by Larry EderUsain Bolt continues to take his 6 foot, five inch frame and move it faster than most men at five foot, ten inches. This time, he goes 9.92! Bolt continues to deliver on his talent and the upcoming event at the Reebok Grand Prix on May 31 should be a barn burner! Usain Bolt versus Tyson Gay-over 100 meters: this will be a real foot race!
Angelo Taylor, 2000 Olympic 400m hurdle gold medalist from lane one, opened 2008 with a win at 200 meters in 20.50 and 400 meters in 45.03. Porsche Lucas won the 200 in Denver in 22.49, her personal best!
EME NEWS (MAY 18, 2008)
BOLT GETS HIS SECOND SUB 10
PORT OF SPAIN (TRI, May 17): This years 100 m sensation Usain Bolt confirmed his great shape with 9.92 (+0.6) win at Hampton Games in Trinidad. The Hasely Crawford Stadium saw new all-comers record and his second best ever after 9.76 before two weeks in Kingston. As Trinidad media are writing, the 21-year-old Jamaican separated himself from the field at the halfway stage, and by the 75-meter mark, the engines were shutting down. Bolt´s next two races before Jamaican Trials are a 100 m in New York on May 31 and 200 m in Ostrava on June 12. US indoor champion Mike Rodgers and former world champion at 200 m John Capel registered also high quality 10.07 and 10.12 behind Bolt. Home runner Aaron Armstrong was fourth in 10.15, one spot ahead of his compatriot Emmanuel Callander (10.24, PB). 19-years old local sprinter Semoy Hackett won the women 100 m and clocked new PB 11.33. US Jamaal Torrance won the 400 m (45.87). Antigua´s James Grayman went over 226 in High Jump, just one cm shy of his national record. The meet continues also on Sunday.
PAVEY AND WEIDLINGER WINS
MANCHESTER (GBR): British Jo Pavey won and defended the title at the BUPA Great Manchester Run after 31:58 at 10 km. The best man was also a European. Austrian fresh 10 000 m record holder on track Gunther Weidlinger achieved 28:10 to beat by one second the multiple European CC Champion Sergiy Lebid of Ukraine. Another second behind was Sweden´s steeple record holder Mustafa Mohamed (28:12) with former track European Champion Jose Manuel Martinez of Spain fourth (28:19). Marathon world champion Luke Kibet ended fifth (28:21). Second in women race was Kenyan Rose Cheruyiot (32:08) ahead of Ethiopian Bezunesh Bekele (32:33). In windy conditions Pavey boosted her confidence before Olympic 10 000 m race. Her next competition will be 5000 m at Bislett Games in Oslo. World marathon champion Catherine Ndereba of Kenya finished sixth (32:55) just ahead of another all-time great Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia (32:56).
JOHNSON BEATS AGAIN PHILLIPS, CHRISTIAN GREAT DOUBLE 10.11 AND 20.21
PONCE (PUR): Jamaican veteran Danny McFarlane won the 400 m Hurdles at second Ponce Grand Prix (Area Permit Meet to qualify for World Athletics Final) with very good 48.66. The event was well expected at Paquito Montaner Stadium as the current best home athlete Javier Culson competed and finished third (48.99), ahead of him US LaRon Bennett (48.94). In women race 2005 world medalist and current world leader Lashinda Demus won in her comeback series after 55.34. In Long Jump battle Brian Johnson (827, +0.9) again beat reigning Olympic winner Dwight Phillips (825,-0.2) with triple specialist Aarik Wilson as third (811, +2.0, outdoor PB). In the hurdles sprints World Championships bronze medalist David Payne opened the season with 13.49 (+0.4) win and Kellie Wells confirmed her improvements and equaled her PB from Guadeloupe early in the Month 12.71 (+1.0).
In warm weather (28 degrees and changing wind) Antigua´s Brendan Christian clocked excellent 10.11 (0.0) to equal his national record and win the 100 m ahead of former world champion Kim Collins (St. Kitts, 10.23). Christian later also won the 200 m in excellent 20.21 (+1.2).
400 m ended with a surprise. Unknown Ato Stephens of Trinidad achieved 45.01 and beat Chris Lloyd of Dominica (45.45). African record holder Gary Kikaya in his season opening was only fifth (45.92). Relay Olympic winner Derrick Brew won the other section (45.88).
