The night before he told Roger Black he could do it, and Roger Black had no idea what he was talking about. They changed their race to win and it worked. He deserves all the credit for this
I never get tired either . I was in hospital for three weeks after a big operation the night before they let me go home . It really lifted my spirits !
Phil Brown catching Innocent Egbunike for Silver in '84 was pretty good, too. Akabusi in both. But with this, loved the way we had 2 world class 400m runner. Put them on the first two legs but still behind the Yanks. They then have the bronze and gold individual medallists to come, we have a 200m runner and a hurdler. Yanks just don't get team sports.
@Fiona's Life and Challenges yeah Regis definitely came through for a 100m/200m man--he kept them in contention for the final leg which was all they wanted...
One of my most treasured memories is of seeing my normally restrained mother, a lifelong athletics fan, leaping out of her seat and screaming "Come on Kris! Come on!" at the top of her lungs for the last 200m 😍
Indeed. Grew up in the u.k. now live in us. Was in the uk at that point. Remember watching it. Man..Akabusi, Roger black.. i remember colin Jackson breaking the world record. Johnathan Edwards breaking the triple jump world record as well.
Everything about this race was perfection. The four magnificent performances by Black, Redmond, Regis and Akabusi, AND the incomparable commentary of Britain's greatest sports commentator David Coleman.
you are right..UK is typically better than the US so no upset at all..100% agreement no need for US 4x4 to be cocky since theyre always behind UK anyway...quite right
Whether you thought he was awful or not you have to admit his voice always gave you the feeling that you were watching something really important whether it was football or athletics. No commentator has given a football or athletics final that sense of gravitas since Coleman
@@grahamnoble4887😮😮 say it isn’t so!! He was one of the alltime greats voices in athletics. I can’t watch a 80s/90s track race without hearing his voice on the call
...grew up in the 80's loving athletics...this gold medal was the culmination of years of hard work & consistency...the likes of Todd Bennett, Brian Whittle & Phil Brown deserve a mention...
saw this live in 91 while living in London. moved to the us later on in life and i can tell you Athletics is not as popular in the us as in europe; even though the us has some of the best athletes. one thing i can say is that the university sports here in the us is huge compared to that of europe though
Yes, Chris was the inexperienced first leg of the magnificent 1984 Los Angeles Olympics 4x4 Silver medal with the great Gary Cook, Todd Bennet and the ever wonderful last leg of Phil Brown (Handsworth Legend). They always thrilled us with their victories on the last day of athletics events in the 80's.
I was in the crowd in Tokyo that night. You can imagine that we small band of Brits were going crazy as they came off the last bend !! A memory to treasure forever !!
My friends and I were about 14 and we stood and sang the national anthem throughout (ironically - but it worked!) And then went absolutely beserk. It mist have been amazing to be there. At home with Colin Murray podcast episode with Kris Akabussi brought me back here today. Well worth a listen
@@SkyratsvsSeachickens how do you sing a national anthem ‘ironically’ it must have been amazing to have been there. I watch it at least once a month to cheer me up 😀
What a memory! I was in Barcelona the following year for Christie, Sally Gunnell, Redmond etc, undoubtedly inspire by this. I'm hoping to be in Tokyo in 2025!
I was a sports mad teen in the Western Isles and watched this era obsessively. Regis was a gamble that payed off. Roger Black and Derek Redmond had fantastic memorable careers considering the injuries they both endured. And as for Kris, awesome and what a laugh.
Gives me goose-bumps whenever I watch it. Astonishing run from all 4 guys but you have to feel sorry for Quincy Watts, he ran a fab leg but was still on the losing team!
I was born in America and although I lived in England for a year I'm an American through and through. And I still watch this video once a week. Kriss Akabusi not only beats but runs down from behind the world champion in 400m.
Chris came to my school and we all had a photo with him individually. It wasn't long after this, just a few months. I was chuffed to bits! He eat such a funny, fun loving guy, I'll never forget that day. He ran with us on the field as well to top it off. Loved it.
30yrs on from me watch this live as a young boy, and it still makes the hairs on the back of my kneck stand up. None of the team got the credit they deserved.
This was a masterclass in 4x400 strategy against stronger opposition. Crafted by a coach who understood the degree to which drafting could reduce the energy spent, and set up the team to exploit it. The reason Roger Black ran the opening leg, was because he was the strongest 400m runner, and the first lap is in lanes with no benefit of drafting. It was imperative he handed over in the lead, as the second leg is still in lanes for the first bend. After that, Redmond and Regis had one task. To hold second just behind the lead American. This set up Akabusi perfectly to run in Pettigrew's slipstream, conserving energy until the final straight. And the rest is history. Four great athletes, and a superb coach!
@@66fredo99 As David Coleman says, the Americans, all the way through the Championships thought this was going to be a certainty. And if you're giving the baton to the World Champion in the lead on the final leg, they probably thought it all the way through to the last 30m! Having said that, this was a fine time for British 400m running with strength in depth, spearheaded by Roger Black, so we were always a threat... In interviews in after the team acknowledged the crucial role of tactics in this win, and the decision not to put Black on the anchor leg, but to make sure they were in contact all the way through.
