DOHA: Qatar — Abdalleleh Haroun cruised to victory in the 400m as he clocked 44.85 to claim a dominant win at the first Diamond League meet of the year in Doha.

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The Qatari emphatically beat Abubakar Abbas (46.09) and Youssef Mohammad Taher (46.27) into second and third to extend his tremendous record this year

The 18-year-old broke the Asian indoor record in February and the Qatar junior record with 44.68, the sixth best time for an Asian.

It raises the prospect of a future Olympic star in the region as he continues to run convincingly.

“I enjoyed the race. It’s not my best time but I’m happy,” said Haroun. “I’m just trying to get comfortable on track and do my best.”

Haroun’s superb form should continue when he competes in Eugene on May 30.

“I look ahead to Eugene and hopefully I can repeat this, if not run better.”  

“I’ve run 44-seconds three times this year. It’s a huge honour to be able to a run a time like this in the Diamond League.”

In sixth place, Qatar’s Mohamed El Nour (47.77) was running in the 400m for the first time and believes he has more to offer at this distance as the season progresses.

“I was previously running 800m so I’m just getting used to this distance. It’s tough but I’ll keep working hard to improve,” said El Nour.