Christopher Morales Williams Breaks World Indoor 400m Record at SEC Championship

In a standout performance at the SEC (Southeastern Conference Indoor Track & Field Championship), Christopher Morales Williams, a sophomore from the Georgia Bulldogs, shattered the world indoor record in the 400-meter dash. This remarkable feat secured the fifth men's title in the event for Georgia, taking place at the Randal Tyson Indoor track in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Saturday.

Hailing from Vaughan, Ontario, Morales Williams eclipsed several records with his astonishing 44.49-second finish in the final. He surpassed the previous school record of 44.75 seconds held by Elija Godwin in 2023, as well as Godwin's meet record, Kerron Clement's 2005 facility record of 44.57 seconds, Michael Norman's 2018 collegiate record of 44.52 seconds, and Norman's world record. His performance left his competitor, Florida senior JeVaughn Powell, who finished in 45.61 seconds, significantly trailing.

The 19-year-old Williams had previously secured a win in his heat on Friday with a time of 45.58, marking it as his second-fastest run up to that point.

Morales Williams, a key member of Canada's bronze medal-winning 4x400m team at the world U20 championships in Cali in 2022, also took home the silver in the 400m at the Pan American U20 championships the following year.

He kicked off his 400m season with an indoor personal best of 46.05 in Boston this January and further improved to 45.39 in Clemson, setting the stage for his record-setting performance in Arkansas.

• SEC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS

SEC Indoor Championships Men's 400m Final Results