Powell 5.64, VCB 6.08, Jones 6.78, Trammel 6.45, Farah Wins 1,500m in Glasgow, by Alfons Juck, note by Larry Eder

POWELL
5.64, VCB 6.08

NEW YORK
(USA, Jan 28): Former World 100 metres record holder Asafa Powell making his
first indoor appearance for eight years won over 50 metres at the US Open meet
in New York. Powell in the rarely contested track event roared to the fastest
time in a decade of 5.64 seconds when beating his training partner and
fellow Jamaican Nesta Carter who clocked 5.67 with Trell Kimmons of the United
States third in 5.68. „It was weird but it was a pretty good time for my
first race of the season,” said Powell after his return to the indoor circuit at
Madison Square Garden. „There’s bigger races ahead but that’s a good way
to begin.” Fellow Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown took the women’s race at a canter
in a time of 6.08 ahead of the USA’s Jessica Young who clocked 6.20 and
Gloria Asumnu of Nigeria who was third in 6.22. Campbell-Brown who will be
chasing a third Olympic Games 200 gold medal in the summer, said: „It’s a step
in the right direction. Each race is just a preparation for what’s to come
this season.” It is 8th best ever performer time for the Jamaican. World indoor
60m hurdles champion Lolo Jones also made an impressive return to action after
a back operation to score a high quality 50m hurdles victory in a time
of 6.78 from Briton Tiffany Porter  (UK
record) and the winner’s US teammate Kellie Wells who clocked 6.83 and 6.84.
World 1500m outdoor silver medallist Silas Kiplagat thwarted the ambitions of
Bernard Lagat who had previously won on eight occasions over the mile in his
appearances at the Garden.  The Kenyan
crossed the line in 4:00.65 with Lagat of the USA finishing 0.27sec in arrears.
Daniel Komen also from Kenya was third in 4:03.82. World champion Jesse
Williams opened the season with 229 and Jillian Schwartz was the best in the
pole vault with 452 (Jenn Suhr no heighted at 452). Ryan Whiting beat Christian
Cantwell (21.16 to 20.72). Former world indoor champion Terrence Trammell
returned to competition in winning style at 50 m hurdles with fast 6.45 over
David Oliver 6.50. Some 6000 watched the new meet at classic place (Madison
Square Garden). With help from David Martin.

FARAH
GOES SUB 3:40

GLASGOW
(GBR, Jan 28):  Mo Farah keeping his
nerve over the final 200 metres circuit scored a solid victory as Great
Britain won the Aviva International Match in Glasgow on Saturday. Farah raced
to a Kelvin Hall stadium 1500 metres record of 3:39.03 just ahead of Kenya’s
Augustine Choge as the host nation won the encounter ahead of Russia, Germany,
a Commonwealth Select side and a very weak Team USA. “It was a good
test, it was a good battle,” said Farah after holding off Choge in a stirring
battle after the former Commonwealth 5000m champion tested him when taking the
lead after 800m before he regained it 200m later. The meet also saw Hellen
Obiri of Kenya set a 2012 world leading 3000m performance 8:42.59 ahead of
Helen Clitheroe 8:45.59.  Russia’s
Konstantin Shabanov achieved European leader 2012 with 7.54 ahead of the USA’s
Dexter Faulk who clocked 7.60 while Great Britain’s Lawrence Clarke
representing the Commonwealth Select posted a PB of 7.67 for third
position. The trio alll defeated World 110m hurdles bronze medallist Andy
Turner who suffering from a recurring Achilles injury limped off the track
after finishing fourth. Hannah England the World 1500m silver medallist also
also suffered a home defeat by 0.02sec at the hands of Germany’s Denise
Krebs who won their tight battle in a time of 4:25.09 with a late
spurt for the line. Russia’s Pavel Trenikhin scored a solid 400m win in
the world’s third fastest time of the year of 46.68 while the women’s race was
clinched by his teammate Julia Terekhova the European under 23 silver medallist
who raced to a lifetime best of 53.12. The ageless Kim Collins made two
appearances but but was beaten initially in the 200m won by Danny Talbot in
21.17 while in the 60m he fell to the sword of Mark Lewis-Francis who held him
off by 0.01 in a time of 6.65. Darya Klishina who slumped to seventh
position at the World Outdoor Championships highlighted the infield
performances winning the long jump with 675 cm. Jeanette Kwakye took the women’s
race in 7.26 and the 2008 World Indoor Championships silver medallist put a massive
Germany’s 2009 European junior 100m champion Yasmin Kwadwo. In the men’s high
jump, Russia’s 2010 European Athletics Championships gold medallist Aleksandr
Shustov was the only man over 2.29m, having no failures until he unsuccessfully
attempted 2.32m. Britain’s Robbie Grabarz, who leapt an impressive world
leading 2.34m in Germany eight days ago, was third this time with 2.26m. German
pole vaulter Karsten Dilla continued his recent run of good form when he
equalled his recent personal best of 5.72m. With help from David Martin and
Phil Minshull.