Well apparently it was the athletes who overruled coaches, just seen the 30th anniversary video with all the athletes involved. They said collectively that Frank Dick was opposed to this order, as wanted to protect silver. Akabusi was the one who came up with the notion of him being on the last leg, and the others said OK, how do we make sure Kriss is still involved (meaning the US aren't too far away). Two basic errors, one no Michael Johnson who wanted to run. But they said we don't need you. Second Pettigrew not going out hard, if he goes out and does a race as if he was in the individual 400M final, he wins. Didn't do that because of complacency. Kriss could have went by, he didn't because his one chance was to beat him in the sprint for home. Kriss actually stated that he wondered what the hell was he doing, jogging round the track. If he went 0.5 secs faster would Kriss be with him. Maybe not.
@@66fredo99 No way were UK the favorites, US had the world champion and they had Quincy Watts, and they were known at this time for always dominating this event.
What a moment for 2 guys from Portsmouth and as im from Portsmouth myself i used to see these guys on a regular basis as i was a sprinter too, even beat Roger in training over 200m a bunch of times. That was my personal world champs to beat him shortly after this race. But what a memory this relay does for me is pure joy ☺😉👌
In 1991 I was in basic training for Navy Aircraft Engineering at HMS Daedalus in Lee-on-Solent. There was a pub on the seafront there, can't remember it's name and it's long gone now (Probably turned in to some retirement flats) but we would occasionally see Roger Black in there enjoying a pint or two. He was a very down to earth guy.
Not bad considering we had a 200m runner and a hurdler in the race. This is probably my no 1 memory of UK athletics, this and Jonathon Edwards breaking the triple jump world record twice in ‘95. Mo in ‘12 a close 3rd, oh and Kelly Holmes finally getting the glory she deserved and beating Maria Mutola.
Tokyo 1991 4x400 relay on here . memories , one if the best interviews I've seen , think it was in four parts , the Americans thought they only had to turn up to win it ,Roger Black ,Derrick Redman , John Regis , Chris Akabusi , showed them what you can do when you really wanted it
Am one over you there mate. 65 n think am 20. Watched it live. Yelling myself hoarse. In Sri Lanka 🇱🇰. I was a hurdler too. 110m.That whole team was fantastic.
Not simply a race but a legend. One of the most remarkable wins in relay history because it was all about clever tactics, psychology, teamwork and belief, overhauling what was easily the fastest team on paper. Watching Kris Akabusi the 400m hurdles bronze medalist overhaul that championship's 400m gold medalist was amazing. Ps: Akabusi continues to thrive and inspire, while Pettigrew was proven a drug cheat costing subsequent USA relay teams their medals, and sadly committed suicide in 2010.
Epic! Sheer guts and determination, an inspiring and thrilling performance from Kris Akabusi - who was a hurdler as opposed to a flat sprinter - one of the most memorable and spectacular victories from a British athlete in the fifty or so years I've been following the sport. A real 'champion' to have the mindset to come from behind in a world final to overtake the world record holder to clinch the gold medal....fantastic!!
Great tactic by Akabusi who had the strength from 400m hurdles racing to draft off Pettigrew for the 1st 300m then pour it on in the finishing straight-impressive career he had considering he medalled in the relay in 1984 and got the bronze in the 400H in Barcelona...Everett and Watts had great legs but the GB was very consistent all around to win it...
It was a truly inspired decision to put Black on the opening leg, Redmond 2nd, and then Regis ( a 200m ) specialist who had virtually no experience over 400, but was very powerful and strong 3rd with Akabusi (a 400m hurdler) who was also strong and powerful for the anchor leg. A magnificent team performance with everyone digging deep and pulling out something extra on each of the first 3 legs to keep GB in contention, with Akabusi running the race of his life as anchor. Great to watch again. Thanks for posting. Wonderful!!
Still my greatest moment in Athletics. That Akabusi last leg roused the morning crowd at my brother’s bar into a crescendo of hoarse screams willing him home.
My husband & l were flying from Heathrow to Toronto…cab was picking us up at 10.00am..l refused to leave the house till the race was over..I often watch again..yelling at them..what a race..well done lads.
I remember this as a kid, ten year old lad, cheering on Great Britain like crazy. How Akabusi got that extra speed and stamina will always remain in me memory. Such a brilliant run by all four lads but Chris was a national treasure like Bruno!!!!!!!!! What a run by Regis too, it was so alien seeing him doing this
Ooooooh! Watching this again stirs a cacophony of emotions; I remember screaming my head off at the tv along with my ma (who had a bit of a thing for Roger Black; didn't they all!!?!) as Kris Akabusi sat there on Pettigrew's tail and then stormed down the back straight and past him...... amazing achievement and one of the fondest memories I have during my formative years growing up supporting team GB. A phenomenal achievement by our boys; great job Rog, Dell boy, JR and Aka...... makes me so proud to be a Brit.
The most iconic win for a British 400m relay team ever in history....just incredible story....and fantastic athletes showing their true abilities here .....Black, Redmond, Regis and Akabusi were just immense ❤️
Watching this makes me feel so honoured to have body cast Kriss Akabusi MBE for a sculpture. He's such an impressive, inspirational person and really helpful too.
