RIO DE JANEIRO — The amazing odyssey of Boris Berian continued Saturday night when the Widefield High School grad qualified for the finals of the 800 meters.
In his second year competing as a professional runner, Berian ended up second in his heat and sixth overall, finishing in 1 minute, 44.56 seconds. The finals will be held Monday night.
Berian clapped his hands with delight at the finish.
“I was excited,” Berian said. “I made the Olympic final, so I just had the emotion.”
For some, Berian has been one of the biggest surprises in American track this year — he won a gold medal at the world indoor championships and finished second at the Olympic Trials in July — but it goes back a little further.
“I had a lot more surprises last year, (running) 1:43s,” Berian said. “I didn’t see that happening that quick. it was a good year, a good first year to be professional, getting the hang of it, getting more experience. … This is my dream job.”
Berian figures he probably will have to run 1:43 or faster to win a medal Monday. His personal record is 1:43.34, and his best this season is 1:44.20.
“I feel like I can get there if everything goes perfectly, good cadence, stay strong,” Berian said. “I’d like to think that I’m strong, I’m a contender.”
