BOLT 14.42 (+1.4)

RIO DE JANEIRO (BRA, Mar 31): „Good run today.. The Brazilian fans were great.. Thanks for all the love,” said Usain Bolt on his twitter after winning the special 150 m race at Copacabana Beach in fast 14.42 (+1.4). He missed his world best from Manchester 2009 by 0.07 in hot midday weather (30 degrees). Second his club mate Daniel Bailey of Antigua 14.88 ahead of top Brazilian Bruno de Barros 14.91 and Ecuador Olympic finalist Alex Quinonez 15.90. „It was pretty hot I hope it will be cooler when I come back in 2016. It was my first sprint of the season so a good start,” said Bolt after the race. In women 150 m Franciela Krasucki won in 16.75 ahead of Rosangela Santos and Vanda Gomes both 17.12 and Evelyn Santos fourth 17.75. In the paralympic duel home star Alan Fonteles in 15.68 clearly beat US Jerome Singleton who got 16.45. In Saturday qualification Bruno De Barros won in 15.08 over Ailson Feitosa 15.30 and Sandro Viana 15.67, Nilson Andre was disqualified.

POWELL WITHDRAWS

STAWELL (AUS): Jamaican star Asafa Powell has advised the Stawell Athletic Club that he will not line up in the semi finals of the Australia Post Stawell Gift on Monday. Undergoing treatment since his heat run on Saturday, Powell last night asked for more time to give himself the best chance of lining up but upon waking on Monday morning has informed the Stawell Athletic Club that he is experiencing increased tightness in his hamstring and will not take part in Australia’s richest and most famous footrace. Powell will still attend finals day of the Australia Post Stawell Gift at Central Park on Monday. Upon his return to Melbourne tomorrow, the 30-year-old will have an MRI to ascertain the extent of the injury.

PATTON WINDY 9.75

AUSTIN (USA, Mar 30): The final day of the 86th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays saw a series of top performances. In men 100 m aided by +4.3 Darvis Patton clocked 9.75 ahead of 200 m specialist Wallace Spearmon 9.92, Mike Rodgers 9.93 and Charles Silmon 9.94. In high school section Cameron Burrell posted windy 10.07 (+3.2). In the university final Ameer Webb clocked world leading 10.14 (+1.6) over Aaron Ernest 10.18. The Stratton Sprint named by the coach clocked world leading 38.36 in the 4×100 m (Spearmon, M. Mitchell, Connaughton, Patton). Second Just USA (Kimmons, hurdler Tinsley, I. Williams, Rodgers) also good 38.99 and third Green and Gold Elite with Jeremy Wariner in third leg 39.35. In University section Texas AM got 38.64 over Florida 38.99. San Antonio Elite won the 4×400 m in world leading 3:01.93 (Betters, C. Smith, Courtney, Summers). Second Green and Gold Elite with anchor Jeremy Wariner 3:02.21. University winner Florida was timed with 3:02.65 over Texas AM 3:02.76 and Baylor 3:03.90. Jamaican NCAA Champion Andrew Riley won the hurdles in 13.44 (+1.8) over Shane Brathwaite of Barbados 13.46. In university section Jonathan Cabral windy 13.33 (+2.6) and in the high school section Tony Brown legal 13.38 (+0.9). In high jump battle of olympic medalists Canadian Derek Drouin won with 230, second Marcus Jackson 227 (outdoor PB) and third Erik Kynard also 227. Australian Julian Wruck won the discus with personal best and world leading 66.01. In women events Brianna Rollins just barely missed huge 12.54 over the hurdles as the wind help was +2.1. Second Vashti Thomas 12.70. Windy also the 100 m by Kimberlyn Duncan 11.06 (+2.8) over Ashley Collier 11.15 and Ashton Purvis 11.20. In Invitational section Cleo Van Buren got 11.12 (+2.7) ahead of Porscha Lucas 11.13 and quarter-miler Natasha Hastings 11.24. In another race 2005 World Champion Lauryn Williams clocked 11.02 (+2.3) ahead of Chauntae Bayne 11.19 and long jumper Chelsea Hayes 11.21. Texas AM clocked world leading 42.56 at 4×100 m, in other race Elite Speed 42.97. In 4×400 m the same as University winners Florida got world leading 3:27.61 ahead of Texas 3:27.65, Texas AM 3:28.27 and Arkansas 3:28.42. World leads also in 4×200 m by men of Texas AM 1:20.78 and women of Texas 1:32.37.

