by Larry EderThis is where we will update the Decathlon all day, so check it often!
The decathlon is ten events that test the will, the strength and the speed of the world’s greatest athletes. Bruce Jenner, the 1976 Olympic gold medalist noted that the decathlon gives an athlete ten different ways to make a mistake. The key is, to make as few errors as possible.
Trey Hardee, 2009 WC, photo by PhotoRun.net
In this event, defender Trey Hardee of the U.S. is competing against Ashton Eaton, the newest star in the Decathlon pantheon.
Ashton Eaton, 2011 US Champs, photo by PhotoRun.net
We will cover all ten disciplines in the decathlon, and try to give you a good feel for the competition and the competitors. If you have questions, email us at runblogrun@gmail.com!
Decathlon, Day 1, 100 meters
Ashton Eaton, 2011 US Champs, photo by PhotoRun.netAshton Eaton won heat 1, with a time of 10.46 for 985 points. Trey Hardee was second in 10.55 for 963 points, Damian Warner of Canada was third in 10.56 for 961 points.
Eelco Sintnicolaas of the Netherlands won heat 2 in 10.76, his seasonal best for 915 points, Igmar Vos of the Netherlands was second in 10.82 for 901 points and Yordani Garcia of Cuba was third in 10.85 for 894 points.
Brent Nedwick of New Zealand was the winner of heat 3 in 11.00 for 861 points. Leonel Suarez of Cuba was second in 11.07 for 845 points.
In heat 4, Larbi Bouraada of Algeria ran 10.88 for 888 points, and Jan Felix Knobel ran 11.18, with the German getting 821 points. Roman Sebrele of the Czech Republic, arguably the greatest decathlete of our era, finished fifth in 11.25 for 806 points and Ryan Harlan of the US, finished sixth in 11.29 for 797 points.
Decathlon, Day 1, Long Jump
Ashton Eaton, 2011 US Champs, photo by PhotoRun.netThomas Van Der Plaetsen of Belgium jumped a personal best of 7.79m on his first attempt
and passed on his next two attempts. Oleksy Kasyanov of the Ukraine jumped a seasonal best of 7.59m, with a series of 7.46m, 7.59m and a foul. Ashton Eaton of the US jumped 7.46m, his series: foul, 7.46m, 7.21m.
In fourth, Aleksey Drozdov of Russia jumped his seasonal best of 7.45m, his series was 7.05m, 7.30m, 7.45m. Trey Hardee, the defending champion jumped 7.45m also, his series was foul, 7.45m, foul.
Mihail Dudas of Serbia was sixth in 7.41m. In seventh, Igmar Vos of the Netherlands jumped 7.41m. Roman Sebrele jumped 7.30m, in eleventh place.
In the second group of long jumpers, Larbi Bouraada of Algeria jumped 7.42m, his seasonal best, his series being foul, 7.41m, 7.42m. Leonel Suarez of Cuba, one of my picks as spoiler, jumped a seasonal best of 7.33m for second in group 2. Maurice Smith of Jamaica, jumped 7.06m for seventh, and Ryan Harlan of the US jumped 6.68m for 12th.
After two events, Ashton Eaton leads at 1910 points, Trey Hardee, the defending champion was second in 1885 points, Oleksy Kasyanov was third in 1874 points, Damian Warner of Canada was fourth in 1859 points, and Thomas Van Der Plaetsen of Belgium is fifth in 1824 points.
In sixth, Mihail Dudas of Serbia has 1816 after two events. Larbi Bouraada of Algeria, in seventh, has 1803 points. In ninth, Eelco Sintnicolaas of the Netherlands, has 1798 points, with Andres Raja of Estonia with 1758 points.
Leonel Suarez of Cuba is in 13th in 1738, Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic is in 20th with 1692, and Ryan Harlan of the US is in 29th with 1536.
Decathlon, Day 1, Shot Put
Ryan Harlan, 2008 US Olympic Trials, photo by PhotoRun.netRyan Harlan lead the shot put with a mighty throw of 16.49m, his series was 16.49, 16.23m, and a foul. Aleksey Drozdov of Russia threw 16.17m, with a series of foul, 16.17m, and foul.
