by Larry EderThe U.S. Olympic Trials were again stunning in day 2. After Tyson Gay misjudges a finish line, he sets an AR coasting ten meters in a 100 meters in 9.77! Usain Bolt, racing in Jamacia, takes Powell, 9.85 to 9.97!
More on the women’s 100 meters and men’s shot to come!
EME NEWS (JUNE 28, 2007)
US OLYMPIC TRIALS: Lee wins the 100 m, Hoffa the Shot Put, Gay US record at 100 m
EUGENE (USA, June 28): The women’s 100 metres final was during second day of US Olympic Trials an exciting blanket finish won by Muna Lee in a PB 10.85 (+1.0). Running hard behind her was Torri Edwards in 10.90, followed by Lauryn Williams in the same time. For the second time today, a bad start was the undoing of Marshevet Hooker. Although she came from far back to win her semifinal section, she was not able to run herself onto the Olympic team after coming away from the start slowly in the final. Hooker placed fourth in 10.93, ahead of the 10.96 of Allyson Felix (“I´m disappointed,” she was quoted). The semifinal round saw Edwards run a world-leading 10.78 (+1.8, PB and 8th fastest performer ever and fastest since 2004) after having been charged with a false start. The other race was won by Hooker with windy 10.89 (+3.2). Eliminated in Edwards semi was Osaka bronze holder Carmelita Jeter despite her sub 11 PB in quarterfinals as fifth 11.05 along with world indoor champion 2006 Melisa Barber (11.07).
The men’s shot put was the high-class event that all expected, as Reese Hoffa won the title with second best in the world this year 22.10. The world champion had assumed the lead in the fifth round as Christian Cantwell had briefly moved to the top with 21.24. Hoffa’s 21.94 took over the lead for good, as Cantwell’s final 21.71 was not enough to steal the win. Despite having the world-leading throw of the season (22.12), Adam Nelson finished in third at 20.89, as Dan Taylor came aggravatingly close in fourth with 20.80.
After finishing the first day of the heptathlon with a substantial lead, Hyleas Fountain continued her assault on personal records, finding two more (for a total of five) to end the competition with a PB 6667, the best score in the world for this year. Fountain led off the long jump with a 6.88—an excellent jump even for a normal long jump competition—and added a 48.15 in the javelin before circling the track twice in the 800 metres in a leisurely last-place 2:27.69. NCAA Champion Jacquelyn Johnson’s PB 6347 took second place, while Diana Pickler won a tense battle with Gi-Gi Johnson by only ten points for the final Olympic team place, 6257 to 6247.
The quarterfinal round of the men’s 100 metres provided a chance for Tyson Gay to redeem himself after a mental blunder almost removed him from the competition). Exploding from the blocks, the current world champion pushed forward for the entire 100 metres and ended with an American record 9.77, breaking Maurice Greene’s 9.79 clocking from 1999. “After the first round, I was scared. I almost started crying as soon as I crossed the line because I thought I didn’t make it. I was pretty nervous, but this round I ran through the line. I eased up a little bit. I had my arms in here so I wasn’t trying to exert too much energy. I eased up a little bit, but I’m not worried about the record. I thank God that I was able to run a PR, but that’s what I want to do in the finals,” Gay was quoted at USATF website.
Following Gay into the tape was 18-year-old Jeff Demps in 10.01, equaling the world junior record set by Darrel Brown of Trinidad in the Paris World Championships. It also broke the existing US high school record of 10.08 by J-Mee Samuels from 2005. Ironically, Samuels was in the same heat with Demps and finished in a non-qualifying seventh with 10.09. The same 10.09 by 200 m Olympic winner Shawn Crawford what was the fastest non-qualifying time. The other two heats produced a deluge of sub-10 times, with wins going to Travis Padgett and Darvis Patton, both 9.89. Others dipping under ten seconds were Ivory Williams (9.94), Rodney Martin (9.95) and Mark Jelks (9.95). For all great personal bests. Curiously, all three heats had aiding winds of +1.6.
The first round of the men’s 100 metres held earlier in the afternoon, led by Walter Dix’s 9.96 in the first heat, saw some intrigue in the final section. Current world champion Gay was enjoying a margin of about two metres at the 80m mark, and he appeared confident enough to coast into the finish. Suddenly, Gay had to reaccelerate when others began passing him, as Rodney Martin (10.10) crossed the line first. Fortunately for Gay, a fourth-place finish at 10.14 was enough to automatically advance. Xavier Carter, running in the Gay’s heat, placed fifth with the same time and advanced only by time. Patton (10.04) and Padgett (10.06) were the other heat winners. Fastest non-qualifiers were Preston Perry and Evander Wells, both 10.28.