NIGERIA WAS THE TOP NATION

WARRI (NGR, Mar 31): Host country Nigeria ended as the top nation at the end of 1st African Youth Championships with 13-10-12 medals. Second Egypt 8-6-2, third Ethiopia 6-13-6 and fourth Kenya 5-4-2, in total 16 countries got medals. Kenya’s reigning IAAF world junior champion, Daisy Jepkemei led a Kenyan 1-2 finish in the girls 2000m steeplechase clocking 6:24.52 seconds to win the gold ahead of stella Ruto 6:30.64 and bronze for Ethiopian Abera Bitew 6:42.18. In the girls high jump, Rhizilane Siba from Morocco cleared a solid height of 180. On the boys side Kenyan wins in 1500 m for Robert Biwott 3:41.96 over Tebikew Yenew of Ethiopia 3:43.84 and Abraham Tsegay of Eritrea 3:44.29. Biwott won on last day also the 800 m in very solid 1:47.01 ahead of Tsegay 1:47.89. In boys steeple Kenyan Edwin Meli topped the race in 5:42.18 over Ethiopians Kahsay Meresa 5:42.20 also and Kiro Hailemariam 5:45.50. Melly then was second in the 3000 m in 8:17.85 beaten by Awet Nftalem of Erirtea 8:17.28. Nigerian sprinters won the 200 m, Adewale Abewunmi in the girls race 24.13 (-0.8) and Divine Odudoru completed a double with 21.56 (-1.5). Ethiopian Olti Durets won girls 1500 m 4:27.61. Egyptian throwing boys wins for Mohamed Magdi in shot put 20.17 and Ahmed Sherif 60.46 in discus (youth implements). Mustafa Ramadan won the octathlon for Egypt with 5360 points.

ANGUILLA SPRINTER WINS THE 100 M

NASSAU (BAH, Mar 30): The famous Caribbean junior meet CARIFTA Games started with Zharnel Hughes of Anguilla (but trains with Racers TC in Jamaica) winning the expected junior 100 m final with 10.44
(-0.4). Second Jazeel Murphy of Jamaica 10.48 ahead of Tahir Walsh of Antigua 10.49 and second Jamaican Odail Todd 10.52. The youth 100 m winner was Mario Burke of Barbados 10.61 (+0.5). The top result of the day came from Machel Cedenio of Trinidad clocking 45.93 PB in the 400 m and beating Jamaican Jovanee Francis 46.00 and Bahamian Stephen Newbold 46.01 (but 45.94 in heats). Jamaica got the youth 400 m by Martin Manely 47.72. Jamaican throwing talent Fredrick Dacres won the discus with 61.27 (1.75 kg). In girls events home gold for junior sprinters Devynne Charlton 11.60 (-0.8) and Carmiesha Cox 11.61. Jamaica winner of youth 100 m was Natalliah Whyte 11.88 (+0.6, and 11.67 in heats). Former world junior champion Shaunae Miller won the girls 400 m for Bahamas in high quality 51.63 clearly over Jamaican Chris-Ann Gordon 53.22. Also here Jamaican youth gold for Tiffany James 55.13.