Pascal Behrenbruch of Germany in fourth with his 16.01m. Dmitriy Karpov of Kazakstan threw 15.69m for fifth and Hadi Sepehrzad of Iran with a throw of 15.65m.
Roman Sebrle is in seventh with a throw of 15.20m, Maurice Smith of Canada in eighth with throw of 15.15m, and Trey Hardee of the US in ninth with a throw of 15.09m.
In group b, Leonel Suarez of Cuba lead, with a throw of 14.54, his seasonal best. Ashton Eaton was second with a throw of 14.44m.
After three events, Trey Hardee leads with 2,680 points. Ashton Eaton is in second with 2,665 points. Oleksiy Kayanov of the Ukraine is in third in 2,629. Aleksy Drozdov of Russia in fourth with 2,570 points. Jan Felix Knobel of Germany with 2,562 in fifth. In sixth, Canada’s Damian Warner with 2,542. Roman Sebrle is in thirteenth with 2, 494. Ryan Harlan of the US is 24th with 2,418 points.
Decathlon, Day 1, High Jump
Thomas Van Der Plaetsen won group 1 in the high jump, getting 822 points and clearing 2.17m on his third attempt-his personal best.
Aleksey Drozdov of Russia cleared 2.14m, a seasonal best, for 934 points. Leonel Suarez of Cuba cleared 2.05m, for 850 points. Roman Sebrle, the Olympic champion, cleared 2.05m for 850 points. Ryan Harlan of the US cleared 2.02m for 822 points. Ashton Eaton, tied for seventh, also cleared 2.02m, on his third attempt, for 822 points.
In Group b, Trey Hardee cleared 2.02m for 822 points. Damian Warner of Canada also cleared 2.02m for 822 points, and was second in the group. Maurice Smith of Jamaica was eighth in 1.96m and 740 points.
After four events, Aleksey Drozdov of Russia lead with 3,504, Trey Hardee was second with 3,502, Ashton Eaton was third in 3,487 and Thomas Van Der Plaetsen of Belgium is fourth in 3,440.
Decathlon, Day 1, 400 meters
Ashton Eaton blasted the 400 meters, running 46.99 for 959 points. He needed to run well. Larbi Bouraada of Algeria ran a seasonal best of 47.34 for 922 points. Mihail Dudas of Serbia ran 47.73 for 891 points. Trey Hardee ran 48.37 for 891 points and fourth place.
In heat 2, Eelco Sintnicolaas of the Netherlands ran 48.35, seasonal best for 892 points. Luiz Alberto De Araujo of Brazil ran 48.48, his personal best for 886 points. Leonel Suarez of Cuba ran 49.17 for third, and 853 points. Thomas Van Der Plaetsen ran 49.46 for fifth place, and 840 points.
Jan Felix Knobel of Germany ran 49.46 for 840 points in heat 3. Maurice Smith of Jamaica was fifth with 50.27 and 802 points.
Pascal Behrenbruch won heat 4 with 49.90 for 819 points. Mikk Pahapill ran 50.65 for 785 points.
So, at the end of day, Ashton Eaton leads with 4,444 points. Trey Hardee, the defending champion, is second with 4,393 points. Oleksiy Kasyanov is third with 4,310 points.Thomas Van Der Plaetsen is fourth with 4,280 points. Mihail Dudas of Serbia is fifth with 4,274 points. Aleksey Drozdov is sixth with 4,257 points. Leonel Suarez of Cuba is seventh with 4,202 points. Larbi Bourdaada of Algeria is eighth with 4,185 points. Damian Warner of Canada is ninth with 4,173 points. In tenth place, Jan Felix Knobel of Germany has 4,169 points.
Time for all good decathlete to rehydrate, fuel up and take a short rest, day two is twelve hours away!
Men’s Decathlon, 2011 WC Decathlon, 00 meters: Eaton, Freimuth, Hardee, photo by PhotoRun.net
