by Larry EderThis was not supposed to be a “good” world indoors, in fact, it was a superb indoors. The athletes who showed up performed fantastically in front of a very appreciative crowd. The US team, which was thought of as put together, was, in fact, one of our best ever, with 18 medals, ten of them gold.
The world records in the multi events were superb, but also consider the Long jumping of Brittney Reese, Janay De Loach and Shara Proctor. Both American and British National records!
Ashton Eaton, 2012 World Indoors, photo by PhotoRun.net
Bernard Lagat, in the shape of his life, defended his 3,000m title and dusted the best in the world! Pamela Jelimo and Yelena Isinbayeva both winning titles, when many thought they had seen their better days!
Mauro Da Silva, 2012 World Indoors, photo by PhotoRun.net
Who would have thought about a men’s long jump being decided by a centimeter? Who would have thought of a women’s high jump at 1.98m? Who would have thought that Kirani James would learn some lessons in indoor running? And who would have thought that shot put super man David Storl would be upset by Ryan Whiting? Ryan’s 22 meter throw now gives us a new generation of American shot putters to worship.
Ryan Whiting, 2012 World Indoors, photo by PhotoRun.net
A facility built in Istanbul in fifteen months, the Akoyoy Stadium was excellent, and the Turkish crowd (lots of Brits & Greeks too!), loved the athletes. Great cheers rang out in many of the races, and of course, the Turkish host won two medals, one in the 1,500m women (bronze), and one in the men’s 1,500 ( silver), kept the fans very happy. Honestly the biggest cheers came when the young Greek high jumper took gold.
The British team took nine medals and beat the US women’s 4 x 400m in a exquisitely tough relay battle, one of the highlights of the meet. The men’s US team, saw that one, and made sure the GBR team did not win again. Be forewarned USA, GBR means business in London, but, hey, you already know that.
Dobrynska, Ennis, 2012 World Indoors, photo by PhotoRun.net
The heptathlon was tight, too close to call. yet, Dobrynska and Ennis showed poise and respect for each other. That is the way most of our athletes are, it is what makes our sport so different. The challenge is, how do we sell that? How do we make others see that our sport of track & field has all the competition, and more that they could want?
We sure hope that Istanbul adds an indoor meeting for the circuit! Great facility, wonderfully historic city, and memorable World Indoors!
Special thanks to Gary Morgan for his help and support in Istanbul, during the World Indoor champs. Watch for the Gary and Larry Show, on RunningNetwork.com and Michigan Runner in the coming week!
400 Meter: Brenes runs in the fast lane
This race was very surprising in many ways. First, no Americans made the final. Perhaps it was the two rounds in one day, none the less, the rounds were not that fast and Gil Roberts and Calvin Smith did not get into the finals.
Next, Kirani James, the 19 year old phenom who won the 2011 World Indoors had been looking quite tentative in the first two rounds. He ran a 46.04, finishing second to Nery Brenes of Costa Rico, who, along with defending champ Chris Brown of Bahamas and Demetrius Pinder, had looked quite good. Pinder had run 45.94 to win the first semi and Chris Brown had run 46.37 to win the slowest semi. Nery Brenes, full of running had run 46.01, with James behind.
The final was a lesson in 400 meter indoor running. Nery Brenes, Demetrius Pinder, Chris Brown, Tabarie Henry, and Pavel Maslak went out hard, as did Kirani James. James, being in the outside lane, and new to indoor running was just pummeled.
Nery Brenes of Costa Rica gave his country its first World Indoor medal, and he deserved it with his brave front running. Brenes took first in 45.11, a championship record. Demetrius Pinder of the Bahamas, took the silver in 45.34, his seasonal best. Chris Brown, of the Bahamas, took the bronze, in 45.90, a first time for Bahamas to take two medals in an event.
Tabarie Henry of the Virgin Islands ran 45.96 for fourth place. Pavel Maslak, the only European, was fifth in 46.19 and Kirani James, who just had the bad luck of an inside lane (1) and lack of experience, finished sixth place.
Men’s 400 meters: 1. Nery Brenes, CRC, 45.11, CR, 2. Demetrius Pinder, BAH, 45.34, SB, 3. Chris Brown, BAH, 45.90, SB, 4. Taberie Henry, ISV, 45.96, 5. Pavel Maslak, CZE, 46.19, 6. Kirani James, GRN, 46.21
Men’s 800 meters; the Runner stumbles
Mohammed Aman, photo by PhotoRun.net
Wow! That is the first thing I have to say about this race. This was not a good race for the two fastest runners in the world.
