by Larry Eder Maurice Smith, the 07 silver medalist defeated World record holder Roman Sebrle, and 2004 gold medalist, 8157 to 8058, with Dmitri Karpov in third in 8029, at the second edition of the TNT-Fortuna Combined Events meeting!
Bryan Clay, 2008 champ, hurt his hamstring two days ago and is iffy for the US decathlon starting on Thursday, June 25, in Eugene, Oregon.
Lots of global action, so do not miss a word of the Word of geek track….
LATEST RESULTS
SMITH BEATS SEBRLE
KLADNO (CZE, June 24): Olympic winner 2004 and world record holder Roman Sebrle could not repeat his win from first edition of TNT-Fortuna Combined Events meeting. In third edition he was leading after first day but after mediocre results in discus and pole vault (43.54 and 460) lost his chance against World silver winner from Osaka Jamaican Maurice Smith on Wednesday. In difficult weather (rain and wind) Smith came to the lead after hurdles and increased it with excellent 51.45 discus. In the mean-time second after first day Algerian Larbi Bouraada did not finish the hurdles and was out of contention. Athens olympic medalist Dmitriy Karpov of Kazakhstan also came back with good discus 50.79 and went over Sebrle. In javelin the local hero attacked again with 63.56 what was 10 metres better than Smith and also Karpov. In the final 1500 m nothing changed, as they finished race so was also the final ranking for Smith 8157 (10.88 – 725 – 14.67 – 197 – 48.35 – 14.09 – 51.45 – 470 – 53.14 – 4:46.43), Sebrle 8058 (11.15 – 7.66 – 14.76 – 206 – 50.72 – 14.43 – 43.54 – 460 – 63.56 – 4:52.90) and Karpov 8029 (11.07 – 697 – 16.02 – 200 – 50.64 – 14.63 – 50.79 – 490 – 55.89 – 4:53.23). „It was very difficult in this weather, the changing of clothing was unbelievable. After pole vault I started to feel pain in my achilles, so I was happy to finish,“ said Sebrle for whom it was his 70th decathlon and 44th over 8000. Nobody else is having such a number in the history of this event. Fourth place for New Zealander Brent Newdick who improved his PB to 7849 points. Olympic winner Natalya Dobrynska clearly dominated the heptathlon with final score of 6249 points (13.94 – 173 – 14.97 – 25.16 – 635 – 48.56-2:18.17). She was the best in long jump (635) and javelin (48.56). Uzbekistan´s Yulia Tarasova as second scored solid 5916 (13.81 – 173 – 12.36 – 24.56 – 627 – 40.92 -2:21.61). Excellent third was Helga Margret Thorsteindottir of Iceland who at age of 18 improved to national senior record and European leading junior mark of the year 5878 points (14.19 – 173 – 14.09 – 24.77 – 578 – 40.17 – 2:16.40). In junior boys decathlon Czech Adam Pasiak qualified for European Junior Championships in Novi Sad with 7404 score.
UKHOV AND KLYUGINA
SOMOSKO (HUN, June 24): Russian wins at 22nd International Jumping Gala in Hungary at city square. European indoor champion Ivan Ukhov of Russia clearly dominated the event with 231 third attempt clearance and misses at 234. Second Italian Nicola Ciotti went over 225. In women competition the wife of Ukhov´s coach Viktoriya Klyugina was the best with 194 and missed at 198.
CHAMBERS 10.16
NANTES (FRA, June 24): British sprinter Dwain Chambers clocked 10.16 (+0.3) at international meet in Nantes, France (does not belong to Euromeetings group). His next race should be on Saturday in Sofia, Bulgaria. Home Abdeslam Kennouche won the 1500 m in good 3:37.37. Morrocan Morad Maaroufit registered 7:48.38 at 3000 m. Nigerian hurdler Toyin Augustus showed excellent shape with new PB 12.85 (+0.3) at 100 m hurdles beating French Sandra Gomis (13.06, she clocked new PB in heats 12.96 +2.0).
MOKOENA 814
TURKU (FIN, June 24): Olympic medalist Khotso Mokoena leaped to 814 (-1.9) at Paavo Nurmi Games. Second placed 2005 World medalist Tommi Evila improved his season best to 804 (+0.3). Kenyan Lewis Korir who competes for a Finnish Club achieved solid 28:07.34 at 10 000 m.
OBERGFOLL WITH LAST THROW
BIBERACH (GER, June 24): Olympic bronze winner in javelin German Christina Obergfoll saved herself at „Weltklasse in Biberach“ international meet with a last throw of 67.93. Until then leading was veteran Steffi Nerius with 64.05. Another top mark in wet conditions before 2000 spectators was the 13.53 by Helge Schwarzer in 110 m hurdles heat what meant the standard for World Championships. He also won the finals with 13.56. World junior champion Raphael Holzdeppe beat the home elite in pole vault clearing 560 cm. Briton Susan Scott clocked 4:19.73 1500 m win, South African Samson Ngoepe got the 800 m (1:47.24) and Nigerian Peter Emelieze the 100 m (10.34, 0.0). Vida Anim of Ghana scored a sprint double (11.43 and 23.65) and home 200 m win for Alexander Kosenkow (20.88).