Morgan Uceny (2:02.10) and Hazel Clark (2:02.14) sprinted home almost together and posted the top times in the women’s 800 metres. Alice Schmidt won the other heat in 2:03.27, a section marred by a collision just after 200 metres. Four runners were involved in a pileup and they all fell to the track. Only one runner—Athens team member Nicole Teter—made a valiant effort to get back into the race. All four women involved in the collison–Teter, Becky Horn, Latavia Thomas and Kameisha Bennett–will be in the final. So, there will be 12 in the final on Monday evening.
Khadevis Robinson paced four runners to a tight finish in the first heat of the men’s 800 metres. Leading from gun to tape, the veteran runner clocked 1:46.14 as Andrew Wheating’s signature outside-lane final kick brought him to second in 1:46.23. Duane Solomon did almost the same in the second heat, leading for most of the way but giving way in the final run-in to Nick Symmonds (1:45.61) before finishing second (1:45.82). Lopez Lomong, attempting a 800-1500 double here, grabbed one of the final spots with 1:46.02 for fourth, the same time recorded by Christian Smith in third.
Current world champion Kerron Clement ruled the men’s 400 hurdles semifinals with 48.20. He was challenged at the end by Reuben McCoy (48.37, PB). Bershawn Jackson won the second heat in 48.63, ahead of the fast finish of 19-year-old Johnny Dutch (48.71). Another junior, Jeshua Anderson, fell out of the competition with his fifth-place 48.92. Anderson will now turn his attention to the World Junior Championships starting in ten days’ time in Bydgoszcz, Poland. A pair of world championship silver medallists—James Carter from Helsinki and Joey Woody from Paris—bade farewell with 49.45 and 50.34, respectively in sixth and eighth.
Tiffany Ross-Williams put on a determined finish to clock 54.75 and lead the finalists in the women’s 400 hurdles. Finishing behind the US champion was Lashinda Demus (55.70). Sheena Tosta similarly put on a strong kick at the end of her heat for a 54.95 semifinal victory.
Current American champion Dana Pounds had the best qualifying mark in the women’s javelin with 57.25, more than three metres ahead of American-record holder Kim Kreiner (54.07) who is returning to form after elbow surgery.
JAMAICAN TRIALS: Bolt clearly over Powell, four women sub 10.90
KINGSTON (JAM, June 28): The highly anticipated 100 m final here saw world record holder holder Usain Bolt toyed with his predecessor, Asafa Powell, who, off to a good start, led the field to 75 metres, but the Bolt train eased past him, shut the systems down, and cruised to an almost pedestrian, by his standards, 9.85 (-0.1) for the win, gently tapping his chest and looking around for Powell, as he crossed the line. Powell was next in 9.97, and 2005 WC silver medalist, Michael Frater, in third spot in 10.04 SB with Marvin Anderson fourth (10.11). “We just went out there to qualify. We got out fast because we had to run the first part of the race and this was the interesting part of it ,but the aim was just to qualify. We are good friends. I have been telling everyone that it won’t be clash here. We just came to qualify for the Olympics and I guess the crowd was a little disappointed with this,” Bolt said. “I m pleased with my run, did not push too much. I m coming off an injury, so have enough time to improve, the most important was to qualify today. I m following myself and my body. Bolt is running very well. I heard about 9.77 of Tyson Gay in US so I think when we three meet together some serious fireworks could be expected,” Powell was quoted. Top contender and yet another MVP man, Nesta Carter, had the door of the Beijing aircraft ”slammed shut in his face”, as he DNS’ed in the final, caused, arguably, by what could have been an ill-advised brisk personal best of 10.04 to win his semi final – the time, way ahead of the rest who were conserving for the final with controlled runs (Powell 10.30 and Bolt 10.40).