First, Marcin Lewandowski of Poland fell in his semi-final, as there was some serious congestion as Michael Rutt of the USA hit the 400 meter sin 54.25 and took the lead from Jan Van Den Broeck of Belgium. Lewandowski went down and sat on the track. The Polish team filed a complaint but it did not change the outcome, as one Polish 800 meter stud was out.
Then, Adam Kszczot, the fast 800 meter runner in the world, just had a bad day. Perhaps he was tired from his fast racing, perhaps he should have taken his own advice and not run. In any case, the pace in the final was so slow that Adam Kszczot of Poland took the lead, hitting 29.29 for the 200 meters, 56.29 for 400 meters and 1:22.56 for 600 meters. He was, in fact, a sitting duck.
Michael Rutt has sat on Jakub Holusa of the Czech Republic, with Mohammed Aman of Ethiopia just drooling, waiting for the right time to move.
Mohammed Aman waited until 700 meters, and he just jumped Kszczot and took off, like a bat out of hell. Adam Kszczot was stunned, and stayed in second as Jakub Holusa and now Britian’s Andrew Osagie, who had been no worse that fourth, saw his chance. Holusa runs like a wrestler, short efficient stride. Truth is, Jakub Holusa kept himself out of trouble the entire race, running for a medal, and he brought his country a silver.
First Holusa went by with fifty to go and just churned his way to the silver. Andrew Osagie, one of GBR’s fine 800 runners, made his move as Kszczot collapsed, thirty meters out.
Mohammed Aman gave Ethiopia their first 800 meter medal in the World Indoors, running 1:48.36. Jakub Holusa sprinted his way to the silver, running 1:48.62. Andrew Osagie of Great Britain had the entire twitter community in UK going nuts, as half of the country cheered on the young Brit has he charged to the bronze in 1:48.92.
Adam Kszczot took fourth in 1:49.16, collapsing to the track, holding his head in his hands. It was not a good day for the young Polish middle distance runner, who is normally a force in any race he sees to run.
The last lap was run in 52.07, and last 200 meters, where the race was run, in scintillating 24.8!
Men’s 800 meters: 1. Mohammed Aman, ETH, 1:48:36, 2. Jakub Holusa, CZE, 1:48.62, 3. Andrew Osagie, GBR, 1:48.92, 4. Adam Kcszczot, POL, 1:49.16, 5. Jan van Den Broeck, BEL, 1:50.83, 6. Michael Rutt, USA, 1:51.47
Men’s 3000m: The Bernard Lagat Show
Bernard Lagat told the media afterwards that the race ” went to plan.” At 37 years of age, Bernard Lagat will go into London as a definite medal favorite and perhaps the prohibitive favorite. It is truly hard to beat the guy. Mo Farah is one of the few who has
gotten him in a sprint.
Augustine Choge, photo by PhotoRun.net
Lagat focused on this race along this season. He took second in the US Open mile at MSG, running 4:01.38 on January 28. Two weeks later, he ran 13:07.15 for 5,000m for a new AR in the Armory at the Millrose Games, on February 11. On February 18, he ran 3:36.20 for 4th at 1,500m at the AVIVA Birmingham GP. We shared a taxi back to the airport and he told me, ” I am ready.” Two weeks later, at the US Indoor champs, Bernard Lagat broke Lopez Lomong with a 25.9 second last 200 meters, running
7:47 at altitude. He was ready.
Edwin Soi, photo by PhotoRun.net
In the semi finals, Bernard finished in third, running on the inside of lane one, having to slide his foot along the inside barrier of the track, and then setting his foot down on the track. ” Not everyone could have done that, ” noted Bernard. Hell, most people would be
walking around in a cast right now.
Mo Farah, photo by PhotoRun.net
Coach Joe Vigil said it best. A few years ago, he noted that Bernard Lagat is so good in racing because of the “fluidity of his racing style.” So true. Lagat is most dangerous near the finish, as he does not make mistakes often.
