Wilfried Happio is ASSAULTED 20 minutes before his race but becomes national 400m hurdles champion

Wilfried Happio has sensationally won the French 400m hurdles championship – despite being assaulted just 20 minutes earlier in shocking scenes. 

French athlete Happio, set to compete in the national meet in Caen on Saturday evening, was warming up when he was attacked.

The individual incredibly got past security and violently assaulted the 23-year-old track star, landing several punches to the face.

Olivier Vallaeys, the athlete’s coach, was forced to step in to block the attacker, before police eventually arrested them.

Happio was left battered and bruised, with French outlet RMC Sport reporting that he was coughing up blood just moments before the race.

But he declared himself fit to compete – taking to the track with an eyepatch held in place by a headband – and dramatically won it in a personal-best time of 48.57.

Wilfried Happio (above) has become French 400m hurdles champion in sensational fashion

The 23-year-old was assaulted just 20 minutes before the race, leaving him forced to wear an eyepatch held in place by a headband – Happio then declared himself fit and won the race

He said after the race: I don’t want to dwell on it. We’ll leave that to the competent people. To talk about the race, we worked a lot, we redid the music and that’s it. The feelings were good. I’m glad I did this time. Physically it’s fine.’

Coach Vallaeys added: ‘There was a big incident during the warm-up. Someone jumped on him and hit him.

‘A guy who came from nowhere asked him if it was really him, Wilfried Happio, and threw himself on him. I belted it. It was 20 minutes before the race, we were ready to go to the call room. We’re in shock. The guy was arrested. Wilfried is fine.

Happio, who went to hospital for further tests, roared with delight after winning in a personal best time of 48.57 –  the Parisian will now compete in July’s World Championships in Oregon

‘But I’m speechless, it’s a mess. Sheer aggression. It’s outrageous. These are savage methods.’  

Parisian Happio – who went to hospital for further examinations – will now compete in July’s World Championships in Oregon, United States. He previously raced at that level in 2019, placing 33rd after crashing out in the heats. 

Le Parisien have reported the French Athletics Federation and the city of Caen will file a complaint against the attacker on Sunday.