CHICHEROVA
AGAIN 2 METERS, GREAT COMEBACK OF HELLEBAUT

ANTVERP
(BEL, Jan 28): Some 3000 spectators in the Lotto Arena saw great comeback of
another mother in sport Tia Hellebaut. She cleared 195 and was second at the
Golden High Jump special meet. With that result she also qualified for London
Games and World indoors.  But she was
beaten by World champion Anna Chicherova who went over 2 meters and equaled her
own world lead. Afterwards had good tries at 202 cm. Third Sweden´s Ebba
Jungmark with 192.

SUPERB
3000 M RACE: FIVE UNDER 7:50

BORDEAUX
(FRA, Jan 28): First top international indoor meet of the season in France saw
Lukasz Michalski of Poland winning the pole vault with good 572 ahead of Romain
Mesnil 560. Ethiopian Abiyote Abinet clocked world leading 3000 m 7:44.20 ahead
of French runners with big improvements Yohan Durand 7:44.46 and Yoann Kowal
7:44.63. Under 7:50 also Morhad Amdouni 7:47.88 and Moroccan Aziz Lahbabi
7:49.24. All-time hero Felix Sanchez clocked impressive 49.74 in the rarely
contested 400 m hurdles indoors. He missed his all-time world best only by
0.01. Cuban Yasmani Copello clocked in another race 50.32. Nigerian Ogho Oghene
Egwero was the best in the 60 m 6.70. Moroccan Malika Akkaoui was solid 800 m
women winner 2:01.52 ahead of Russian Yekaterina Kupina 2:01.79. Jamaican
Patricia Hall won the 400 m in 52.39. Ukrainian Oksana Okuneva led four jumpers
with 190 cm. Ruddy Zang Milama of Gabon was the fastest in the 60 m with 7.27
(and 7.25 in heats).

SHIGETOMO
WINS IN 2:23:23

OSAKA
(JPN, Jan 29):  Risa Shigetomo of Tenmaya
track team won the 31st Osaka Women’s Marathon on Sunday January 29, thus took
a step closer to her dream of making the Olympic marathon team in 2:23:23.
Since Eri Yamaguchi, Naoko Sakamoto, and Yurika Nakamura of Tenmaya track team
made the Olympic marathon team in 2000, 2004 and 2008, respectively, Tenmaya as
a team is likely to make it fourth Olympic team in a row.  The prohibitive favorite Kayako Fukushi lost
contact with Shigetomo at 26.5Km and eventually finished disappointing ninth
2:37:35. Second Ukrainian Tetyana Gamera-Shmyrko 2:24:46 and third Azusa Nojiri
2:24:57.

US SATURDAY ACTION: Sanya
51.45, WJR by Nixon

BOSTON:
At Terrier Inviational Lalonde Gordon of Trinidad achieved fast 20.58 in the
200 m. Irish David McCarthy was timed with 3:55.75 in the mile and Leonard
Korir won the 3000m in 7:54.59.

DAYTONA
BEACH: David Payne clocked 7.67 in the 60 m hurdles.

HOUSTON:
At Houston Invitational years fastest 60 m by former world indoor medalist
Laverne Jones-Ferrette 7.08 with Murielle Ahoure distant second 7.23. Zambian
Gerald Phiri clocked 6.65 to win men´s 60 m.

SEATTLE:
World medalist Sally Kipyego achieved 8:47.91 at the 3000 m here at the
oversized track(307 m). Second Katie Flood 8:55.31 and third Canadian Malindi
Elmore 8:59.95 also sub 9 minutes. Canadian Cameron Levins achieved 7:48.25 in
the men´s 3000 m ahead of Briton Chris Thompson 7:49.14. Geena Gall posted
4:34.79 in the mile ahead of Lauren Johnson 4:34.80.

LEXINGTON:
Isiah Young was the 60 m winner at Rod McCravy Invitational with fast 6.62.
Christina Manning got 8.04 in women 60 m hurdles.

UNIVERSITY
PARK: Josh Scott showed good shape at Penn State Invitational with 20.95 and
46.40 double. Casimir Loxsom won the 800 m in 1:48.24 and Jeff See achieved
3:56.51 in the mile. Francena McCorory was fast in the 500 m with 1:09.01.

ALBUQUERQUE:
New Mexico Invitational saw another top shape display by Gil Roberts who
clocked 45.99 in the 400 m. In the second race Frankie Wright also pretty fast
46.22.

AMES:
Harun Abda was the winner of 800 m at the Bill Bergan Invitational with fast
1:46.97 ahead of David Pachuta 1:46.98. The track here is oversized with 300 m.

