by Larry Eder
Rudisha treated the fans at the adidas GP to the first sub 1:42 in North America on June 9. The third day of the 2012 US Olympic Trials are on, a short day today, and the rain continues to come down. The decathlon has the javelin, and 1,500 meters.
EME NEWS (JUN 23, 2012)
Rudisha jogged in 1:42.12
NAIROBI (KEN, Jun 23): David Rudisha won the Olympic trials at the
Nyayo National Stadium in excellent 1:42.12 African All-Comers record.
The Nation writes that he virtually jogged. Second Timothy Kitum 1:43.94
and Anthony Chemut 1:43.96 as third both personal bests sealed olympic places.
Fourth Abraham Chipchirchir 1:44.61 over Job Kinyor 1:44.71 and former
world champion Alfred Kirwa Yego 1:45.19. “The race was nice and easy
and the only thing that can halt my charge for the Olympic glory would
be an injury or illness but God has been faithful and on my side,” said
Rudisha who has next race at Paris Diamond League before the London
Games. However, it’s “Kemboi dance” by 2004 Athens Olympic steeple
champion Ezekiel Kemboi that received the wildest cheers. Olympic
champion Brimin Kipruto surged ahead to put his title defence on course
with 8:11.73 in the steeplechase that claimed pre-race favourite and
pacesetter, Paul Kipsiele Koech, and Commonwealth and Africa champion,
Richard Mateelong. Kemboi (8:12.82) vowed a more refined top podium
place “Kemboi dance” at next month’s London Games as the newly crowned
national champion Abel Mutai claimed the last spot for the Summer Games
(8:13.47). Richard Mateelong was 5th 8:14.09 and World leader Paul Kipsiele Koech
again did not make it at the trials as 7th (8:36.29). Kipsiele Koech
said even though the race was tactical his legs failed in the last 400
metres after he also suffered stomach bloat. “It wasn’t about my form
but rather the usual effects of high altitude,” he said. Olympic and
World 1500 m champion Asbel Kiprop almost repeated the same mistake that
cost him in 2007 Osaka and 2009 Berlin Worlds and Beijing by operating
from deep in the pack. He ploughed back to settled for third (3:38.3) in
the metric mile behind Daegu Worlds silver medallist Silas Kiplagat who
ran 3:37.6 and Nixon Chepseba (3:38.0). “There was too much traffic
hence not easy to create a line,” said Kiprop. Caleb Ndiku was fourth
3:38.8 ahead of Bethwel Birgen 3:39.0. Beijing 5000 m silver medallist
Eliud Kipchoge was a major casualty over the 5000 m (7th 13:30.86) as
junior Isaiah Kiplagat Koech won in 13:09.80 with Beijing bronze winner
Edwin Soi (13:11.11) and Thomas Longosiwa (13:11.28) sealing the London
places. Women events ended as per expectations. Olympic winner Pamela
Jelimo dominated the 800 m in 1:58.48 ahead of Winnie Chebet 2:00.33 and
former world champion Janeth Jepkosgei 2:00.47. African record holder
Milcah Chemos won the steeple in 9:32.75 ahead of Mercy Njoroge 9:33.32
and Lydia Rotich 9:40.11. Vivian Cheruiyot qualified as 5000 m winner
for her second event (16:08.08), the same for second Sally Kipyego
16:09.29. Third was Viola Kibiwott 16:09.45 ahead of Sylvia Kibet
16:10.81. Former 10 000 m world champion Linet Masai was 7th (16:23.75).
World indoor champion at 3000 m Hellen Obiri won the 1500 m (4:06.10)
beating Eunice Sum 4:07.19 and Faith Chepngetich 4:08.53.