World indoor champion Angela Williams dominated the 100 m clocking 11.32. US Hazel Clark recorded the third fastest time of the year at 800 m (1:59.82) beating Marian Burnett from Guyana (2:00.41).Jamaican Chelsea Hammond was best in Long Jump (659) and Netherland Antilles won the 4×100 m in good 38.83. US Kia Davis now eligible for Liberia improved national record for her new African country winning the 400 m (51.55). US Ebonie Floyd was the best at the 200 m (22.80, +1.0).
ZERSENAY AND A TIE BETWEEN ABEYLEGESSE AND MOMANYI
BANGALORE (IND, May 18): Starting at 7.10am local time, the men’s field in the first Sunfeast World 10K in Bangalore involved one lap of a largely flat city-center route in India’s „Garden City”. With the start time temperature at 25C and humidity climbing to the unseasonal warmth that has bathed the city for several days (37C on Thursday, Friday and Saturday), the pack covered the first half of the race in a cautious 14:04, after which world road champion Zersenay Tadesse lost patience and gradually accelerated. Only one athlete was with him going in to the last 2km – 21 year old Ugandan Moses Kipsiro proving a stubborn opponent. Entering the Kanteereva Stadium with a 350m circuit to complete, Kipsiro even looked like he was breaking away, but Tadesse rallied, caught and passed him with 200 to run and ended up sprinting clear to win by 3 seconds in 27:51. Kipsiro’s reward was a big pb of 27:54 – mighty impressive taking in to account the temperature of around 29C at race end as well as the 920m altitude of India’s IT capital. Tsegaye Kebede, the surprise winner of Paris Marathon in his debut, hung on well for 3rd in 28:10. Selim Bayrak from Turkey, winner of the European 10K Challenge was 9th, while Paul Tergat in his first race for almost a year, could do no better than 19th in 30:10. Osaka marathon silver holder Mubarak Shami was eighth (28:51).
The women’s race was almost a mirror of the men’s; conservative early pace, accelerating second half and then a sprint in the stadium. At least they had more cause for caution – the start temperature at 8.10am, just one hour after the men, was over 30C and it was 35C as they finished! However controversy delayed the result’s announcement as recent European 10K Challenge winner Elvan Abeylegesse and Kenya’s Grace Momanyi dipped together at the line. Initially Abeylegesse was announced as winner, then Momanyi, and eventually it was decided they should share the win, with the $32,000 for the first two home ($20k 1st; $12k 2nd) being shared evenly. The argument will rage but as there was no lateral camera on the Finish line, the result will have to stand. Another Kenyan up and coming runner Doris Changeiywo was third (32:31). Poor runs from Salina Kosgei (5th in 33:18) and from Berhane Adere (7th in 33:38) may cause the pair, both selected for their respective Olympic marathon squads, some concern.
ABDOSH WORLD LEADING 5000 m
CARSON (USA, May 17): A strong 5000 m was contested as pre-program on Saturday before the main events on Sunday at Home Depot Center. Recent African Championships third placer Ali Abdosh clocked new world leading 13:08.64. Dejene Gebremeskel as second improved to 13:08.96 and third place also for Ethiopian Markos Geneti (13:10.58).
SPANISH DISCUS RECORD BY PESTANO
EL PRAT (ESP, May 18): New Spanish record by discus thrower Mario Pestano. The fourth placer from European Championships 2006 registered 68.61 during second day of Clubs Championships. His previous national best was 68.26 from last year Tsiklitiria Meeting of Athens. The series: f, 64.51, f, 63.12, 65.26, 68.61.
OTHER RESULTS
ATLANTA (USA, May 17): Relay World Champion and 2000 400 m Hurdles Olympic winner Angelo Taylor was impressive at Georgia Tech Invitational. He improved his 200 m best to 20.50 (-1.0) and won also the 400 m with 45.03. In other 200 m race NCAA Champion Walter Dix clocked only 20.90 (+0.8) as second (winner Chris Lawson 20.79). 26 years old Nate Garcia first time clocked sub 50 at 400 m Hurdles (49.62). From this sort of post-college improvement is also the 16.96 (0.0) triple jump by Brandon Roulhac. On the women side Queen Harrison again achieved sub 13 at 100 m Hurdles (12.90,-0.1) and Morgan Uceny clocked solid 2:02.17 at 800 m. Relay world champion Monique Hennagan got 51.75 at 400 m.