COLLEGE
STATION:Bahamian Demetrius Pinder clocked impressive 20.53 at the Mondo
Challenge meet in the 200 m. Fastest in the 400 m was Ricky Babineaux 46.87. In
the 800 m Joey Roberts achieved 1:47.14 ahead of Sean Obinwa 1:47.22.
Decathlete Ashton Eaton achieved 7.73 in the 60 m hurdles. Bosnian Kemal Mesic
was the shot put winner with 20.31, his personal best. Gray Horn scored good
5971 points in heptathlon.

FAYETTEVILLE:
After good 200 m on Friday impressive world leading 51.45 for Sanya
Richards-Ross at the 400 m during Razorback Invitational. In heptathlon
talented Gunnar Nixon scored 6022 points what is new world junior indoor
record. His marks: 7.10 – 753 – 13.97 – 215 and second day 8.21, 450 and
2:40.15. Former mark of Spanish Eusebio Caceres was 5984 points from 2010.
Second Kevin Lazas 5920 points and third Cory Holman 5809. Akheem Gauntlett
posted 20.82 in the 200 m and Amaechi Morton 46.38 in the 400 m. Good mile by
Lawi Lalang 3:55.09 and also fast 3000 m for Elliott Heath 7:50.14 ahead of
Chris Derrick 7:50.18.

LINCOLN:
Torrin Lawrence with good 46.89 in the 400 m here.

FLAGSTAFF:
Canadian Kelsie Hendry over 452 cm in the pole vault.

EUROPEAN ACTION: Kasyanov
6237, Sailer 7.24

VALENCIA
(ESP, Jan 28): At Spanish Cup of Clubs Cuban Yunier Perez clocked 6.67 in the
60 m and Didac Silas improved the pole vault national junior record to 540 cm.
Ruth Beitia cleared 190 in the high jump.

PORDENONE
(ITA, Jan 28): Another improvement for Italian hurdler Marzia Caravelli with
8.06 at the 60 m hurdles.

MAGGLINGEN
(SUI, Jan 28): Fast 60 m here by Amaru Schenkel who clocked in heats 6.65 and
won the finals with 6.73.

BACAU
(ROU, Jan 28): Second day of Romanian Grand Prix meet registered good long jump
by Cornelia Deiac 667 cm.

ZAPOROZHYE
(UKR, Jan 28): Yuriy Krimarenko went over 225 at Ukrainian Cup meet, Denis
Yurchenko got 550 in the pole vault, but the top mark was registered in
heptathlon when Oleksiy Kasyanov scored world leading 6237 points in heptathlon
and missed his own national record only by 17 points (6.83; 7.62; 15.38; 2.05 –
7.92, 4.80; 2.45.44). In women´s pentathlon also a high quality score for
Hanna Melnychenko 4513 points (8.35; 1.80; 13.18; 6.14; 2.17.86).

SPALA
(POL, Jan 28): Another Polish junior record for Rafal Smolen in the 400 m
finals with 47.35. Krzysztof Brzozowski improved with 6kg shot to 20.62 m.

JABLONEC
(CZE, Jan 28): Katerina Cechova improved in 60 m to fast 7.33 at the 60 m
during the international meet here. Lucie Skrobakova posted 8.13 at 60 m
hurdles and Roman Novotny leaped to solid 792 in the long jump.

RIJEKA
(CRO, Jan 28): Slovenian Snezana Rodic got here 14.01 in the triple jump.

SINDELFINGEN
(GER, Jan 28): At South German Champs two standards for World Indoors. European
100 m champion Verena Sailer was timed with 7.24 at the 60 m and Kristina
Gadschiew cleared 452 in the pole vault. Tobias Unger was the fastest in the 60
m (6.70).

ISTANBUL
(TUR, Jan 28): Second day of Turkish Championships which also a test for
World Indoors Izzet Safer won the 60 m in 6.83. Yavuz Can posted 47.55 in the
400 m and in women shot put Emel Dereli 16.70 m.

LEE
VALLEY (GBR, Jan 28): At the London games European junior silver medallist
Andrew Pozzi ran 7.66 and 7.67 in the 60 m Hurdles.

TURKU
(FIN, Jan 28): Eemeli Salomäki cleared 550 in the pole vault here.

SAD NEWS

BUDAPEST
(HUN): Legendary hungarian middle distance runner Istvan Rozsavolgyi  died on 27 January 2012 in Tata, at the age
of 83. As middle distance runner he competed at the Olympic Games 1956 (1500m
h) and 1960 (800m h; 1500m 3rd), at the European Champs 1954 (1500m h) and 1958
(1500m 4th). 36 internationals berween 1953-61. World record holder in 1000m
2:19.0 (1955); 1500m 3:40.6 (1956); 2000m 5:02.2 (1955); 4x1500m Relay 15:29.2
(1953), 15:21.2 (1954), 15:14.8 (1955); 4xMile 16:25.2 (1959). European record
holder in 1500m 3:42.2 (1955).