Augustine Choge, one of Kenya’s top distance marvels, took the lead and just put the pace in honest land, hitting the 1,000 meters in 2:38.45. Right behind him, Mo Farah,
Edwin Soi, Mo Farah, Lopez Lomong. They passed the 1,600 meters in 4:14.
The pace was strong, Edwin Cheruiyot Soi took the second kilometer, and hit the 2,000 meters in 5:16.92 ( a 2:38 second kilometer).
Mo Farah took over the pace, at just over six minutes and began his long drive to the finish, the pace was moved down to four minute mile pace, as some of the guys started to drop off the back. Farah, Choge, Soi, Lomong, Gebremeskel, Lomong were all there.
Mo Farah ran the next half mile in just about two minutes. Fast, but not enough to break the field. Soi, Choge and Lagat were there. Choge and Soi went by Farah, with Lagat right there, with 200 meters to go. The last lap was hit in 7:15.7. The race was on.
Bernard Lagat took the lead one hundred, fifty meters out and made some day light, but kept churning away, as Augustine Choge, Edwin Soi and Mo Farah looked inseparable.
Bernard Lagat sprinted down the final stretch, with Augustine Choge and Edwin Soi in hot pursuit. Mo Farah moved into lane three and charged down the track, eating up the distance between Choge, Soi and him. But, it was too late. The final finish was determined.
Bernard Lagat, photo by PhotoRun.net
The final positions: Lagat in gold, Choge in silver, Soi in bronze. A British protest had the medalist verklemped for about a half hour, but the protest was thrown out. Mo Farah stayed fourth, and Lagat, Choge and Soi took the medals.
It was a physical race, so what? That is international distance running. And, the battle over the 5,000m in London has become even more complicated.
Men’s 3,000m: 1. Bernard Lagat, USA, 7:41.44, SB, 2. Augustine Choge, 7:41.77, Kenya, 3. Edwin Soi, Kenya, 7:41.78, 4. Mo Farah, GBR, 7:41.79, 5. Dejen Gebremeskel, ETH, 7:42.60, 6. Lopez Lomong, USA, 7:44.16, PB. 7. Moses Kipsiro,Uganda, 7:44.59, 8. Arne Gabius, GER, 7:45.01, 9. Yenew Alamirew, ETH, 7:45.15, Yoann Kowal, FRA, 7:47.81, 11. Craig Mottram, AUS, 7:48.23, 12. Elroy Gelant, RSA, 7:48.64
Men’s 60m hurdles
The 60 meter hurdles is a tough race. Really a start and several hurdles, and the race is over.
Liu Xiang, photo by Photorun.net
The 2007 World Champ, Liu Xiang of China, is fully healed. He took the silver in 2011 World Outdoors, many thought he should have won, but such is life. Liu Xiang ran against Dayron Robles in AVIVA Birmingham on Feb. 18, and won, running a world leading 7.41.
Aries Merritt has been one of the wonderfully talented American hurdlers for several years. He has won the World Junior title, and has come oh so close in the past, but this time was different.
Getting the best start he has had in years, Aries Merritt just hurdled his heart out, keeping his lead and giving Liu Xiang, who is a slow starter, too much room to make up. In the end, Aries Merritt took his first gold medal in a World Championships, running 7.44. Liu Xiang took the silver in 7.47. Pascal Martinot-Lagarde of France took the bronze in 7.53, his PB. Andrew Pozzi, of Great Britain, who had run his PB in the rounds, (7.56), ran 7.58 for the fourth place.
Aries Merritt, 2012 World Indoors, photo by PhotoRun.net
In the end, Aries Merritt, who told the media ” I am very happy”, had lots to be happy about. One of the many great American hurdlers stood out, and defeated Lui Xiang with it!
Men’s 60m hurdles: 1. Aries Merritt, USA, 7.44, 2. Liu Xiang, China, 7.49, 3. Pascal Martinot Lagarde, FRA, 7.53, PB, 4. Andrew Pozzi, GBR, 7.58, 5. Konstantin Shabanov, RUS, 7.60, 6. Emanuele Abate, ITA, 7.63, 7. Lehann Fourie, RSA, 7.69,
Artur Noga, POL, 7.74.
Men’s High Jump: Hellas!
Dimitrios Chodrokoukis, photo by PhotoRun.netWell, this was a local favorite. Greek jumper Dimitrios Chodrokoukis had one of the loudest cheering sections as he won this World Indoor Champs duking out some of the best high jumpers in the world.