VALENCIA (ESP, May 17): World indoors finalist Josephine Onyia improved to 12.64 at 100 m Hurdles during Spanish Clubs Championships (+0.2). Her previous best was 12.67 from Golden Gala in Rome last year. Onyia leads so the current European lists.
CASTELLON (ESP, May 17): Former Cuban Long jumper Luis Felipe Meliz leaped to exactly eight meters (+1.9) at Spanish Clubs Championships.
WATFORD (GBR, May 17): High ranking British middle distance runners started off their seasons in good form. Michael Rimmer won the 800 m in 1:47.16 and training partner Tom Lancashire the 1500 m in 3:39.73.
CHAPEL HILL (USA, May 17): At UNC Elite Meet last year NCAA Champion Brianna Felnagle improved at 1500 m to 4:08.54.
IMPERIA (ITA, May 17): Hammer thrower Silvia Salis improved during Italian Clubs Championships to 69.38 m.
RIETI (ITA, May 17): 2006 European Junior CC Champion Andrea Lalli bettered clearly his 1500 m best at Clubs Championships to 3:43.98.
ESSEN (GER, May 18): Kenyans dominated the Karstadt Marathon from Dortmund to Essen. Henry Cherono achieved 2:11:08 to win with Jonathan Keiyo second (2:14:42) and Julius Rugut third (2:15:50).
COPENHAGEN (DEN, May 18): Copenhagen Marathon registered new participation record with 8200 runners. Kenyan Julius Mutai won after 2:21:05. 36 years old Annemette Agaard won the women category and national title after her second best ever 2:36:08. Danish male title for Martin Parkhoj (2:24:58).
US CONFERENCES – SATURDAY
BOULDER (BIG 12): Porscha Lucas achieved in 200 m heats third fastest of the year and new PB 22.49 (-0.4). Other good heats times by Gerald Phiri (10.27, -2.4), Alexandria Anderson (11.21, +0.4), Lukas Hullett (45.69), Robert Griffin (49.72) and Shawon Harris (13.54,-0.2, PB). Finals on Sunday could bring fast times in favorable altitude.
TEMPE (PAC 10): Expected 400 m duel ended with Lionel Larry win (44.77) ahead of this years revelation Jordan Boase (44.97). In high quality race Joel Phillip of Grenada improved as third to 45.29 and fourth Bobby McCoy also new PB 45.31. Another new name to watch is Andrew Wheating of Oregon. After his sub 3:40 at 1500 m last weekend he again improved hugely. This time at 800 m with 1:46.83. Junior Jeshua Anderson (eligible for Bydgoszcz) improved to 49.55 at 400 m Hurdles. Best women result was the 2:00.57 by last year NCAA outdoor champion Alysia Johnson at 800 m.
AUBURN (SEC): Brittney Reese confirmed again her current shape with 684 (+0.1) Long Jump win. In heats great improvement by former world junior champion Jason Richardson at 110 m Hurdles to 13.33 (-0.3). Trinidad´s Richard Thompson (10.00 this year) achieved 10.18 (+0.6) in 100 m heat and Trindon Holliday 10.21 (+0.8) in other race.
NORTHRIDGE (BIG WEST): 2004 World Juniors bronze medalist Sharon Day improved in High Jump to Olympic A-qualifier 195 cm. She even tried at 198 and is a new name to consider for US Olympic Team.
EL PASO (CONFERENCE USA): French Mickael Hanany confirmed shape of his life and again went over 230 in third try. Afterwards he tried at 233 cm.
FORT WORTH (MOUNTAIN WEST): New St. Kitts and Nevis 100 m record clocked by Pan-Am Games finalist Virgil Hodge with 11.21 (+2.0). Her previous national mark was 11.26. She also won the 200 m (22.94, +1.3). Drew Morano clocked 45.98 to win men´s 400 m.
CHAMPAIGN (BIG TEN): Excellent improvement for 22 years old javelin thrower Kara Patterson. Her 61.56 m is not only Olympic A-qualifier but also new College Record. 56.19 was her best previously from 2006. Kansas Relays winner Liz Roehrig again improved her total heptathlon score to 5855 points.
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