The 25-year-old Benfica hurdler completed the race in 54.54 seconds, finishing third in the heat, behind American Anna Cockrell (53.63) and Jamaican Andrenette Knight (53.74).

"I do not think about the record. I want it, but the most important thing is to be a finalist. If not, I hope to break the national record in the next round. That would be enough to make me happy," she said in a downbeat tone.

Fatoumata Diallo comfortably secured one of the qualifying spots, but not without feeling the impact of the heat and humidity in the Japanese capital. "I was not very comfortable, with the heat and humidity being very intense, and I felt a little heavy. I was not perfect, and I knew I had to give it my all to finish in the top four. It is always a pleasure to break the national record, but in championships, the important thing is to advance to the next rounds," she concluded.

The Portuguese athlete, born in Guinea-Conakry, finished the qualifying rounds with the ninth fastest time of the five heats, among the 24 who advanced to the semi-finals, aiming for the final, scheduled for Friday the 20th at 1:27 pm Portuguese time.

The 24th place achieved in Daegu 2011 by previous national record holder Vera Barbosa is the best Portuguese result in the event, now within reach of Fatoumata Diallo.