In one of the greatest 100m races for all time – four ladies sub 10.90 – the reigning world champion, Veronica Campbell-Brown, ran her season best, yet failed to make the trio to run individually in Beijing. Kerron Stewart out of the Auburn University Elite Crew, coached by Bahamian National, Henry Rolle, and looking a woman of superior strength, languished in the middle of the field for most of the race but a late surge took her home in an outstanding personal record of 10.80 (+0.7), the second fastest Jamaican ever after Merlene Ottey 10.74, set in 1996, as a 36 year old. Behind her was Shelly-Ann Fraser, a MVP athlete, her time reflecting an astounding improvement in 10.85 over less than a year, remembering that coming into the 2008 season, her best effort stood at a paltry 11.31. Sherone Simpson, her 2006 supremacy, seeming like light years away, announced her certain return to striking form with her 10.87 for third, having been the fastest out of the semis, where she won heat 2 in 11.08, and VC holding on to a possible relay spot, took fourth in the final (10.88SB). Completing the top six were Sheri-Ann Brooks (11.17) and the ever faithful, Aleen Bailey (11.22).
The old warhorse, at 36 years young, Athens ”04 silver medalist, Danny McFarlane, still hungry for success, dismantled the 400 m Hurdles field to win in 48.64, his fourth sub-49 for the year. The up and coming star, Isa Phillips was second in 49.08 and MVP man, Markino Buckley, third 49.14. Old stager, Ian Weakley, the 2001 champion, and fifth here in 49.77 announced his retirement with a moving speech after the race.
Favourite, MVP girl, Melaine Walker, obliged with the win in 54.58, and will be joined on the Beijing charter by US collegiate, and Osaka WC fourth placer, Nickiesha Wilson, second with 54.74, and Shevonne Stoddart, third with 54.88.
Steeplechasers, Mardrea Hyman (4:21.00) and Korene Hinds (4:23.20) warmed up for their event ending first and second at 1500 m.
It was a two heat affair in women´s 400 m semifinals, with four to advance to the final, and running the fastest time was Florida University-based, back to back national champion over the last two years, and 2007 World Champs bronze medal winner, Novlene Williams, taking heat 2 in 50.62, ahead of Osaka relay silver medalist, Shereefa Lloyd (50.84) with the Stephen Francis, MVP girl, and 2005 national champion, Shericka Williams, topping heat 1 with 50.69 and ”new kid on the block”, the Maurice Wilson-coached, Rosemarie Whyte, next in 51.26. Other finalists were Moya Thompson (51.47), Anastasia Leroy (51.94), schoolgirl, Bobby Gaye Wilkins (50.87), a massive personal best – the last two named taking orders from Maurice Wilson, and Kaliese Spencer, also from MVP (51.15).
Fastest qualifier to the final of men´s 400 m was Florida State University-based, Ricardo Chambers, taking the first heat in 45.33 4/100th of a second shy of his season best of 45.29, next in line came Lanceford Spence, the 2004 champion, who trailed Chambers in the heat and clocked 45.73, a 2008 best. Other automatic qualifiers were Michael Blackwood (45.79) and schoolster, Riker Hylton (46.20PB) from heat 2, plus Sanjay Ayre (46.22) and Marvin Essor (46.40), coming out of the third and final heat.
Slesarenko 202
EBERSTADT (GER, June 28): Russia’s Olympic champion Yelena Slesarenko had an impressive season’s opening in Eberstadt where she won with 202 cm during the 30th jubilee special High Jump Meeting. German Ariane Friedrich showed that she can constantly clear two meters this season and came second with 200 cm. Vita Palamar from Ukraine and Ruth Beitia from Spain shared rank three with 195. Men´s competition will be held on Sunday.
Turkish 100 m Hurdles record in Istanbul
ISTANBUL (TUR, June 28): At 63rd Cezmi Or Memorial (European Athletics Permit meeting) at Enka Stadium in Istanbul home hurdler Nevin Yanit equalled her national record from last year in Rethymno at 100 m Hurdles with 12.76 (+0.9). That was the best result of the meet held in nice and sunny weather. In total 220 athletes from 22 countries competed and best male result was the huge improvement of 23-years old Ukrainian Andriy Makarchev in Long Jump to 813 (+0.9). That was also one of the four new meeting records. Second Bulgarian Boris Bozhinov also good (806, +1.8). Sprint doubles for Bulgarian champion Inne Eftimova (11.37 and 23.34) and Ukrainian Dmytro Hluschenko (10.43 and meet record 21.04). High quality women steeple meet record by Ukrainian Valentyn Gorpnych (9:33.80) with three other runners clocking sub 9:50 (Ancuta Bobocel of Romania 9:41.08, Dobrinka Shalamanova of Bulgaria 9:43.32 and British Jo Ankier 9:47.28). 18-years old home Merve Aydin won the women 800 m in great PB 2:01.28 and will be one of the favorites for Bydgoszcz. Bulgarian Tsvetelina Kirilova got the 400 m Hurdles (56.46) ahead of best home athlete in this event Ozge Gurler (56.65). Romanian world discus leader Nicoleta Grasu won her event (61.64) ahead of Cuban world medalist Yarelis Barrios (61.46). Kazakhstan´s Olga Rypakova produced very good triple jump meet record 14.50 (+1.5). On the men side home favorite Halil Akkas lost the 1500 m (3:44.43) to Ukrainian Mykola Labovsky (3:44.16). British Richard Yates broke 50 seconds at 400 m Hurdles for first time in his career (49.58) to win. Belarus Pavel Lyzhyn achieved excellent 20.78 in Shot Put and home national record holder Esref Apak won the hammer (76.72).
