now matched Denmark's Wilson Kipketer in terms of numbers of medals in the event, though the former world record holder did win a gold and two silvers between 1997 and 2003.
"The fact I have now won three medals means a lot to me. It is hard to maintain that level for a long time," added the Belgian. "I will take this confidence into the summer season."
Attaoui added to the 1500m gold of compatriot Mariano Garcia earlier on the same evening. The 24-year-old also made sure a Spaniard finished on the men's 800m podium in four out of the last five editions of the championships.