17-YEARS OLD 1:00:07 HM

PADERBORN (GER, Mar 30): 17-years old Eritrean Ghirmay Ghebreslassie who was 7th in junior race in Bydgoszcz last weekend won the 67th Paderborn Easter Run in fast new course record 1:00:07 at the half-marathon distance. Second Pius Ondoro 1:02:15 ahead of Ronald Kipkoech 1:02:52. Women winner was Kenyan Eunice Kioko 1:10:57 with more Kenyans on the podium Maryanne Wanjiru 1:11:09 and Alice Jekpemboi 1:11:11. 10km winners were Kenyans Richard Mengich 28:00 and Esther Chemtai 31:45 who defended her title in temperatures just slightly over zero degress. In podium places here Frederik Ngeny 28:02 and Elisha Kipchirchir 28:04 with James Gitahi 28:05. Top European was German Andre Pollmacher as 14th 28:51. On the women side second Lilian Jelagat 31:59 and third Ethiopian Eleni Gebrehiwot who lives in Germany in 32:12. Next European Lisa Hahner as 7th in 33:50. In total 9561 runners was new participation record.

I.   KOECH GREAT ROAD DEBUT

NEW ORLEANS (USA, Mar 30): Kenyan Olympic 5000 m finalist Isiah Koech won in his road debut the Allstate Sugar Bowl Crescent City Classic 10 km in fast 27:32. Second Lani Rutto 27:44. Koech set an unofficial world-record 8K time of 21:54 in the race. “I feel great. I’m happy I won the race,” Koech said. „But I was having great pressure today because I didn’t have a lot of experience in the road.” Local media are informing. The top 11 finishers were Kenyan males, the first time since 2009 an Ethiopian hadn’t won. Kenyan Allan Kiprono was third in 27:46. David Bett, the 2010 world junior 5000 m champion, finished fifth Saturday in 28:15. Alice Kimutai won the women category in 31:50 over Ethiopian steepler and silver winner from Bydgoszcz Hiwot Ayalew 32:06 and Poland´s Karolina Jarzynska 32:09.

OTHER NEWS

KINGSTON (JAM): After Ricky Simms also Yohan Blake´s agent Cubie Seegobin pointed out the agreement about the participation at London Anniversary Meet (part of Samsung Diamond League) is not yet finalised. In UK media informations appeared that Blake´s participation was confirmed. „I made the proposal for Yohan to compete in the 200m. We are nowhere close to any agreement or commitment,” said Seegobin.

LONDON (GBR): UK media are writing that British discus record holder Lawrence Okoye will be playing in the NFL. He still hopes return to athletics. The Briton who improved last year to record 68.24 is considered by as many as five leading NFL teams after an American Football trial in Georgia. He trained at Doyle Sports Performance in Atlanta. Okoye has a second trial next weekend in Dallas but, having discussed potential contracts and been invited for training sessions with NFL teams, he is convinced his immediate future lies in gridiron. If signed he would miss the Diamond League meets and mainly the World Championships in Moscow.

DONETSK (UKR): Last Friday marked the 100 days before the IAAF World Youth Championships in Donetsk. Count down of last 100 days was officially started at a press-conference with participation of Ukrainian minister of youth and sport Ravil Safiullin, Donetsk region governor Andriy Shishatskyy, Donetsk mayor Oleksandr Lukyanchenko, president of Ukrainian NOC and the IAAF vice-president Sergiy Bubka and FLAU’s president Ihor Hotsul. “We are in the final stage of preparation” said Mr. Lukyanchenko. “On April 27 we’re aiming to open the training stadium Kirovets. About 1000 volunteers are studying now to make professional support for all participants and guests of our championships.” Opening ceremony of championships will held at central square of Donetsk on July 9. Suslik Ostap was also presented at press-conference as official Mascot of future competitions.

TRACK RESULTS

BRON (FRA, Mar 30): World indoor record holder Teddy Tamgho returned to competition for first time since July 201
1 after right ankle injury. He had two surgeries and also after some mistakes also a trial where he defended himself. At Duboeuf Stadium he achieved on the blue track his mark was 16.76 (+2.0).