Dmitirios Chodrokoukis had a good series. He cleared 2.20m on his first, 2.24 on his first, and took two to clear 2.28m. At 2.31m, he took two attempts to clear. His first attempt clearance of 2.33m was the gold medal performance of the night. He did make three attempts at 2.35m, but no worries, he had won already!
Andrey Silnov of Russia, always a superb jumper, was the silver medalist. His series was 2.20m, 2.24m and 2.28m first attempt clearances. Silnov took two attempts at 2.31m, and two attempts at 2.32m. His three attempts at 2.35 m were not successful.
As the only other jumper to clear 2.32m, Silnov took the silver on the base of his second attempt clearance.
Ivan Ukhov, the Russian who looks like he plays lead guitar in Aerosmith, or, maybe the James gang, was the bronze medalist. Ukhov’s series was a bit more colorful. He had a first attempt clearance on 2.20m, took two to clear 2.24m. Then, first attempts at 2.28m and 2.31m were successful. His three attempts at 2.33m were just that, attempts. Uhkhov took the bronze on the basis of his first attempt clearance at 2.31m.
Gowei Zhang of China and Konstandinos Baniotis of Greece tied at 2.31m.
Zhang’s series was 2.20m, 2.24, first attempts cleared. 2.28m, two attempts, 2.31m two attempts. 2.33m, three attempts, no clearance. Zhang did get the Chinese record.
Baniotis’ series was 2.20m, 2.24m, cleared on first attempts, second attempt clearance at 2.28m, second attempt at 2.31m. Two attempts, no clearance at 2.33m, took final attempt at 2.35m to win, and did not clear.
Jesse Williams, photo by PhotoRun.net
Jesse Williams, the World Champion from 2011, was sixth here. ” I came within two jumps of winning, I am ready to train again!” Jesse told us later that night. Jesse’s jumps went like this: 2.20m, 2.24m, 2.28m, first attempt clearances, third attempt on 2.31m and no clearances on three attempts at 2.33m.
In the end, Dmitirios Chonodrokoukis warmed the hearts of the country of Greece, which has been having a tough year, with his spirited jumping.
Men’s high jump: 1. Dmitrious Chonodrokoukis, GRE, 2.33m, 2. Andrey Silnov, RUS, 2.33m, 3. Ivan Uhov, RUS, 2.31m, 4. Gouwei Zhang, CHN, 2.31m, NR, 4. Konstandinos Baniotis, GRE, 2.31m, SB, 6. Jesse Williams, USA, 2.31m, 6. Robert Grabarz, GBR, 2.31m, 8. Trevor Barry, BAH, 2.31m, 9. Mutaz Essa Barshim, QAT, 2.28m, 10. Raul Spank, GER, 2.28m.
Men’s Triple Jump–USA goes 1,2, as Claye, Taylor dominate
The men’s triple jump now has Will Claye and Christian Taylor, both from same univer
sity in US and both tremendous jumpers!
Christian Taylor, photo by PhotoRun.net
Christian Taylor, the 2011 WC gold medalist at the triple jump, opened with a 17.63m, then fouled, then jumped 17.02m, 17.29m, 17.05m and 17.20m.
Will Claye opened with 16.89m, then fouled twice. In round four, he blasted a 17.70m, the world leader and took the lead. He cemented it with a fifth round of 17.63m and then finished in 17.53m.
Lyukman Adams of Russia opened with 16.98m, then fouled three times. On his fifth jump, he hit 17.36m, which game him the bronze. He finished with a foul.
Fabriozio Donato of Italy opened with 16.99m. In round two he jumped 17.28m, then fouled on his third and passed the final three jumps. Donato finished fourth.
Daniel Greco of Italy finished fifth. He fouled, then jumped 16.55m, fouled, jumped 16.93m, fouled and jumped his PB in round 6 in 17.28m.
Benjamin Campaore of France was sixth. He jumped 17.05m in his first attempt, then fouled five straight times.
and he flies, Will Claye, photo by PhotoRun.net
For Will Claye, who gives all credit to God, it was a day to give thanks: a World Leader, a gold medal and his training buddy taking silver, the support of coach, friends, and family. How much better can it get?
