A young sprinter in the US has gone to extreme lengths to win a 400-metre hurdle race.

Texas A&M hurdler Infinite Tucker was locked in a stride-for-stride battle with teammate Robert Grant as they headed towards the finish line in Saturday’s race at the 2019 SEC Track & Field Championships.

So a desperate Tucker made the brave decision to go – in the words of US commentators – “full Superman” and dive over the line.

“Look. I closed my eyes over hurdle 10. I opened it, saw my ma at the finish, and I jumped to give her a hug,” Tucker told ESPN after the race. “That’s all it is.”

Tucker face-planted across the line in what looked a nasty fall but appeared to be worth the pain as he secured the win.

“I just gave it my all and I felt like diving to the finish was me using my whole body,” he said. “I just gave it my all that race.”

Grant, who came second, stopped to help his victorious teammate up. But he didn’t seem too impressed on Tucker’s unconventional finish.

“If I say what I thought on this camera, microphone right now, Coach [Pat] Henry would kick me off the team,” Grant told ESPN with a smile.

An unrepentant Tucker said it was all worth it: “I’m just happy with the win,” he told journalists after the race.

Comments from Infinite Tucker on his diving victory in the SEC 400m hurdles. pic.twitter.com/PhCOb2ozzO

— Texas A&M Track & Field/Cross Country (@aggietfxc) May 12, 2019