Chambers beat Gemili
BIRMINGHAM (GBR, Jun 23): UK Athletics writes that day two at the Aviva
2012 Trials saw 11 athletes gain pole position in their quest for places
at the London 2012 Olympic Games. A packed Alexander Stadium witnessed a
day of pulsating track and field action – one that will go down in
athletics history. Hammer thrower Sophie Hitchon became the first
athlete of the day to be potentially on her way to London 2012. A
distance of 69.79m was enough to win the national title for the second
consecutive year. Although beaten by Dwain Chambers 10.25 (-0.1) in the
men’s 100m final, young sprint sensation Adam Gemili’s second place
10.29 (also fastest semifinal time 10.20, 0.0) finish was enough to seal
the deal for the former footballer. “I haven’t decided yet (on London
2012),” said Gemili. “I would say that it’s quite likely but I’ll have
to speak with my coach first. I’m not officially a senior – I’ve still
got this year as a junior – but next year I feel like I can make the
transition well. Third James Dasaolu has the A-standard (10.31) while
Chambers no. It was double delight for hurdles coach Malcolm Arnold OBE
as two of his athletes World Champion Dai Greene 49.47 and Jack Green
49.88 claimed first and second spots in the 400m hurdles final. Reigning
Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu and her training partner Shana Cox
dominated women 400 m final in 51.89 and 52.87. In-form long jumper Greg
Rutherford maintained his excellent 2012 summer season with a jump of
812 (+0.5) to win the long jump. Chris Tomlinson had to settle for third
(789) beaten by JJ Jegede (790). Heptathlon star Jessica Ennis offered
the crowd another 100m hurdles masterclass to beat specialist Tiffany
Porter into second place to win the national title (12.92 to 13.21,
+0.3). She also gains automatic selection for the 100m hurdles. The
British heptathlon record holder also won the high jump (189) for the
second consecutive year. 550m was enough for Steven Lewis to win the
men’s pole vault and it was a job well done for the Stoke athlete. The
men’s 1500m went according to the current A form book with Andy Baddeley
(3:47.99) and Ross Murray (3:48.20) posting a one two finish and both
were happy with their days work. The finals of the women’s 100m and 800m
proved to be inconclusive for Games places. Lynsey Sharp was the best
in 2:01.72 (over Jemma Simpson 2:02.29 and junior Jessica Judd 2:02.30)
and Ashleigh Nelson in the 100 m (11.50, -0.6. ahead of Onuora 11.51 and
Douglas 11.52). Aby Oyepitan after fastest semi 11.37 (-0.6) did not
run the final. In the women 10 000 m Ethiopian guest Worknesh Kidane won
in 31:28.19 as her team-mate Meselech Melkamu gave up after doing the
pace until 4 km. Caryl Jones as second (32:52.53) and Iwona Lewandowska
of Poland as third (32:56.25) achieved personal bests. Lee Doran with PB
of 79.72 won men´s javelin over veteran Roald Bradstock who with 72.78
at age of 50 got new Masters world record in this category.
Pearson 11.20 and 12.52
NIVELLES (BEL, Jun 23): World champion Sally Pearson has won the women’s
100m and the women’s 100m hurdles at the 26th Meeting International de
la Ville in Nivelles (EAP Circuit). In the 100m, Pearson clocked a
season best 11.20
(-1.2) to take line honours from compatriot Melissa Breen (11.55).
Bursting out of the blocks and never challenged in the sprint hurdles,
Pearson clocked 12.52 (+0.4), just 0.03 shy of her own world lead, to
win from Anne Zagre who clocked Belgian record 12.89. Sharon Hannan, the
coach of both Pearson and the Australian women’s 4x100m relay team,
said: “Sally and I are very happy with her hurdles, this is a tiny
village in the middle of Belgium where she wasn’t going to be challenged
and she came out and still ran a really great time. The 100m result was
awesome as well, it’s the fastest she has ran since the Perth Track
Classic in March 2011 and that shows her speed is continuing to
improve.” More Australian wins here for Brendan Cole (50.60) and Lauren
Boden (57.07) in the 400 m hurdles and for Tamsyn Manou in the 800 m
(2:03.65). Lachlan Renshaw was edged out for second in the men’s event
in 1:46.45, winner was Botswana super talent, still a junior 1:45.13.
Oscar Pistorius won his 400 m race but expected more than 46.20. Juan
Van Deventer won the 1500 m for South Africa (3:40.85) and German Eric
Balnuweit was the best at 110 m hurdles (13.64, -1.3). French Julien
Kapek was the best in the triple jump (16.80, +1.9). Olympic winner
Francoise Mbango was the best in women triple jump (14.23, +1.3).
Asian javelin record
FUZHOU (CHN, Jun 23): New Asian javelin record at National Grand Prix
meet. Li Lingwei achieved 65.11 ahead of Lu Huihui 63.70. Former record
holder was Lu Huihui with 64.95 from April. Asian hammer record holder
Zhang Wenxiu won her event with 74.09. In the usual strong shot put Gong
Lijiao got 19.53 and Li Ling season best 19.49. In men events to note
Zhang Guowei clearing 228 in the high jump and new PB for 800 m winner
Xia Xiudong 1:47.01.
HELSINKI NEWS
BIRMINGHAM (GBR): Mo Farah did not compete in the 1500 m final at UK
Trials but confirmed he will try to defend his European title in
Helsinki at the 5000 m.