Men’s triple jump: 1. Will Claye, USA, 17.70m, WL, 2. Christian Taylor, USA, 17.63m,SB, 3. Lyukman Adams, RUS, 17.36m, PB, 4. Fabrizio Donato, ITA, 17.28m,SB, 5. Daniele Greco, ITA, 17.28m, PB, 6. Benjamin Campaore, FRA, 17.05m, Alexis Coppelo, CUB, 16.92m, 8. Bin Dong, CHN, 16.75m.
Men’s 4 x 400 meters, USA wins!
USA 4 x 400m, 2012 World Indoors, photo by Gary Morgan
As the last event on the bill, the crowd was still ecstatic over GBR’s surprise victory over the US in the women’s 4 x 400 meters, where a fresh Christine Ohuruogo just broke the race open for the GBR team.
In the men’s race, GBR’s Conrad Williams and Nigel Levine had the lead over US’s Frankie Wright and Calvin Smith. Splits were 46.27 for GBR on leg 1, and 1:32.12 on leg 2.
On the third leg, USA’s Manteo Mitchell just opened the throttle and dynamo HUM, the US had the lead. Michael Bingham of GBR kept it close, but Mitchell was running. Split at end of leg three was 2:17.98 for USA.
On leg four, Gil Roberts took off taking the leg and the race for the US, running a final time of 3:03.94.
GBR, anchored by Richard Buck, ran 3:04.72 for the silver. Trinidad & Tobago, helped by Renny Quows low 45 second leg, took the bronze in 3:96.85, a NR!
Men’s 4x 400m: 1. USA, 3:03.94, 2. GBR, 3:04.72, 3. Trinidad & Tobago, 3:06.85 NR, 4. Russia, 3:07.35, SB, 5. Spain, 3:10.01, SB, 6. Poland, 3:11.86.
Women’s 60 meter dash
Veronica Campbell Brown, photo by PhotoRun.net
I have to admit. I get a charge out of Veronica Campbell Brown. She is one of the toughest competitors I know, she deals with the press conferences very well and is wonderful with me. But she is, well, a woman on a mission. She is focused, she is one of the most under rated sprinters in the world, and she is, well damn intimidating. I mean that as a compliment. What I saw on Sunday night, was amazing. So, here is how I saw it.
Tianna Madison, photo by PhotoRun.net
Tianna Madison, the long jumper who won the 2005 world champs, has been flying down the track this season, with a 7.02 and 7.05 to her credit, plus a defeat of VCB.
VCB, aka Veronica Campbell Brown does not like to win. No matter how nice that smile is as she greets you, if you are sprinting against her, well, good luck.
In the final of the WC 60m dash, Tianna Madison and Murielle Ahoure of France had great starts. Madison was in front, sprinting hard. Ahoure was right behind her. VCB was second at the start, but she just ran her race. Her run from thirty to fifty meters was just, well fast, as she came up onside of Ahoure, passed her and then passed Madison, and did not stop until she hit the finish, running a world leader of 7.01. Muriella Ahoure just got by Madison, running 7.04 for a National record for the Ivory Coast. Tianna Madison, the long jumper, took the bronze, running 7.09. Barbara Pierre of the US, who has the fastest start, finished fourth in 7.14. Chandra Sturrup of the Bahamas, ran 7.19 for fifth. In sixth was Gloria Asumnu of Nigeria, who ran 7.22.
VCB wanted this race, and in the championships, experience is what it is all about.
Women’s 60m: 1. Veronica Campbell Brown, JAM, 7.01, WL, 2. Murielle Ahoure, CIV, 7. 04, NL, 3. Tianna Madison, USA, 7.09, 4. Barbara Pierre, USA, 7.14, 5. Chandra Sturrup, BAH, 7.19, 6. Gloria Assumnu, NGR, 7.22, 7. Aleen Bailey, JAM, 7.24, 8. Ivet Lalova, BUL, 7.27.
Women’s 800 meters, Pamela Jelimo is Back!
Pamela Jelimo, photo by PhotoRun.net
The 800 meters is a tough race. Four laps indoors, and one has to have something left to kick the last 200 meters hard.
This season, Fantu Magiso of Ethiopia has run well on the US boards, as has Erica Moore, who won the US title convincingly.
