RIO: US Muhammad continues to move fast read more at here http://spinonews.com/index.php/component/k2/item/638

With steady rain pouring down at the Olympic stadium Muhammad shot out of the blocks, rose quickest at the first hurdle and never looked like being overtaken.

She clocked 53.13 seconds to win by a margin of 0.42.

The 26-year-old had come to the Rio Games as the fastest woman in the event this year

Dalilah Muhammad of the United States led from start to finish to take the Olympic gold medal in the 400 meters hurdles on Thursday and complete a U.S. double in the women's and men's events

After two years of struggling with injuries and losing confidence over disappointing results, Muhammad won gold Thursday in 53.14 seconds, dominating the race despite a light rain that fell over Olympic Stadium.

Taking command early, Muhammad found herself all alone in the final 100 meters, cruising to the finish by a comfortable .42 seconds over Denmark’s Sara Slott Petersen. It’s the first time an American woman has won a gold medal in this event.

American Ashley Spencer who was far back early earned the bronze medal with a strong finishing kick while posting her personal best time of 53.72 seconds.

Muhammad’s performance at the U.S. Olympic trials foreshadowed her gold-medal run here. After making a coaching change in February and improving her fitness level, she posted the fastest time in the world this year and shaved nearly a second off her personal best.

Though she didn’t run that fast in Rio, it was an impressive performance. Her game plan coming out of lane No. 3 was to hit the front as quickly as possible, and she didn’t disappoint. By hurdle No. 8, she had opened up on the field and was only going to get caught if she made a mistake

Spencer who began competing full-time in hurdles, said she made technical mistakes during the race and was probably too conservative in laying back off the pace early but was thrilled to leave with the bronze.

Petersen the European champion ran 53.55 seconds, and Spencer recorded a personal best of 53.72.