RALEIGH (USA, Mar 30): Jamaican Roxroy Cato clocked world leading 49.15 at 400 m hurdles during Raleigh Relays. 400 m runner David Verburg won the 200 m in 20.94 (+1.2). In women hurdles Barbados record holder Kierre Beckles got 13.09 (+2.0) over Cindy Ofili (younger sister of Tiffany Porter) 13.34 personal best. GW Express Nike team with Josh Scott, Jamal Torrance, Justin Boyd and Briton Michael Bingham got 3:05.66 in the 4×400 m.

JACKSONVILLE (USA, Mar 30): Bahamian relay olympic winner Michael Mathieu won the 200 m at the UNF Invitational with good 20.59 (+0.9) ahead of another olympic gold medalist from London Christian Taylor (triple jump) who clocked good personal best 20.70. Third Jamial Rolle of Bahamas 20.78.

RICHMOND (USA, Mar 30): Olympic relay winner Francena McCorory won the 400 m in 51.74 at the Fred Hardy Invitational. Millrose Games winner this winter Yvette Lewis opened with 13.33 (+0.9) her summer season. Dominic Berger posted 13.64 (-0.5) in men hurdles.

FAYETTEVILLE (USA, Mar 30): US junior pole vault record holder Andrew Irwin jumped over 565 at Razorback Spring Invitational. It is his third best result of the career. Estonian Marek Niit sprinted the 200 m in 20.83 (-0.1).

FORT COLLINS (USA, Mar 30): Olympic long jump medalist Janay De Loach Soukup tries the hurdles and won at Fum McGraw Invitational with 13.39 (-0.1). Her best from last year is 13.27.

WESTMONT (USA, Mar 30): Canadian Olympian and NCAA Champ in heptathlon Brianne Theisen got at Westmont Collegiate Classic two wins, 200 m in 24.13 (+1.0) and 100 m hurdles 13.41 (-0.8).

SAN ANTONIO (USA, Mar 29): Jamaican 400 m runner Patricia Hall improved at Tiger Relays her 100 m personal best to 11.47 (+1.4).

ATLANTA (USA, Mar 30): Torrin Lawrence won the 400 m at Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Invitational in 46.14 and was second in the 200 m with 20.89 (+0.4). Winner David Dickens clocked 20.83.

SZOMBATHELY (HUN, Mar 30): New Hungarian U18 national record in girls hammer with 3 kg implement by Helga Volgyi 72.39 m. Olympic gold medalist Krisztian Pars achieved with 14.5 kg weight throw 29.76 m.

SAO PAULO (BRA, Mar 30): Felipe Vinicius dos Santos scored 7550 in decathlon what is South American junior record.

CHENGDU (CHN, Mar 31): Lu Huihui showed again good javelin shape as she won with 63.47 the national long throws meet. Second Li Lingwei got 60.14. Asian record holder Zhang Wenxiu won the women hammer with 74.18 over Wang Zheng 72.46 PB. In men hammer Qi Dakai improved to 73.34. Informs Tilastopaja.

PATIALA (IND, Mar 31): Olympians Renjith Maheswary and Om Prakash Singh comfortably won their favourite triple jump 16.67 and shot put 18.12 events respectively in the first leg of Indian Grand Prix which held at Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports grounds.

OTHER RESULTS

TSYURUPYNSK (UKR, Mar 30-31): Junior Mariya Khodakivska showed the best result at 4 km women race during first day of Ukrainian national cross-country championships with 14:20 at 4 km. Viktoriya Pohorelska topped women senior race (14:21) and Hanna Dunkan won in U23 category (14:37). Pavlo Veretskyy finished first at the same men distance 12:24 ahead of steeple specialist Illya Sukharyev 12:27. Yehor Zhukov was fastest in U23 section 12:32. The only one under 20 minutes in junior 6 km was Vladyslav Honcharenko 19:58. During second day Viktoriya Pohorelska made a golden double when winning also the 8 km 29:40. Oleksandr Matviychuk clocked 31:01 as number one of men 10 km and Ivan Strebkov became the best in U23 category 32:42.

ATHENS (GRE, Mar 31): Konstantions Poulios won the 2n Athens Half Marathon and is also national champion in 1:09:07. Women winner Magdalini Gazea clocked 1:17:54.