I still love this, 28 years later. A 400 hurdler, a 200 sprinter and 2 very good 400 runners beat the cocky superstars from the States. No wonder the Americans were shaking their heads
One of my favourite British athletic moments. I've been following the World Championships in London and enjoyed every minute...but I still remember Akabusi's amazing finish 26 years later as perhaps being the most thrilling final I've watched.
Watched it maybe,25 times. It's still fresh and marvelous. Well done G.B and Kris Akabussi. Maybe his greatest race. Am a hurdler too. So I know the feeling
I watched this with my Dad. They said they'd do something different and take a gamble to win. We we're screaming at the TV when Chris Akabusl started his leg and we didn't stop until a minute after he finished it. This is a sporting highlight.
Remember watching this live and was overjoyed at how well the guys for GB ran. All 4 guys ran superbly and each man did their bit for the team. This team were very talented individually but as a team they were greater than the sum of their parts. Black was world class and would have won individual golds if a certain Mr Johnson hadn't been born. Derek Redmond was a classy, tough no nonsense competitor. John Regis came into this team as a 100 & 200 metre specialist and ran exceptionally well and of course the great Kris Akabusi, a 400m hurdler who always seemed to find another gear in the relays. Such a proud day for GB to beat such a great American team.
Thousands of GB team supporters liked it when David Coleman said "The Americans, just caught a glimpse of them - they're shaking they''re heads", and "Looking around in bewilderment, they thought it was going to be a certainty"
2:20 - 2:22 - a close-up shot of Kris Akabusi, beautifully smooth, just floating over the ground like poetry in motion. I've only seen this in a few athletes: Seb Coe, Peter Elliott, Phil Brown, Sonia Lanamann, Hicham El Guerrouj, Alberto Juantorena and a young Allyson Felix. A lot of people forget, or didn't notice his progression in his athletics career, but Akabusi continuously improved from 1984 when he was Britain's number one ranked 400m runner. In 1990, he claimed the British Record in the 400m hurdles, beating Olympic Champion David Hemery's high altitude 48.12 set in Mexico City in 1968. Akabusi's time of 47.93 was the first time a British athlete had dipped below 48 seconds. In the process, he won European and Commonwealth titles. And a year after this run, in 1992, he ran a Bronze medal at the Olympic Games breaking that record again, even if he was far behind Kevin Young's world record winning performance. A total of 10 medals, five of which were gold, makes Akabusi one of Britain's most bemedalled athletes of all time.
Yup! A good analysis mate. And as you said all these great athletes were and are poetry in motion. They float. The viewer just sees them gliding. My favourite in that field was Hicham El Guerrouj. And Allyson Felix.
Regis was an absolute beast. Superb performance from all 4 but Akabusi chasing the World Champion down on the home straight with barely an awooga was something else. I was 11 and remember watching this...whether it was live or not I can't say, it would have been late morning in the UK I suppose.
I always thought it was a shame that Regis never made a serious move up to 400m as an individual runner as I think he had the makings of something very special at that distance.
Great childhood memory, I actually knew we had a chance before it started. It was a gamble putting are fastest first but it all worked out perfect. So exciting. One of the best moments in British track and field history
The single greatest achievement by an British relay team. Remember it like it was yesterday. The US had been unbeatable for decades winning every 4 by 4 by 20 metres. But this was our night. Kris Akabusi's finest hour.
What about Athens 4x100, when GB beat the US team who should've been untouchable as they had the gold and bronze medalists from the 100m and the gold and silver medalists from the 200m.
@@isaz597 How was it "the best until 2004"? The British women's 4 x 400 twice broke the world record in 1969. The men's 4 x 400 team won Olympic gold in 1920 & 1936 (Olympics top world champs in any athlete's book), and as for the shorter relay: The first-ever 4 x 100 competition was held in the 1912 Olympics, which makes the winners extremely significant in the pantheon of relay running, and it was the the men's GB team who won gold. The men'sGB team, which included Harold Abrahams, also broke the world record in 1924, whilst the women's GB echoed that in 1926. You can't rule out these performances just because you weren't around.
@@redrum4100 wow where you around back then you 🦕? 😉 Someone woke up 😡. It's my opinion & yes I wasn't around but guess what also wasn't around? A level of competition that is around today. You only need to look back to the Olympics & realise very few nations apart from the developed world won everything back then including Eastern European state doping. Caucasian people winning sprinting & long distance events was the norm. Now it's almost never heard of. The last 30 plus years there's far more nations with the opportunity to win a medal or if it's their day win it all. Just like this team won it. Lol you mentioned a team in the early 1900s like there was more than them & possibly the USA who had a chance!
What an athlete John Regis was. Medalled in 100 metre, 200 metre and 400 metre distances at the Olympic and World Championship levels. Truly world class in 3 different events. PBs: 10.05 in 100 metres 19.85 in 200 metres 45.40 in 400 metres Olympica 4x 100 metre silver 4x 400 bronze World Championships medals 4x 100 silver and bronze 200 metre silver and bronze 4x 400 gold
I think Derek Redmond's career is remembered too much when he got injured whilst racing at Barcelona 92. People seem to forget he was part of this awesome British 4some.