TOP NEWS
OLIVER NO SHOW
EUGENE (USA): One of the world best high hurdlers and olympic medalist David Oliver will not compete at US Championships and so will be missed also in Berlin at the World event. He explains on his blog: „A strained left calf injury I suffered last week in training has forced me to withdraw from the championships this weekend. It is responding well to treatment, but neither Brooks (coach) nor myself felt comfortable going out there and gambling on causing further damage to myself. I‘m glad I get great advisement from my coach, I know a lot of other coaches would have had their athlete out there competing no matter what. We just didn‘t want to risk turning something like this into something chronic that could lead to a season or even worse career ending injury. I realize that you can not be a professional when it is convenient for myself. Being a professional means that you have to make very hard decisions in terms of your career path sometimes. The pendulum doesn‘t always swing in your favor, it‘s swinging against me right now, so I will just hang on and ride it out. When things go bad, I always know that it has to come to an end at some point, kind of like when you are doing those repeat 300s at practice, can‘t go on forever! I know there is somebody that really needs to compete at the Nationals to secure some lanes in Europe that will not get the opportunity to because of injury. Someone always has it worse than you. This is an unfortunate development, I was really hoping to defend my title successfully, but no one is immune to getting bit by the injury bug. Going to World Championships was the main goal for this season but I can look on the bright side, I have put myself into a position where I can attend any other meet in the world that I would like to go to and I still have the chance to accomplish other goals I have set for this season. I will just sit back and heal up and get ready for the European season this summer with my first competition being in London at the end of July.“
ISINBAYEVA ADMITS DIAMOND LEAGUE IN 2010, BUT NOT IN 2011 AND 2012
MOSCOW (RUS): Double olympic winner and most popular female athlete Yelena Isinbayeva is ready to sign the new IAAF Diamond League in 2010. That is the information of her coach Vitaliy Petrov, published by All-Sport. Petrov also added that in 2010 with European Championships he sees the real possibility Isinbayeva will be able to compete in the series. But in 2011 and 2012, years with World Championships and Olympic Games, he will be against that. „In that years our main aim will be championships and not the meetings,“ he said.
AGAIN EVORA vs. IDOWU, RETURN OF RAWLINSON
MALAGA (ESP): At Saturday´s European Athletics Premium meeting in Spain Portugal´s olympic and world winner in triple jump Nelson Evora will be one of the biggest stars. He will face again as in Leiria last weekend his main rival Briton Philips Idowu. Another head-line of the meeting will be the return of 400 m hurdles world champion Jana Rawlinson of Australia. Spanish Marta Dominguez runs the steeple, Eritrea´s former world CC champion Zersenay Tadese the 5000 m and Hungarian world leader Krisztian Pars is the main name in hammer throw.
PECHONKINA IS RETURNING
ZHUKOVSKIY (RUS): World record holder at 400 m hurdles Yulia Pechonkina announced her come back race. She will compete for first time since autumn 2007 in her special event at 51st Znamensky Memorial in Zhukovskiy near Moscow (EA Premium Meeting on July 5). Her coach Valentin Maslakov (who is also Russian head-coach) confirmed she was able to overcome all the health problems of last year and is back. Her main rivals will be Ukrainian olympic finalist Anastasiya Rabchenyuk and Trinidad´s record holder Josanne Lucas.
OTHER NEWS
GOLDENER GRUND (GER): German discus thrower Sabine Rumpf had to undergo an appendix surgery two weeks ago. But she already wants to compete at the German championships on July 4th and 5th in Ulm to defend her title. Her coach Martin Rumpf said: ‚ She is recovering well and already back in training.‘ The former U23 European champion might have her next competition already on June 27th at a local meeting.
ST. MORITZ (SUI): Since June 7th Irina Mikitenko trains in the mountains of St. Moritz. Her training camp will last 18 days and then the 36-year-old will stay at home for three weeks before going to St. Moritz for another three weeks. The winner of the London marathon in 2008 and 2009 said that everything is running well and as planned and that she is enjoying to run. At the moment she is training twice a day and adding 180 to 190 km per week.
At her second training camp she will focus more on fast runs on the track. Mikitenko is in Switzerland with her husband and coach Alexander and her little daughter. Her elder sun stays at home with her mother as he has to go to school.
MOSCOW (RUS): European indoor champion and recent European Team Championships winner Anna Alminova will close her first part of competitions at Moscow Open EA Premium Meeting on July 1. Then her preparation period will start and next competition will come only at Russian Championships end of July in Cheboksary.
MOSCOW (RUS): The hearings at CAS in case of Russian female athletes (Soboleva and co.) will be held on July 2-4. All-Sport informs about it based on the informations recieved from Viktor Berezov, the head of juridical department of Russian Olympic Committee.
MISSISSIPPI (USA): The top ranked Jamaican man in the 400 metres for 2009 will be missing from this weekend‘s National Senior Championships at the National Stadium. Informs Trackalerts.com. Mississippi State University student, Dwight Mullings, who clocked 44.98 seconds at the South East Conference meet in Gainsville, Florida, last month is having serious problems with his travel documents and will not be able to leave the United States in time for the June 26-28 championships.