MEGARA (GRE, Mar 30): Alexandros Papamichail topped the Greek 20 km walk championships in 1:26:25. Women winner Antigoni Drisbioti achieved 1:37:21. Fast 10 km for youth category as Zacharias Tsamoudakis was timed with 43:11 (he already had Donetsk standard before) and second Efstratios Kelepouris 44:46 got the Donetsk standard.

HORAZDOVICE (CZE, Mar 30): Milan Kocourek one week after running with world elite in Bydgoszcz won the Czech CC title at 10 km in 30:59 (for 6th time) clearly over Roman Rudolecky 31:14. Women 6.3 km winner was Lucie Sekanova in 22:06 for third time. Petr Vitner topped the milers at 3.775 km in 11:15.

OLOMOUC (CZE, Mar 30): Dawid Tomala of Poland improved to good 1:20:30 and won the Olomouc 20 km Walking Competition. He is now third best in Poland ever. Second Slovak Matej Toth 1:21:50 season best for the 50 km specialist and third another Poland walker Artur Brzozowski 1:22:20. In women 20 km also win for Poland by Paulina Buziak 1:31:43 ahead of Brigita Virbalyte of Lithuania 1:33:12. In women 10 km Agnieszka Szwarnog of Poland got 45:30 ahead of Slovak Maria Czakova 46:35 PB. Junior winner Czech Ondrej Motl achieved 45:31 at the 10 km, youth 5 km winners from Slovakia Miroslav Uradnik 21:34 and Radoslava Piliarova 25:39.

KISLOVODSK (RUS, Mar 30): At Russian CC Cup in Kislovodsk in 5 km Lyudmila Lebedeva won ahead of Svetlana Rayazantseva. Andrey Leyman was the top male runner.

WESTFIELD (USA, Mar 30): Aided by a tail wind and slightly downhill course, the men’s and women’s winners set personal bests for the Westfield 5K. Kenyan Simon Ndirangu of Kenya got 13:16 and New Zealand Olympian Kimberly Smith finished in 14:48. Ireland´s Alistair Cragg was second in 13:24, in women category second Amy Hastings in 15:44.

CAPE TOWN (RSA, Mar 30): Stephen Mokoka won the Old Mutual Two Oceans half marathon in 1:03:36 when top seven went under the course record. Second Lusapho April 1:03:40 and third Joel Mmone 1:03:45. In women category Ethiopian Biru Meseret Mengistu topped the field in 1:12:43. South African Rene Kalmer who was using the event as a final preparation for an assault on the Boston Marathon finished second in 1:14:45, with Irvette van Zyl third in 1:15:20. David Gatebe and Natalia Volgina provided the upset wins in 44th Old Mutual Two Oceans marathon held in gale force conditions around the Southern Cape. Gatebe clocked 3:08:54 and Volgina 3:38:38. A record field of almost 11 000 runners entered the 56 km ultra marathon.

AVILES (ESP, Mar 31): At the 26th road mile Juan Carlos Higuero won in 4:23 ahead of Carlos Garcia 4:24. In women race Solanje Pereira was the best in 4:58.

TARSUS (TUR, Mar 31): Kenyan Moses Too won the 9th Tarsus Half Marathon in 1:03:58. Second Ethiopian Wabi Goytabi 1:04:15 and third Tilahun Aliyev of Azerbaijan 1:04:28. Ummu Kiraz was the female winner in 1:12:56.

INCHEON (KOR, Mar 31): Kenyan Paul Korir won the Incheon Half Marathon in 1:02:14 in one second over Kimosop Kiprono 1:02:15 and Mutai Kipkemoi 1:02:54. Best home runner Baik Seung Ho was 5th in 1:04:05.

CORRECTION

AUSTIN (USA): Barber’s 571 in the pole vault doesn’t tie the North American junior record. It was broken last year by USA’s Andrew Irwin with 572. Barber’s 571 is equal fifth on the junior all time list. It also improved the Canadian senior record (previously 561).