Kriss ran a really clever race here. He drafted off the American for the first 300 meters which allowed him to run the same pace at less effort & is why he was able to beat a superior 400m runner.
One of the best achievements in athletics ever seen.... America were at the time unbeaten since 1936 Olympics......so for a group of European level athletes and especially a 200m runner and a hurdler in the anchor leg as well..... tactics, friendship and sheer talent shine through......just immense!!!
Yank here. I saw this race live. Great race. You Brits beat us fair and square. If I remember, didn't the British vote this the biggest sporting event of the year for 1991?
I think it was at the sports person2od the year where they won the award for best team. I was 11 at the time so it's hard to remember exactly but I'll never forget this race.
32 years later, I'm 72 now, and this still brings a tear to my eyes.
Me too, no matter how many times you've seen it, it's still a cliff-hanger.
Same, brilliant race from a rag tag team, 200m specialist hurdles specialist, well done lads 👏🏻
A hurdler, 200 metre sprinter, and 400.metre runners returning from injuries and tons of guts!
Rule Britannia
May you have many more fruitful days ahead
Kris Akabusi never got enough credit for this run. A hurdler giving the 400 flat World Champion a start and taking him easily is a great achievement.
i think he got a lot of credit actually - and deserved it. Always a great relay man
The night before he told Roger Black he could do it, and Roger Black had no idea what he was talking about. They changed their race to win and it worked. He deserves all the credit for this
Me too!!!××
I was 11 years old & praised & talked about Akabusi since this race
Akabusi was my favourite athlete
30 years later I never tire of watching this. The greatest athletics performance by any British team in my lifetime.
I never get tired either . I was in hospital for three weeks after a big operation the night before they let me go home . It really lifted my spirits !
What about 4x100 guys at Athens 2004 & 4x100 guys at London 2017?
Same! I was just a kid, under 10 years old, when this was run, but I still remember it decades later.
I concur.
Phil Brown catching Innocent Egbunike for Silver in '84 was pretty good, too. Akabusi in both.
But with this, loved the way we had 2 world class 400m runner. Put them on the first two legs but still behind the Yanks. They then have the bronze and gold individual medallists to come, we have a 200m runner and a hurdler.
Yanks just don't get team sports.
That was a remarkable performance by each member of that GB squad but big John Regis stepping up from 200m to run a leg like that was pure class.
@Fiona's Life and Challenges yeah Regis definitely came through for a 100m/200m man--he kept them in contention for the final leg which was all they wanted...
Yes, I'd forgotten John Regis was in this. What a great race by the whole team.
@@docpj72 44.3 leg, more than respectable. Totally agree with your comments. 400m is for those who like pain.
And run 44.3!!!
All of them ran unbelievably.
The first leg from Roger Black was amazing.
Understanding, one and all.
Kris on the anchor leg, proving the strength of a 400m Hurdler.
The British quartet deserved this so much. Great bunch of guys, and Akabusi’s run is in British athletic folklore.
I thought Akabusi was an old man when I watched this at the time, I'm 45 now. One of the greatest moments in British sport
How can you not love Kriss Akabusi - Alright!!!
Athletics in the 80's & 90's couldn't be touched.
What a performance by our four guys.
Agreed. It was such an amazing time in T&F
Well it couldn't be tocuhed because nearly everyone was on drugs! Not suggesting this UK quartet was
One of my most treasured memories is of seeing my normally restrained mother, a lifelong athletics fan, leaping out of her seat and screaming "Come on Kris! Come on!" at the top of her lungs for the last 200m 😍
Shippers 68 - My mum was like that when Frank Bruno boxed. Hilarious isn't it! 😂
Indeed. Grew up in the u.k. now live in us. Was in the uk at that point. Remember watching it. Man..Akabusi, Roger black.. i remember colin Jackson breaking the world record. Johnathan Edwards breaking the triple jump world record as well.
I promise you we were all like that in our house too! I was thirteen at the time but remember this race vividly.
@@FirehouseDub Could be a lesson here about British people working together to beat the world!
Apparently Michael Johnson was in the USA squad, but they thought he wasn't good enough 😂
Everything about this race was perfection. The four magnificent performances by Black, Redmond, Regis and Akabusi, AND the incomparable commentary of Britain's greatest sports commentator David Coleman.
One of the great upsets, absolutely astonishing race which still gives me goosebumps.
No upset the british have always had fantastic track and field athletes, the us are to cocky I'm so happy the United kingdom won
you are right..UK is typically better than the US so no upset at all..100% agreement no need for US 4x4 to be cocky since theyre always behind UK anyway...quite right
David Coleman was absolutely brilliant. One of the greats, commentating on one of the great performances.
" and the American is beaten, he's fighting back, Akabusi has made it, gold for Britain." Epic
Quite remarkable
He was awful.
