The Weltklasse lived up to its hype, with some absolutely stunny performances! Here are my favorites:
Men's 5,000 meters: Tariku Bekele takes this one in 12;55.03. But, duking it out with Imane
Merga for second is Chris Solinsky. Merga held him off, 12:56.33 to 12:56.45. Solinsky ran his third sub 13 minute 5,000 meters of the year, tying Bernard Lagat for the most sub 13 minute
5,000 meters by an American in one season! But it was Solinsky's racing, actually racing, that
brought tears to fan's eyes. The guy is a racer! In fifth place, Mo Farah ran his first sub 13 minutes for 5,000m in grand style: his 12;57.94 took down the 28 year old British record of 13:00.41 by David Moorcroft! Galen Rupp finished 12th, running 13:07.34, another pb for the former Duck.
Men's 5,000 meters: Tariku Bekele takes this one in 12;55.03. But, duking it out with Imane
Merga for second is Chris Solinsky. Merga held him off, 12:56.33 to 12:56.45. Solinsky ran his third sub 13 minute 5,000 meters of the year, tying Bernard Lagat for the most sub 13 minute
5,000 meters by an American in one season! But it was Solinsky's racing, actually racing, that
brought tears to fan's eyes. The guy is a racer! In fifth place, Mo Farah ran his first sub 13 minutes for 5,000m in grand style: his 12;57.94 took down the 28 year old British record of 13:00.41 by David Moorcroft! Galen Rupp finished 12th, running 13:07.34, another pb for the former Duck.
Solinsky, the gladiator, DN Galan 5,000m, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Men's 200 meters: Is it just me, or does Wallace Spearmon look like an 800 meter runner with a devestating kick, waiting for the last 50 meters! One observer noted, " There was no way, at 150 meters that Spearmon was going to get Yohan Blake, no way!" Waaaaay! Spearmon possesses an innate ability to dance on the volcano, the guy can go from 0-90 in four strides and his thin physique hides an enormous powertrain. Wallace Spearmon could be the spoiler in 2011 and 2012. He will always suck over 100 meters (not long enough), but the 200 meters is just, well, made for him.
Wallace Spearmon, On fire, USA outdoor 200m, photorun.net.
Men's 400 meters: Jeremy Wariner has, well, been out of sorts for the past couple years. Tonight may have been his best race since 2006. Running a controlled first half the race, Wariner hit the 200 meters in about equal fourth place. Working the third hundred meters (where have you heard this before?), Jeremy Wariner came off the final turn on Jermaine
Gonzales shoulder. That was all she wrote. Wariner ran that last hundred meters like he was
being on fire (think Kings of Leon here), and running text book blazing last hundred meters, ala Clyde Hart (Bud Winter is smiling from heaven), a relaxed Jeremy Wariner is finally running like the champion and potential WR he is. Wariner's reward for running his race: 44.13
world leader. I still think that Wariner should run 800 meters, but for now, I will let him alone,
he looked superb!
Jeremy Wariner, mid-air, Lausanne, photorun.net.
Men's 110 m hurdles: Sitting on a bus to the adidas GP, then the Rbk GP, with Renaldo Nehemiah, I was struck by Renaldo talking about big guys, like Roger Kingdom, getting into
shape and just flying down the track, disintegrating hurdles as he went. Last weekend, I was
interviewing Brooks Johnson, David Oliver's coach in London. David literally just bounced into the coffee shop, totally excited about racing. In speaking with Johnson, it was obvious that his
task had been to get the big guy in shape, focus his mind and get him over those hurdles and between those hurdles as fast as possible. This summer, 12.99, 12.98, 12.92, 12.89, 12.88, and today, 12.93, and he rolled across the finish line! Oliver is going to destroy the world record, in the right conditions, on the right day. But tonight, David Oliver looked like a freight train, not stopping for anything!
Men's high jump: With a strong resemblance to the guitarist Alvin Lee (Ten Years After), the Russian is an enigma. The guy is just a dynamo over the high jump. He and Jesse Williams are having grand battles all over Europe this summer, and they get to that 2.29m and somehow forget how high they are jumping. Ukhov and Williams are going to get into a high jump competition where 2.40m will feel like 2.29 and watch out.