SOFIA (BUL): Biggest Bulgarian medal hope in Helsinki Vanya Stambolova
at 400 m hurdles fell during the hurdles training and could miss the
European Championships. The decision after seeing the doctors (she was
wounded from spikes) will be made in coming days.
MADRID (ESP): Two changes in the Spanish team. Hurdler Felipe Vivancos
will not compete due to an injury, but added is Lisvanys Perez for the
triple jump (he is of Cuban origin).
BUDAPEST (HUN): Hungary also added javelin thrower Xenia Nagy and 400 m hurdler Tibor Koroknai.
HELSINKI (FIN): European Athletics and the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are teaming up again to
develop tomorrow’s sport and community leaders by staging a Young
Leaders Forum from 25-28 June in conjunction with the 2012 European
Athletics Championships in Helsinki. More than 70 young people between
18 and 26 years old representing the European Athletics’ Member
Federations have signed up for the Forum, which will also be supported
by the Helsinki 2012 Local Organising Committee and will take place
mainly at the Kisakallio Sports Institute outside the city. Informs EA.
FRANKFURT (GER): Second best German hammer thrower Kathrin Klaas decided
to travel to Helsinki. Her latest test of fitness was succesfull, she
fell badly on her head in Eugene at Pre Classic and could not compete
since then.
OTHER NEWS
BOSTON (USA): Pat Butcher writes at www.globerunner.org that the Boston
Marathon organisers paid out the winnings for their late April race this
week; with one notable exception, the 75 000 USD that Kenyan Jemima
Jelegat Sumgong should have earned for her second place in the women’s
race. Butcher writes that Tom Grilk, the executive director would not
give any informations about the reasons.
OTHER RESULTS
MANNHEIM (GER, Jun 23): At Bauhaus Junioren Gala Patrick Domogala
clocked 10.39 (+1.4) in heats and won the finals in 10.48 (-0.1).
Impressive Steven Solomon from Australia won the 400 m in 45.71. Fast
110 m hurdles (junior height) by Briton James Gladman 13.30 (+1.2) over
Australian Nicholas Hough 13.51 (and 13.38 NR in heat). Damien
Birkinhead won the shot put (6 kg) for Australia with 20.53 m. Good
German win for Franziska Hofmann at 100 m hurdles 13.31 (+1.4) after
13.28 (+1.4) in heats. Second Australian Michelle Jenneke 13.39.
HYDERABAD (IND, Jun 23): Karnataka high jumper Sahana Kumari become the
fourteenth Indian athlete to qualify for the forthcoming Olympic Games
in London when she cleared 1.92m to achieve this distinction during the
first day of Senior Nationals in G.M.C. Balayogi Stadium here. In that
process she erased the previous national meet record of 1.91m held by
Bobby Aloysius since 2004. Dharambir Singh won the 100 m in 10.51.
ESKISEHUR (TUR, Jun 23): During first day of Balkan Junior Championships
fast 100 m by Turkish Nimet Karakus, her 11.33 is new national junior
record.
PLOVDIV (BUL, Jun 23): Samuel Francis of Qatar clocked here at
international meet 10.33 at the 100 m. Mohammed Abdullah Darwish of UAE
achieved 16.78 in the triple jump, just 2 cm behind his national record.
ERFURT (GER, Jun 23): German high jumper Ariane Friedrich wanted to
attack olympic qualifier (195) here at regional championships but did
not suceed after 188 she did not clear 193. Her last chance will be at
European Championships in Helsinki.
BIALYSTOK (POL, Jun 23): Patryk Dobek clocked good quality 46.25 to win
the 400 m during second day of Polish Junior Championships. Solid also
the 52.82 by the girls winner Patrycja Wyciszkiewicz. Malwina Kopron
achieved interesting double in hammer 64.88 and javelin 51.66, both
personal bests.
HUELVA (ESP, Jun 22): Fast 800 m at local meet here, for top two runners
life-time bests. Cuban Maurys Castillo clocked 1:44.89 and Spanish Luis
Alberto Marco 1:45.13.
SAARIJARVI (FIN, Jun 23): Personal best for Estonian javelin thrower Risto Matas 81.60 ahead of Lassi Etelatalo 80.66 m.
SEMPACH (SUI, Jun 23): European marathon champion Viktor Röthlin in his
olympic marathon preparation won the 31st Hellebardenlauf hier in new
course record at 16.1 km 50:09. Former record by Eritrean Abraham
Tadesse was 50:55 in 2009.
MOSCOW (RUS, Jun 23): European marathon bronze winner and London-bound
Dmitriy Safronov won the Luzhniki Half Marathon in 1:05:54.