Whether you thought he was awful or not you have to admit his voice always gave you the feeling that you were watching something really important whether it was football or athletics. No commentator has given a football or athletics final that sense of gravitas since Coleman
@@grahamnoble4887😮😮 say it isn’t so!! He was one of the alltime greats voices in athletics. I can’t watch a 80s/90s track race without hearing his voice on the call
...grew up in the 80's loving athletics...this gold medal was the culmination of years of hard work & consistency...the likes of Todd Bennett, Brian Whittle & Phil Brown deserve a mention...
Amen to that. I was a hurdler too. 110 m . And Kris was one of my favourites. And a nice guy to mention.
saw this live in 91 while living in London. moved to the us later on in life and i can tell you Athletics is not as popular in the us as in europe; even though the us has some of the best athletes. one thing i can say is that the university sports here in the us is huge compared to that of europe though
Phil Brown did the same stuff! Legends
Yes, Chris was the inexperienced first leg of the magnificent 1984 Los Angeles Olympics 4x4 Silver medal with the great Gary Cook, Todd Bennet and the ever wonderful last leg of Phil Brown (Handsworth Legend). They always thrilled us with their victories on the last day of athletics events in the 80's.
Simply one of the most incredible achievements in British athletics history.
Still get goose bumps.
I was in the crowd in Tokyo that night. You can imagine that we small band of Brits were going crazy as they came off the last bend !! A memory to treasure forever !!
My friends and I were about 14 and we stood and sang the national anthem throughout (ironically - but it worked!) And then went absolutely beserk.
It mist have been amazing to be there.
At home with Colin Murray podcast episode with Kris Akabussi brought me back here today. Well worth a listen
Michael Lovell what a memory, I envy you, but I had a lot of fun watching it on tv, you may well have heard me out in Tokyo as we crossed the line
@@SkyratsvsSeachickens how do you sing a national anthem ‘ironically’ it must have been amazing to have been there. I watch it at least once a month to cheer me up 😀
What a memory! I was in Barcelona the following year for Christie, Sally Gunnell, Redmond etc, undoubtedly inspire by this. I'm hoping to be in Tokyo in 2025!
Still screaming come on Kris,29 years later,best relay race ever, absolutely amazing
I was a sports mad teen in the Western Isles and watched this era obsessively. Regis was a gamble that payed off. Roger Black and Derek Redmond had fantastic memorable careers considering the injuries they both endured. And as for Kris, awesome and what a laugh.
David 'quite remarkable' Coleman. What a commentator. No-one will ever surpass him IMO.
He wasn't very good in all honesty
I never tire of watching this superb performance by Black, Redmond, Regis and Akabusi.
Britain's finest hour for men's 4 x 400! I remember it like yesterday as it was so AMAZING!
yeah your right was amazing
I know and comparing it to our team in Europe recently which was so disappointing.
Gives me goose-bumps whenever I watch it. Astonishing run from all 4 guys but you have to feel sorry for Quincy Watts, he ran a fab leg but was still on the losing team!
The Olympic Silver in LA, 1984, was pretty spectacular as well.
I was born in America and although I lived in England for a year I'm an American through and through. And I still watch this video once a week. Kriss Akabusi not only beats but runs down from behind the world champion in 400m.
Fantastic lads. What a run from all of you.
Chris came to my school and we all had a photo with him individually. It wasn't long after this, just a few months. I was chuffed to bits! He eat such a funny, fun loving guy, I'll never forget that day. He ran with us on the field as well to top it off. Loved it.
Just magical. It's one of those moments that stays with you and produces ever-lasting joy. Thanks guys - you're all heroes.
30yrs on from me watch this live as a young boy, and it still makes the hairs on the back of my kneck stand up.
None of the team got the credit they deserved.
I remember being delighted by this, watching it in real time those 30 years ago
This was a masterclass in 4x400 strategy against stronger opposition. Crafted by a coach who understood the degree to which drafting could reduce the energy spent, and set up the team to exploit it. The reason Roger Black ran the opening leg, was because he was the strongest 400m runner, and the first lap is in lanes with no benefit of drafting. It was imperative he handed over in the lead, as the second leg is still in lanes for the first bend. After that, Redmond and Regis had one task. To hold second just behind the lead American. This set up Akabusi perfectly to run in Pettigrew's slipstream, conserving energy until the final straight. And the rest is history. Four great athletes, and a superb coach!
stronger opposition? weren't the UK the favorites going in?
@@66fredo99 As David Coleman says, the Americans, all the way through the Championships thought this was going to be a certainty. And if you're giving the baton to the World Champion in the lead on the final leg, they probably thought it all the way through to the last 30m!
Having said that, this was a fine time for British 400m running with strength in depth, spearheaded by Roger Black, so we were always a threat...
In interviews in after the team acknowledged the crucial role of tactics in this win, and the decision not to put Black on the anchor leg, but to make sure they were in contact all the way through.
Well apparently it was the athletes who overruled coaches, just seen the 30th anniversary video with all the athletes involved. They said collectively that Frank Dick was opposed to this order, as wanted to protect silver. Akabusi was the one who came up with the notion of him being on the last leg, and the others said OK, how do we make sure Kriss is still involved (meaning the US aren't too far away).