Men's long jump: Watching the meet on Russian TV, it seemed to me that the long jump squad was having an issue with the plasticene! Tomlinson must have given up six inches and
Rief, dear God, did at least eight inches on one of his jumps. Dwight Phillips jumped 8.20m on his first jump, then proceeded to have jumps that should have been longer, especially his last. Fabrice Lapierre had a NM day and Andrew Howe seemed to just be watching the competition. Phillips really enjoys competing.
Men's Shot Put: Five days after his loss at AVIVA, Christian Cantwell won here in 21.78m, with Adam Nelson in second in 21.28m, with Olympic champ Tomasz Majewksi in third. Cantwell improved, each round, his foot feeling much better than last Saturday.
Christian Cantwell, Greece 2009, photorun.net.
Men's Discus: Robert Harting is the Henry Rollins of the discus. (Remember, former Black Flag front man, then, and now, political essayist, and bad guy in The Sons of Anarchy). Well, Robert put the website to the side (check out his site), won a oh so close competitions over
Piotr Malachowski, his recent nemesis.
Men's 4 x 100m Relay: The US just did it! Trell Kimmons to Wallace Spearmon. Spearmon ran up Tyson Gay's butt so far, he could see the label on his speed suit. But, Tyson took off, burning that turn so that Mike Rodgers could relax and take it home. "Go, go, go!" is what Tyson said as the world's fastest man in 2010 ran right up Mike Rodger's speedsuit. Safe hand offs, with just a bit more, I could smell an American record!
Women's 100m: For unbridled competition, I did not think anything would be VCB versus Allyson Felix from the adidas GP. Well, was I smoking Pall Malls! Veronica Campbell Brown and Carmelita Jeter threw everything at the other, but the kitchen sink and it came down to an ooooh, sooooo close photo finish, where VCB gets the nod, and two women run 10.89? Marshevet Myers showed that she was no slouch either, her 10.97 a smart improvement over
last weekend.
Women's 400 meters: Allyson Felix is, in my mind, the best 400 meter women runner in the world. Her speed over the 100 meters and 200 meters helps, but it is her complete understanding of the event (courtesy of Bob Kersee), and her uncanny ability to race in all conditions. Coaches take note, Allyson does not loose her form at the end of a race, check out the video on AVIVA London 400m-a classic and this run to the finish by Debbie Dunn was a classic!
Allyson Felix, AVIVA London, photorun.net.
Women's 1,500 meters: After watching this race, I checked the channel, because I thought I was watching either WWF or Roller Derby! Just as the race was getting exciting, Morgan Uceny showed the racing savvy she has shown all season, and moved up to dangerous third place, and looked to be clipped, and then slid under Lisa Dobrisky. Uceny out, Pierce out, and what was going on with those pacemakers? Nancy Langat got out for first, Gelete Burka in second and yes, that was Stephanie Twell and Lisa Dobrisky in third and fourth. Shannon Rowbury was the first American in 4:05.48, in front of the incandescent Russian Alminova.
Women's 100m hurdles: Priscilla Lopes Schleip showed that last weekend was a portent of
the future. Nytra had a strong start, with LoLo Jones working hard to catch up. Just as Jones
went to take over, Lopes Schleip just blew by, running a world leading 12.52. Jones tightened up as Nytra got her as well. Long season, but it was obviousl LoLo was not a happy camper.
Women's 400 meter hurdles: Jamaica's Kaliese Spencer, fresh off her win from last weekend, improved from 53.78 at AVIVA to 53.33. Spencer is a real hurdler and can run
a 52 spot before the end of the season. She needs to get in a race with LaShinda Demus
the US star. A tip of the hat to Queen Harrison, who was first told, no 100m hurdles race, so
went out to work out, and then was asked if she cared to run the 400m hurdles. Borrowing
a singlet, in half tights and spikes, Harrison ran 56.68 for the 400 m hurdles!