Chambers 10.06, Holzdeppe equals world junior record
BIBERACH (GER, June 28): Sensational Raphael Holzdeppe rocked Biberach today with World Junior record. The 18-year-old German cleared the same height – 5,80m – as Russia’s Maxim Tarasov 19 years ago. Only World indoors champion Yevgeniy Lukyanenko from Russia was better today with also 5,80m – he tried the 6,00m in vein. Holzdeppe is now the favorite for the German championships and might have a new aim for 2008 apart from Bydgoszcz gold medal: the Olympic Games. Bjoern Otto cleared the qualification standard of 5,70m in his second attempt. Germany’s Tobias Unger finally ran the 100m qualification standard a second time with 10,22s. Highly observed Great Britain’s Dwain Chambers crossed the finish line after 10,06 (+0.7 and 10.14 in heats) and equalled the second best european time of the year of his countrymate Tyrone Edgar. His Olympic participation is not possible (for the moment). Russian Olympic champion Yuriy Borzakovskiy won the 800m in his characteristic manner – from behind – and clocked impressive European leading 1:44,81 before German Robin Schembera with 1:45,66 who missed the standard of 1:45,50. Not satisfied at all was World champion Betty Heidler with her technique in the hammer competition – she came second with 71,76m behind Poland’s Anita Wlodarczyk (72,80m). Kathrin Klaas and Andrea Bunjes achieved 69,27m and 67,16m respectively. Alexander Kosenkow crossed the finish line after 200m in 20,63s. The hurdles were won by European indoors champion Gregory Sedoc from the Netherlands in 13,56s and Russia’s Tatyana Dektyareva in 12,84s. Surprise winner in the women’s long jump: Karin Mey from South Africa landed at 6,81m in her last attempt in front of Lyudmila Kolchanova from Russia (6,68m) and German Bianca Kappler (6,45m). Ofentse Mogawane from South Africa clocked 45,67s in the 400m event. Vida Anim from Ghana is the name of the winner in the 100m (11,22s, second Laura Turner of Great Britain 11.29) and 200m event (23,18s). German Verena Sailer achieved a new season’s best with 11,36s and showed that her shape is improving.
OTHER RESULTS
GOTHA (GER, June 28): At the shot put special meeting in Gotha Olympic silver medallist Nadine Kleinert from Germany showed a world class performance with 19,74m. Second came her compatriot Denise Hinrichs with 18,79m. The only man to get over 20 meters was European champion Ralf Bartels from Germany with 20,01m
SUZHOU (CHN, June 28): Second day of the Chinese Olympic Trials brought a bit better results than during 1st rainy day in Jiangsu province. The place in the Olympic team is now secured for the 20-year-old Zhou Yang, the 2006 World Junior champion. She won the women’s Pole Vault with a new PB 4.45m. Zhou is the third athlete in this event to compete at the Olympics, as she will be joined in the Olympic squad by Asian record holder (4.64m 2007) Gao Shuying and 18-year-old Li Ling. Two long jumpers managed to pass 8 meters: 19-year-old Weng Yongfeng added four centimeters to his PB winning with 8.09m and was first ahead of very close Sun Xiongfeng with 8.08m personal best. In the women’s 3000m Steeplechase five Chinese athletes have achieved the A-standard and only three can compete. 17-year-old Zhao Yanni won with a personal best 9:43.60 ahead of Asian record holder Liu Nian (9:50.92). Xie Limei won the women’s Triple Jump with a 14.07m jump and also got a seat to Beijing. The national record holder Qi Haifeng came back to win the Decathlon with 7801 points and will also perform at the Olympics. The best Chinese sprinters are competing in the Asian Grand Prix meetings looking to qualify for the Beijing relays.