Erica Moore, photo by PhotoRun.net
Erica Moore has pushed from the front on several races this year, and won them. At the World Championships, she kept her cool and took off! Erica Moore lead at 200 meters, in 28.13, 400 meters at 57.69 and just before the 600 meters, Elene Kofanova of Russia took over, but not for long.
Natalia Lupu of the Ukraine, Pamela Jelimo of Kenya and Erica Moore, followed by Fantu Magiso went by Kofanova, flying.
Pamela Jelimo flew pa
st her, keeping her lead, and running a world leader, taking the gold in 1:58.83. Natalie Lupu of the Ukraine went by Moore, taking the silver in 1:59.67, a PB.
Erica Moore, the US women who set up the race, held on ferociously, dropping just past the finish, holding onto the bronze, with a PB of 1:59.97. Fantu Magiso of Ethiopia was fourth, finishing in 2:00.30, a PB, as she tried to chase down Moore.
We learn several things from this race. Pamela Jelimo is definitely back, giving Kenya a wonderful medal at 800 meters. And for the US, Erica Moore has given them a new medal and a new face at the 800 meters.
Women’s 800m: 1. Pamela Jelimo, Kenya, 1:58.83, WL, 2. Natalia Lupu, Ukraine, 1:59.67, PB 3. Erica Moore, USA, 1:59.97, PB, 4. Fantu Magiso, ETH, 2:00.30, PB, Elena Kofanova, RUS, 2:00.67, 6. Yuliya Rusanova, RUS, 2:01.87.
Women’s 3,000 meters
Meseret Defar had won four World Indoors titles at 3,000 meters. She wanted the fifth title. She must not have told Hellen Obiri.
Hellen Obiri, photo by PhotoRun.net
Meseret ran the near perfect race. She stayed in fourth at Helen Clitheroe of GBR lead the first kilometer, run in 3:01.60. Then, Meseret Defar took her future into her own hands and lead the race through 2,000 meters, hitting that mark in 5:56.31, a slight increase, but enough to drop 8 of the eleven other runners.
Defar, a master at the fast last kilometer, started pushing with five laps to go. She took off a couple of seconds each two hundred meters, so that, by the last lap, she had five meters on Hellen Obiri, Gelete Burka and Sylvia Kibet.
Meseret Defar began to pick up the the pace on the last lap, but Hellen Obiri came up on her and, with a huge push, just willed herself by Meseret, who stayed close, but could not get by. They were close over the next turn, and as Obiri hit the final stretch, she eeked out a lead of one second, as she upset Meseret Defar for the gold medal.
Meseret Defar, by PhotoRun.net
Hellen Obiri of Kenya ran 8:37.16 for the 3,000m, taking the gold. Meseret Defar of Ethiopia took the silver, in 8:38.26, showing that yes, she is human. Gelete Burka of Ethiopia took third in 8:40.18 and Sylvia Jebiwott Kibet of Kenya ran 8:40.50 for fourth place.
An epic race for Defar and Obiri. Disparate desires, and a great competition.
Women’s 3,000m: 1. Hellen Obiri, Kenya, 8:37.16, 2. Meseret Defar, ETH, 8:38.26, 3. Gelete Burka, ETH, 8:40.18, 4. Sylvia Kibet, Kenya, 8.40.50,PB, 5. Shitaye Eshete, BRN, 8:51.88, 6. Lidia Chojecka, POL, 8:56.86, 7. Helen Clitheroe, GBR, 8:59.04, 8. Sara Hall, USA, 8:59.95, 9. Nataliya Tobias, UKR, 9:00.78, 10. Svitlana Schmidt, UKR, 9:03.99, 11.Jackie Areson, USA, 9:12.50, SB, 12. Alia Saeed Mohammed, UAE, 9:15.74
Women’s Pole Vault
The demise of Yelena Isinbayeva has been greatly over described. Yelena took two jumps, one at 4.70m and one at 4.80m, to win her first championship since 2008. She made three game attempts at 5.02m or 16-5 1/2, but that was not important, Yelena was winning again.
Yelena Isinbayeva, photo by PhotoRun.net
Vanessa Boslak of France, cleared 4.30m, 4.45m, 4.55m, 4.65m, 4.70m, all on her first attempts. 4.70m was a French National record and gave her the silver medal. She made three attempts at 4.75m but no luck. The silver was Madamoiselle Boslak’s.
