Overview

• He led from the gun at Paris Charléty to lower Mehdi Baala’s 2003 French record by nearly 1.5 seconds.
• The run moved him past Olympic champion Cole Hocker and world titleholder Josh Kerr in the all-time 1500m rankings.
• Baala, now director of the French teams, praised Habz’s attitude and said he felt as proud as if he had set the time himself.
• Four compatriots—Flavien Szot, Pierrick Jocteur-Monrozier, Romain Mornet and Paul Anselmini—also set personal bests to meet Tokyo world championships qualifying marks, though only three can race the 1500m.
• French middle-distance and hurdle specialists from Jimmy Gressier to Wilhem Belocian secured qualifying standards across events from 110m hurdles to the 5000m.