NAIROBI (KEN, June 28): Pamela Jelimo, the new 800m Kenyan sensation, improved her 400m personal best to 52.78 from her 54.93 in 2007 but had to settle for second as Elizabeth Muthoka confirmed her impressive result from the heat, claiming victory in a time of 51.56 Saturday, on the third day of the Kenyan championships. Edward Muge dominated the men’s 10,000m in 27:52.09 ahead of Geoffrey Mutai (28:01.74) and Peter Mumoki (28:07.44) while Penina Chepchumba just edged Pascalia Chepkorir in the women’s 5000m (15:56.05 to 15:56.48). 2007 World Championships 1500m fourth placer Asbel Kiprop had to settle for fourth in the 800m in 1:47.64 while Edwin Letting and Justus Koech were given the same time of 1:47.28. The steeplechase events were dominated by Patrick Langat (8:19.63) and Regina Jerotich (10:05.94) while Vincent Mumo took the first place in the 400m, clocking 45.46.
GOTEBORG (SWE, June 28): Finish World 2005 bronze medalist Tommi Evilä set a new Finnish record in the men’s Long Jump). At “Varldsungdomsspelen” he achieved 822 (+1.0) and improved his own mark from 2005 by 3 cm. World Indoor Champion Godfrey Mokoena of South Africa got 806 (+1.3) as second. High jumper Linus Thornblad started the season with good 228 cm after injuries stopped his preparation after the indoor season.
KLADNO (CZE, June 28): World champion Barbora Spotakova is competing now very often and also won her event with 61.39 during third round of Czech Clubs League. She was also fifth in shot put (13.81) which was won by Jana Karnikova (17.05). Helsinki discus medalist Vera Cechlova won her event with 60.22 and Slovakian hammer record holder Martina Hrasnova was this time under 70 metres (69.92). Slovak 800 m European leader Lucia Klocova controlled the 800 m (2:04.85) and triple jumper Martina Sestakova came close to Olympic qualifier with 13.99 (+3.8) and 13.95 (+1.3). She beat for first time this year Slovak record holder Dana Veldakova (13.96) who came after very early flight from Lille. In the men competition Svatoslav Ton after clearing 221 tried for three times the Olympic norm 230 and one of the attempts was very close. Roman Novotny confirmed his good shape with 798 in Long Jump and Slovak 800 m specialist Jozef Repcik improved his 400 m PB to 46.95.
EUROPEAN CUP COMBINED EVENTS – 1ST DAY SUMMARY
HENGELO (NED): Belarus Andrey Kravchenko clearly leads the Super League with 4413 points (10.98-768-14.22PB-213-48.17) ahead of Estonian Anders Raja (4233) and home athlete Ingmar Vos (4035). Favorite team of Belarus is heading the team competition (12 666) with huge margin before Estonia (12 071) and Netherlands (11 693). In Heptathlon Hanna Melnychenko of Ukraine has the best score of 3759 (13.28-178-13-77-24.39) having 69 points advantage over home Jolanda Keizer (3690) and another Ukrainian Lyudmyla Yosypenko (3589). Ukraine leads with 10 791 over Russia 10 467 and France 10 276. In all terms the best scores here after first day.
JYVASKYLA (FIN): Ukrainian Oleksiy Kasyanov leads the decathlon here with solid 4233 (10.67-735-13.86-195-47.74) but his team is second to Sweden (11 850-11 743). Best Swede Nicklas Wiberg is second (4107). Third team in men First League fights is Great Britain (11 565) with Daniel Awde beeing also third individually overnight (3990). Osaka sixth placer Austra Skujyte of Lithuania clearly leads heptathlon with 3683 (14.46-181-16.60-25.85) before Sweden´s Jessica Samuelsson (3578) and Italian Francesca Doveri (3505). Italy leads the teams (10 234) ahead of Finland (9968) and Sweden (9899) and Belarus only fourth (9818).
MARIBOR (SLO): In the Second League decathlon individual leader is Slovak Slaven Dizdarevic with 4114 points as his team is not competing. Latvian Edgars Erins is second (4029) and Swiss David Gervasi third (3999). Latvia is leading the teams and aiming for promotion with 11 781 (that would be second place in the first league after first day) ahead of Switzerland (11 660) and Greece (11 204). Latvian Aiga Grabuste leads heptathlon (3492) ahead of two Spanish athletes Maria Peinado (3388) and Cristina Barcena (3358). Only three teams are competing and Spain leads (9955) ahead of Latvia (9406) and home Slovenia (7925).
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