Women's pole vault: After a weekend of low heights, Fabiana Murer of Brazil, and Svetlana Feofanova, went 4.81m to 4.71m to control the women's pole vault. With the absence of
Jenn Suhr, it seems that either her training is not there, or her injuries must be back.
Women's shot put: Nadzeya Ostapchuk of Belarus won here, 20.63 to Valerie Adams, 20.02m and Jillian Camarena-Williams, in third, in 19.50m.
Women's javelin throw: Linda Obergfull won here, with a throw over 67 meters. Barbora Spotakova won the DL in second, just over 65.34m. In ninth, Kara Patterson, the new AR
holder, who threw farther than she ever had in a championship situation, up til this year.
Patterson has three more competitions this year.
Kara Patterson, AVIVA London, PhotoRun.net.
19/08/2010
Weltklasse Zürich
Zürich, 19/08/2010
Men' results
100 Metres - Men Race 1 Wind: -1.0 m/s
1 Lawal-Balogun , Jeffrey GBR 10.37
2 Connaughton , Jared CAN 10.39
3 Schenkel , Reto SUI 10.58
4 Kubaczyk , Robert POL 10.59
5 Codrington , Giovanni NED 10.64
6 Mancini , Pascal SUI 10.69
7 Beyene , Aron ERI 10.73
8 Masztak , Kamil POL 10.83
9 Philip , Lindell NED 10.92
100 Metres - Men Race 2 Wind: -0.8 m/s
1 Kimmons , Trell USA 9.95
2 Rodgers , Mike USA 10.12
3 Effah , Sam CAN 10.19
4 Devonish , Marlon GBR 10.26
5 Davies , Matt AUS 10.45
Rouge-Serret , Aaron AUS DQ
Lewis-Francis , Mark GBR DQ
Frater , Michael JAM DNF
Forsythe , Mario JAM DNF
200 Metres - Men Wind: +0.4 m/s
Pts
1 Spearmon , Wallace USA 19.79 8
2 Blake , Yohan JAM 19.86 4
3 Bailey , Ryan USA 20.10 2
4 Mullings , Steve JAM 20.11
5 Saidy Ndure , Jaysuma NOR 20.29
6 Carter , Xavier USA 20.38
7 Martina , Churandy AHO 20.40
8 Schneeberger , Marc SUI 20.55
400 Metres - Men
Pts
1 Wariner , Jeremy USA 44.13 8
2 Gonzales , Jermaine JAM 44.51 4
3 Taylor , Angelo USA 44.72 2
4 Chambers , Ricardo JAM 44.96
5 Borlée , Jonathan BEL 45.23
6 Rooney , Martyn GBR 45.67
7 Bingham , Michael GBR 46.00
8 Gillick , David IRL 46.05
5000 Metres - Men
Pts
1 Bekele , Tariku ETH 12:55.03 8
2 Merga , Imane ETH 12:56.34 4
3 Solinsky , Chris USA 12:56.45 2
4 Chepkok , Vincent Kiprop KEN 12:57.77
5 Farah , Mohammed GBR 12:57.94
6 Soi , Edwin Cheruiyot KEN 12:58.91
7 Masai , Moses Ndiema KEN 13:02.45
8 Yator , Vincent Kipsegechi KEN 13:04.50
9 Rotich , Lucas Kimeli KEN 13:04.85
10 Bett , David Kiprotich KEN 13:06.06
11 Kipchoge , Eliud KEN 13:07.06
12 Rupp , Galen USA 13:07.35
13 Mbishei , Titus Kipjumba KEN 13:13.81
14 Cheshari , Jacob Korir KEN 13:15.93
15 Mutahi , Sammy Alex KEN 13:16.60
16 Thompson , Christopher GBR 13:28.43
