TORUŃ, Poland – The 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships delivered a cruel twist of fate for Belgian sprinter Simon Verherstraeten on Friday, as a promising campaign ended abruptly with an injury in the final of the 60 meters. The incident capped a day of mixed results for the Belgian team in Toruń, Poland, as Eliott Crestan advanced strongly in the 800m while other athletes faced disappointment.
Verherstraeten, 27, had enjoyed a stellar run to the final, consistently posting impressive times. He clocked 6.53 seconds in the heats, just a hundredth of a second off his national record, and followed that up with a shared second-place finish in the semifinals. The final, however, turned into a nightmare scenario. Reports indicate Verherstraeten suffered an injury almost immediately after the start, forcing him to withdraw from the race and be carried off the track on a stretcher. Sporza confirmed the injury and subsequent removal from the competition.
The gold medal in the 60m went to American Jordan Anthony. While Verherstraeten’s championship ended in heartbreak, his performance throughout the earlier rounds marked a significant step forward in his international career.
On a brighter note for Belgium, Eliott Crestan delivered a dominant performance in the heats of the 800 meters, winning his race in a time of 1:45.51 – the fastest time of all competitors. Crestan will now compete in the semifinals on Saturday, aiming to reach the final where he hopes to contend for a medal, having previously won bronze and silver at major championships.
The day wasn’t without its setbacks for other Belgian athletes. Pieter Sisk and Jochem Vermeulen both failed to advance from the heats of the 1500 meters. Sisk finished sixth in his race, while Vermeulen placed one spot higher. Only the top three from each of the three heats qualified for Sunday’s final.
Helena Ponette also faced disappointment in the 400 meters, finishing third in her heat with a time of 52.34 seconds, which wasn’t enough to secure a place in the next round.
In the heptathlon, Jente Hauttekeete concluded the first day of competition in sixth place with 3,341 points. He didn’t achieve personal bests in any of the four events – the 60m (6.99s), long jump (7.15m), shot put (15.34m), and high jump (1.99m). Hauttekeete will continue his heptathlon campaign on Saturday with the 60m hurdles, pole vault, and 1000m.
For Verherstraeten, the focus now shifts to recovery. The nature and severity of his injury remain unclear, but the incident undoubtedly represents a significant blow to his ambitions for the indoor season. It’s a stark reminder of the physical demands placed on athletes at the highest level, and the fine line between triumph and setback.
The World Athletics Indoor Championships continue on Saturday with further heats and finals. Crestan’s 800m semifinal will be a key event for the Belgian team, as they look to build on the early promise shown in Toruń.
What’s Next: Eliott Crestan will compete in the 800m semifinals on Saturday. Further updates on Simon Verherstraeten’s condition are expected in the coming days.