Two basic errors, one no Michael Johnson who wanted to run. But they said we don't need you. Second Pettigrew not going out hard, if he goes out and does a race as if he was in the individual 400M final, he wins. Didn't do that because of complacency. Kriss could have went by, he didn't because his one chance was to beat him in the sprint for home. Kriss actually stated that he wondered what the hell was he doing, jogging round the track. If he went 0.5 secs faster would Kriss be with him. Maybe not.
@@peterharridge8565 ...interesting..thanks.
@@66fredo99 No way were UK the favorites, US had the world champion and they had Quincy Watts, and they were known at this time for always dominating this event.
What a moment for 2 guys from Portsmouth and as im from Portsmouth myself i used to see these guys on a regular basis as i was a sprinter too, even beat Roger in training over 200m a bunch of times. That was my personal world champs to beat him shortly after this race. But what a memory this relay does for me is pure joy ☺😉👌
In 1991 I was in basic training for Navy Aircraft Engineering at HMS Daedalus in Lee-on-Solent. There was a pub on the seafront there, can't remember it's name and it's long gone now (Probably turned in to some retirement flats) but we would occasionally see Roger Black in there enjoying a pint or two. He was a very down to earth guy.
Roger Black, Kriss Akabusi and Kelly Holmes are local heroes for us living between Gosport and Southampton. All such inspirational figures.
One of the greatest events from a GB perspective. Can remember watching it on a Sunday morning before church
The final leg was absolutely brilliant by the British athlete
@@Mozza85 I know that
against a dead drug cheat too.
I think Akabusi was the old man of the team too - 34 years old I think.
@@RobCLynch32
Anytime I feel down I would re-watch this race and it has never failed to lift me back up.
I keep coming back to this race because, well, it just doesn’t get much better, does it!
The golden years of track and field. Great to watch.
About my favourite race ever. I was only 11 at the time but I remember going nuts at this result.
I was 10 but this race is unforgettable!
Such fond memories of watching this quartet. Four legends of British athletics!
A great GB victory in athletics. I remember all of my family sitting/standing watching this. We were shouting at the tv
My favourite race ever. Poetry.
Mine too! 10 years later😅
Not bad considering we had a 200m runner and a hurdler in the race. This is probably my no 1 memory of UK athletics, this and Jonathon Edwards breaking the triple jump world record twice in ‘95. Mo in ‘12 a close 3rd, oh and Kelly Holmes finally getting the glory she deserved and beating Maria Mutola.
Lots of class your mentioned there
And now keely ✌️
David Coleman, one of the finest sports commentators ever.
So true .. nobody could touch him , fantastic.
Absolutely!
@@WyreForestBiker Totally agree with you.
Yep
Steve cram is good too!
Great memory, just shows you can never take anything for granted in the world of athletics.
Tokyo 1991 4x400 relay on here . memories , one if the best interviews I've seen , think it was in four parts , the Americans thought they only had to turn up to win it ,Roger Black ,Derrick Redman , John Regis , Chris Akabusi , showed them what you can do when you really wanted it
I’m 59 now and that race still brings a tear to my eyes - to beat that US team was truly remarkable👏👏👏
Am one over you there mate. 65 n think am 20. Watched it live. Yelling myself hoarse. In Sri Lanka 🇱🇰. I was a hurdler too. 110m.That whole team was fantastic.
Not simply a race but a legend. One of the most remarkable wins in relay history because it was all about clever tactics, psychology, teamwork and belief, overhauling what was easily the fastest team on paper. Watching Kris Akabusi the 400m hurdles bronze medalist overhaul that championship's 400m gold medalist was amazing.
Ps: Akabusi continues to thrive and inspire, while Pettigrew was proven a drug cheat costing subsequent USA relay teams their medals, and sadly committed suicide in 2010.
Brilliant commentary by David Coleman.
What an incredible achievement this was....four fantastic athletes and great friends... A brilliant plan well executed....
This still brings tears to my eyes. Just astonishing how Kris got him
Marvellous memories. What a great team effort ! Akabussi pure class.
Whenever I get bored I come here to cheer myself up even though I watched live at the time living at Tottenham
Just can't imagine a better relay race. Absolutely fantastic
It'll never happen😂
Brilliant and all four were clean athletes.
Wonderful times! Such great memories seeing those lads again, and what an unbelievable win!
One of my all time favourite moments in sport - Akabusi had no right to beat Pettigrew :)
Agreed, and Regis had no right to run equal with Everett. Once Valmon ran even with Black, this race shouldn't have been close.
Especially as Pettigrew was doping. !
that'sobviously what Pettgirew thought judging by the after-antics
Tragically, Pettigrew committed suicide a decade or so later - after his personal life hit rock bottom.
Same! Remember watching it as a 9 year old jumping up and down & screaming "Go on, Go on" what a win!
Epic!
Sheer guts and determination, an inspiring and thrilling performance from Kris Akabusi - who was a hurdler as opposed to a flat sprinter - one of the most memorable and spectacular victories from a British athlete in the fifty or so years I've been following the sport. A real 'champion' to have the mindset to come from behind in a world final to overtake the world record holder to clinch the gold medal....fantastic!!
This commentator was probably the best of all time. I remember him calling Seb Coe's races. Legendary.