NAIROBI (KEN): On Thursday Kenyan championships will start at Nyayo National Stadium. Top event will be the 10 000 m where teams for Berlin will be selected. Other events selections will be at the Trials in July. The Kenya Police line-up includes World Cross senior women champion, Florence Kiplagat, Moses Mosop, Olympic 1,500m silver medallist, Asbel Kiprop, Olympic 800m women‘s champion, Pamela Jelimo and Africa 1,500m champion, Haron Keitany. Others include Masai Trilogy siblings of Moses, Linet and Dennis.
SOLLENTUNA (SWE): After European Team Championships weekend the European Athletics meetings circuit continues already on Thursday with Sollentuna Grand Prix (EA Classic category). Sollentuna is a suburb, north of Stockholm between the city and the Arlanda airport. The meet is also second in four-way Folksam GP Swedish series. After DN Galan (IAAF Super GP) this is the second meet with an international permit in Sweden. After local star Johan Wissman withdrew from planned 300 m race the main home star will be high jumper Linus Thornblad who will face Russian olympic medalist Yaroslav Rybakov. Internationally the biggest names will be Sudanese runners. Olympic medalist Ahmed Ismail runs the 800 m and world junior record holder Abubaker Kaki is goint to compete at 1500 m. Last year African champion Ali Nagmeldin is the head-liner of 400 m and Nawal El Jack (400 m) and Muna Jabir (400 m hurdles) will be the favorites in their events. Fans will cheer also for Alhaji Jeng in Pole Vault as he will face former European indoor champion Russian Igor Pavlov. In discus Egyptian record holder Omar El Ghazaly is the name to watch, in 400 m hurdles Briton Rhys Williams. Interesting battles are foreseen in long jump (olympic finalist Greg Rutherford against Algerian record holder Issa Nima and Brazilian Mauro Vinicius) and both sprints (two duels of fastest Dutch Patrik Van Luijk against Nigerian Ucchena Emedolu). Stadium „Sollentunavallen“ is not big, more of an open sportsground with seating on both straights, Kajsa Bergqvist is form Sollentuna and competed for the local club Turebergs FK all her carreer. The meeting will be televised for one hour on TV 4 on Thursday evening.
NAIROBI (KEN): In interesting turn of the action, the Kenya Government confirmed it will support next year‘s Africa athletics championship in Nairobi. Sports Commissioner Gordon Oluoch said the government signed a commitment letter with Athletics Kenya confirming they will spend 2.5 million dollars towards the championship. The government‘s confirmation has allayed fears Kenya might not host the championship. Confederation of Africa Athletics President Ahmed Kalkaba Malboum was quoted in the organisation‘s website as saying they have asked Egypt and Botswana to be on standby in case Kenya fails to host the Africa championship.
MILANO (ITA): Olympic 100 metres finalist Jeanette Kwakye who has not competed for nearly nine months because of injury will open her season at the Notturna di Milano meeting on Thursday night. Kwakye was a revelation last year when firstly claiming the world indoors 60m silver medal with a UK record then becoming the country‘s first Olympic 100m finalist since 1984.
Christine Ohuruogu after finishing third over 200m at last weekend‘s European Team Championships where she captained the Aviva GB side to third place, was supposed to run her second 400m race of the summer. The Olympic champion will not be able to run due to very sore throat which she suffered also in Leiria. Ohuruogu who was ruled out of challenging for the GL jackpot of US1 million dollars because the Rome leg of the series clashes with the world trials, is now expected to run against arch US rival Sanya Richards in Oslo on July 4. Informs David Martin.
MADRID (ESP): New names for the 2009 Madrid International Meeting (IAAF Grand Prix) on July 4 are coming from men discus throw. Two best Spanish athletes Mario Pestano and Frank Casańas will face double Olympic Champion Lithuanian giant Virgilijus Alekna.
EUGENE (USA): USA Track & Field announced that it will partner with Flotrack.org to provide live webcasts of both open and junior events at the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. The Championships will be held Thursday through Sunday at the University of Oregon‘s Hayward Field. Flotrack will supplement USATF‘s official television coverage with live, real-time coverage with race calls of every event at the USA Junior Outdoor Championships while also providing bonus, live, real-time coverage and race calls of select open events during the USA Outdoor Championships. Tyson Gay also confirmed he will run only first round at 100 m on Thursday.
LONDON (GBR): Latest blog of Pat Butcher called Late vocation at http://www.globerunner.org/blog/?p=194.
RESULTS
ST GEORGE (GRN, June 20-21): Solid sprints at Grenada National Championships. Andon Mitchell clocked 10.2 at 100 m and was second behind Joel Redhead (20.5) at 200 m with 20.6. CAC gold medalist Hazel Regis-Buckels won the 400 m in 53.2. Talented junior Kirani James won the men 400 m with good quality 45.7.
MASHAD (IRI, June 19): Iran´s best current athletes are the discus brothers. At first stage of National Club Championships Mohammad Samimi achieved 63.11 and Mahmoud Samimi 61.87.
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