Holly Bleasdale, the new GBR phenom, took the silver. She took two to clear 4.45m, passed at 4.55m, then cleared 4.65m on her first attempt and 4.70m on her second attempt. She stopped her runs on all three attempts at 4.75m, it looked to be a problem with the pole, perhaps the wrong one, or she was just worn out. In any case, Holly has much higher to go, and this new world of medal competitions has to be somewhat disconcerting. The thing is, this young women has a heck of a lot of talent and a physique that can take the rigors of the pole vault.
Today, though was Yelena Isinbayeva’s day. She basked in the appreciation by the crowd, she loved it as much as they loved her. Let’s see how much higher she can go!
Women’s pole vault: 1. Yelena Isinbayeva, RUS, 4.80m, 2. Vanessa Boslak, FRA, 4.70m, NR, 3. Holly Bleasdale, GBR, 4.70m, 4. Silke Spiegelberg, GER, 4.65m, 5. Lacy Janson, USA, 4.65m, 6. Jirina Ptacnikova, CZE, 7. Yarislay Silva, CUB, 4.55m Nicole Buchler,SUI, 4.55m NR, 9. Alana Boyd, AUS, 4.55m, 10. Anastasi Savchenko, RUS, 4.45m, 11. Jillian Schwartz, ISR, 4.45m, 12. Kristina Gadshiew, GER, 4.30m, 12. Hanna Shelekh, UKR, 4.30m, 14.May Saxer, USA, 4.30m.
Women’s Long Jump: Brittney’s 7.23m
Brittney Reese defended her title. That is a fact. She is now the two time World Champion outdoor and indoor. That is a fact. She also jumped 7.23m or 23-7.5 inches, a jump not seen since Jackie Joyner Kersee in 1994!
Brittney Reese, photo by PhotoRun.net
Darya Klishina of Russia took the lead in round 1, jumping 6.79m, she then jumped 6.85m, 6.44m, 6.53m, 6.71m, and 6.78m. By the sixth round, she was fourth.
Darya Klishina, photo by PhotoRun.net
Shara Proctor of GBR fouled twice, then jumped 6.86m, to take the lead, then 6.55m, then 6.74m, then 6.89m, a NR, which gave her the bronze.
Shara Proctor, photo by PhotoRun.net
Janay De Loach started out with a foul, then jumped 6.74m, to move into second, then, 6.78m, then 6.67m, then 6.73m, and finally, a SB of 6.98m. Her 6.98m gave her the silver.
Janay DeLoach, photo by PhotoRun.net
Brittney Reese is nothing but methodical. She fouled twice, then jumped 6.82m, then took the lead a
t 6.92m, then 6.73m, then, saving the best until last, Brittney blasted a 7.23m for the WL, the gold and longest indoor jump since 1994.
Enough said, this women, Brittney Reese, is long jump goddess.
Women’s Long Jump. 1. Brittney Reese, USA, 7.23m WL, 2. Janay DeLoach, USA, 6.98m, 3. Shara Proctor, GBR, 6.89m, 4. Darya Klishina, RUS, 6.85m, 5. Natassia Mironchynk-Ivanova, BLR, 6.64m, 6. Veronika Shutkova, BLR, 6.64m, 7. Viorica Tigau, ROU, 6.34m, 8. Bianca Stuart, BAH, 4.71m.
Women’s 4 x 400 m relay
This is an old conference trick from college coaching. It is that simple. Charles Van Commanee, the head coach of the UK Athletics team, put a fresh couple of fresh runners, such as 2007 and Olympic champ Christine Ohuroughu, who, blasting open the third leg, made it impossible for a tired Sanya Richards-Ross to catch Shana Cox.
The race was fairly close at the start, but it was obvious that the GBR team was attacking and the US team was caught off guard. Both teams ran valiantly, and it was wonderful competition, but, in the end, the GBR ran the world leader of 3:28.76.
On the last leg, Sanya Richards-Ross had to deal with Ukraine team boxing her, but, that is the sport. This is not ballet, as one Russian coach noted about fifty plus years ago. We are not given points for how we look, it is about getting the baton around the track, and the GBR team did it just a bit better this time around.
USA be forewarned. London will be much tougher.
For results on Day three, please check out: World Indoors 2012, Day 3
For results on Day two, please check out, World Indoors 2012, Day 2
For results on Day one, please check out, World Indoors 2012, Day 1