A hurdler beat the world champion on the flat. Awesome display by Kris, and he was in my regiment in HMarmed forces
Great tactic by Akabusi who had the strength from 400m hurdles racing to draft off Pettigrew for the 1st 300m then pour it on in the finishing straight-impressive career he had considering he medalled in the relay in 1984 and got the bronze in the 400H in Barcelona...Everett and Watts had great legs but the GB was very consistent all around to win it...
were you watching their legs instead of their laps?
Honestly remember screaming at the TV watching this live!!! Loved it 😂😂😂
Fellow Bear.
I remember watching this - absolute magic, what a team.
It was a truly inspired decision to put Black on the opening leg, Redmond 2nd, and then Regis ( a 200m ) specialist who had virtually no experience over 400, but was very powerful and strong 3rd with Akabusi (a 400m hurdler) who was also strong and powerful for the anchor leg. A magnificent team performance with everyone digging deep and pulling out something extra on each of the first 3 legs to keep GB in contention, with Akabusi running the race of his life as anchor. Great to watch again.
Thanks for posting. Wonderful!!
Still my greatest moment in Athletics. That Akabusi last leg roused the morning crowd at my brother’s bar into a crescendo of hoarse screams willing him home.
Would be a nice thought to think it helped in some way, perhaps it did I'd like to think so.
My husband & l were flying from Heathrow to Toronto…cab was picking us up at 10.00am..l refused to leave the house till the race was over..I often watch again..yelling at them..what a race..well done lads.
I remember this as a kid, ten year old lad, cheering on Great Britain like crazy. How Akabusi got that extra speed and stamina will always remain in me memory. Such a brilliant run by all four lads but Chris was a national treasure like Bruno!!!!!!!!! What a run by Regis too, it was so alien seeing him doing this
I am 48 and remember this so clearly ❤ as a family we always sat and watched the major athletics religiously. What an era.
Akabusi was a really good athlete and very likable just like Usain because of his personality
Yeah he was a character 😂
Ooooooh! Watching this again stirs a cacophony of emotions; I remember screaming my head off at the tv along with my ma (who had a bit of a thing for Roger Black; didn't they all!!?!) as Kris Akabusi sat there on Pettigrew's tail and then stormed down the back straight and past him...... amazing achievement and one of the fondest memories I have during my formative years growing up supporting team GB.
A phenomenal achievement by our boys; great job Rog, Dell boy, JR and Aka...... makes me so proud to be a Brit.
Richard Walter, oh yeah, I’m with Mum, what red blooded female would not have had a thing about Roget Black :)
@@kaywinfield8508 Roger Black was and is (!) gorgeous.
The most iconic win for a British 400m relay team ever in history....just incredible story....and fantastic athletes showing their true abilities here .....Black, Redmond, Regis and Akabusi were just immense ❤️
Watching this makes me feel so honoured to have body cast Kriss Akabusi MBE for a sculpture. He's such an impressive, inspirational person and really helpful too.
Kris, what a guy!
I still love this, 28 years later. A 400 hurdler, a 200 sprinter and 2 very good 400 runners beat the cocky superstars from the States. No wonder the Americans were shaking their heads
LOL what makes you say they were cocky? Get a grip homeboy.
One of my favourite British athletic moments. I've been following the World Championships in London and enjoyed every minute...but I still remember Akabusi's amazing finish 26 years later as perhaps being the most thrilling final I've watched.
Akabusi his laugh was amazing what an athlete and a personality to match
Gotta love a bit of Akabusi.
Go kris go made me cry at the time never seen any thing that made me more proud to be british
What a mighty stadium that was in Tokyo.
Kevin Prior - I'm hoping they do a good job with the Olympics.
@@jaysmith2858 covid killed that idea
@@kevinprior3549 Indeed. Some of those athletes were denied their true moments of glory.
I love the 4x400m relay!! Eyeballs-out all the way! By far the most exciting track event of them all.
Watched it maybe,25 times. It's still fresh and marvelous. Well done G.B and Kris Akabussi. Maybe his greatest race. Am a hurdler too. So I know the feeling
I watched this with my Dad. They said they'd do something different and take a gamble to win. We we're screaming at the TV when Chris Akabusl started his leg and we didn't stop until a minute after he finished it.
This is a sporting highlight.
Remember watching this live and was overjoyed at how well the guys for GB ran. All 4 guys ran superbly and each man did their bit for the team. This team were very talented individually but as a team they were greater than the sum of their parts. Black was world class and would have won individual golds if a certain Mr Johnson hadn't been born. Derek Redmond was a classy, tough no nonsense competitor. John Regis came into this team as a 100 & 200 metre specialist and ran exceptionally well and of course the great Kris Akabusi, a 400m hurdler who always seemed to find another gear in the relays. Such a proud day for GB to beat such a great American team.
Thousands of GB team supporters liked it when David Coleman said "The Americans, just caught a glimpse of them - they're shaking they''re heads", and "Looking around in bewilderment, they thought it was going to be a certainty"
2:20 - 2:22 - a close-up shot of Kris Akabusi, beautifully smooth, just floating over the ground like poetry in motion. I've only seen this in a few athletes: Seb Coe, Peter Elliott, Phil Brown, Sonia Lanamann, Hicham El Guerrouj, Alberto Juantorena and a young Allyson Felix. A lot of people forget, or didn't notice his progression in his athletics career, but Akabusi continuously improved from 1984 when he was Britain's number one ranked 400m runner. In 1990, he claimed the British Record in the 400m hurdles, beating Olympic Champion David Hemery's high altitude 48.12 set in Mexico City in 1968. Akabusi's time of 47.93 was the first time a British athlete had dipped below 48 seconds. In the process, he won European and Commonwealth titles. And a year after this run, in 1992, he ran a Bronze medal at the Olympic Games breaking that record again, even if he was far behind Kevin Young's world record winning performance. A total of 10 medals, five of which were gold, makes Akabusi one of Britain's most bemedalled athletes of all time.
Except that isn't Akabusi lol
Yup! A good analysis mate. And as you said all these great athletes were and are poetry in motion. They float. The viewer just sees them gliding. My favourite in that field was Hicham El Guerrouj. And Allyson Felix.
Regis was an absolute beast. Superb performance from all 4 but Akabusi chasing the World Champion down on the home straight with barely an awooga was something else. I was 11 and remember watching this...whether it was live or not I can't say, it would have been late morning in the UK I suppose.
I always thought it was a shame that Regis never made a serious move up to 400m as an individual runner as I think he had the makings of something very special at that distance.
I’m an American, but this was a beautifully run race, for both teams!
Deb. Very gracious and sporting of you, well said.
Three men of colour in that British team. The remaining one was also Black. Roger Black.
Great childhood memory, I actually knew we had a chance before it started. It was a gamble putting are fastest first but it all worked out perfect. So exciting. One of the best moments in British track and field history
This stays in your memory.I met Roger Black years later and he gave a talk on this race.
The single greatest achievement by an British relay team. Remember it like it was yesterday. The US had been unbeatable for decades winning every 4 by 4 by 20 metres. But this was our night. Kris Akabusi's finest hour.
Er, we did win the Olympics twice.
What about Athens 4x100, when GB beat the US team who should've been untouchable as they had the gold and bronze medalists from the 100m and the gold and silver medalists from the 200m.
@@gezzarandom This was the best until the 2004 4x100m you are correct.
@@isaz597 How was it "the best until 2004"? The British women's 4 x 400 twice broke the world record in 1969. The men's 4 x 400 team won Olympic gold in 1920 & 1936 (Olympics top world champs in any athlete's book), and as for the shorter relay: The first-ever 4 x 100 competition was held in the 1912 Olympics, which makes the winners extremely significant in the pantheon of relay running, and it was the the men's GB team who won gold. The men'sGB team, which included Harold Abrahams, also broke the world record in 1924, whilst the women's GB echoed that in 1926. You can't rule out these performances just because you weren't around.
@@redrum4100 wow where you around back then you 🦕? 😉
Someone woke up 😡.
It's my opinion & yes I wasn't around but guess what also wasn't around? A level of competition that is around today. You only need to look back to the Olympics & realise very few nations apart from the developed world won everything back then including Eastern European state doping. Caucasian people winning sprinting & long distance events was the norm. Now it's almost never heard of. The last 30 plus years there's far more nations with the opportunity to win a medal or if it's their day win it all. Just like this team won it. Lol you mentioned a team in the early 1900s like there was more than them & possibly the USA who had a chance!
Love u Hagarbushi xx
What an athlete John Regis was. Medalled in 100 metre, 200 metre and 400 metre distances at the Olympic and World Championship levels. Truly world class in 3 different events.
PBs:
10.05 in 100 metres
19.85 in 200 metres
45.40 in 400 metres
Olympica
4x 100 metre silver
4x 400 bronze
World Championships medals
4x 100 silver and bronze
200 metre silver and bronze
4x 400 gold
Black, Redmond, Regis and Akabusi. We really did have some fabulous runners in those days.
Quite literally - breathtaking!
What a team.
I think Derek Redmond's career is remembered too much when he got injured whilst racing at Barcelona 92. People seem to forget he was part of this awesome British 4some.
What a race brilliant running,and of course David Coleman commentary .and the American is beaten brilliant
Remember this like it was yesterday, brilliant ❤
Superb commentary
Kriss ran a really clever race here. He drafted off the American for the first 300 meters which allowed him to run the same pace at less effort & is why he was able to beat a superior 400m runner.
One of the best achievements in athletics ever seen.... America were at the time unbeaten since 1936 Olympics......so for a group of European level athletes and especially a 200m runner and a hurdler in the anchor leg as well..... tactics, friendship and sheer talent shine through......just immense!!!
Yank here. I saw this race live. Great race. You Brits beat us fair and square. If I remember, didn't the British vote this the biggest sporting event of the year for 1991?
I think it was at the sports person2od the year where they won the award for best team. I was 11 at the time so it's hard to remember exactly but I'll never forget this race.
that was awesome for GB. I remember the long jump comp. Gold for GB, job well done.
the best moment was great britain's victory. it was perfectly right. no need to worry about others.