Kiptoo , Mark Kosgey KEN DNF
Komen , Daniel Kipchirchir KEN DNF
Birgen , Bethwell KEN DNF
3000 Metres Steeplechase - Men
Pts
1 Kemboi , Ezekiel KEN 8:01.74 8
2 Koech , Paul Kipsiele KEN 8:05.48 4
3 Tahri , Bouabdellah FRA 8:07.20 2
4 Kiplagat , Benjamin UGA 8:08.70
5 Mateelong , Richard Kipkemboi KEN 8:09.25
6 Shaheen , Saif Saaeed QAT 8:09.63
7 Kipruto , Brimin Kiprop KEN 8:10.02
8 Mekhissi-Benabbad , Mahiedine FRA 8:10.50
9 Luchianov , Ion MDA 8:19.91
10 Szymkowiak , Tomasz POL 8:24.58
11 Kitum , Silas Kosgei KEN 8:25.82
12 Blanco , José Luis ESP 8:26.29
13 Huling , Daniel USA 8:36.66
Kipterege , Elijah Chelimo KEN DNF
Langat , Patrick Kipkirui KEN DNF
Lagat , Haron KEN DNF
110 Metres Hurdles - Men Wind: -0.3 m/s
Pts
1 Oliver , David USA 12.93 8
2 Thomas , Dwight JAM 13.25 4
3 Wilson , Ryan USA 13.26 2
4 Svoboda , Petr CZE 13.30
5 Brown , Joel USA 13.31
6 Darien , Garfield FRA 13.34
7 Richardson , Jason USA 13.34
8 Turner , Andrew GBR 13.36
9 Sharman , William GBR 13.51
High Jump - Men
Pts
1 Ukhov , Ivan RUS 2.29 8
2 Williams , Jesse USA 2.26 4
3 Shustov , Aleksandr RUS 2.26 2
4 Dmitrik , Aleksey RUS 2.26
5 Rybakov , Yaroslav RUS 2.26
6 Thomas , Donald BAH 2.26
7 Nartov , Oleksandr UKR 2.23
8 Bernard , Martyn GBR 2.20
9 B√°ba , Jaroslav CZE 2.20
10 Jonas , Dusty USA 2.15
Long Jump - Men
Pts Wind
1 Phillips , Dwight USA 8.20 8 -0.3
2 Reif , Christian GER 8.11 4 -0.1
3 Tomlinson , Christopher GBR 7.97 2 +0.2
4 Shalin , Pawel RUS 7.88 +0.0
5 Howe , Andrew ITA 7.88 -0.2
6 Sdiri , Salim FRA 7.84 +0.2
7 Gomis , Kafétien FRA 7.29 -0.9
Lapierre , Fabrice AUS NM
Shot Put - Men
1 Cantwell , Christian USA 21.87
2 Nelson , Adam USA 21.29
3 Majewski , Tomasz POL 21.28
4 Hoffa , Reese USA 21.08
5 Armstrong , Dylan CAN 20.95
6 Bartels , Ralf GER 20.65
7 Taylor , Daniel USA 20.37
8 Storl , David GER 20.08
Martin , Cory USA NM
Discus Throw - Men
Pts
1 Harting , Robert GER 68.64 8
2 Malachowski , Piotr POL 68.48 4
3 Pestano , Mario ESP 66.49 2
4 Kövágó , Zoltán HUN 65.32
5 Kanter , Gerd EST 65.20
6 Malone , Casey USA 64.49
7 Alekna , Virgilijus LTU 64.39
8 Young , Jason USA 62.87
9 Israel , Märt EST 62.64
4x100 Metres Relay - Men
1 United States USA 37.45
2 Jamaica JAM 37.76
3 Great Britain & N.I. GBR 38.41
4 Canada CAN 38.74
5 Switzerland SUI 38.81
6 Poland POL 39.27
7 Australia AUS 39.45
8 Netherlands NED 40.13
Women' results
100 Metres - Women Wind: +0.0 m/s
Pts
1 Campbell-Brown , Veronica JAM 10.89 8
2 Jeter , Carmelita USA 10.89 4
3 Myers , Marshevet USA 10.97 2
4 Baptiste , Kelly-Ann TRI 11.11
5 Simpson , Sherone JAM 11.18
6 Okagbare , Blessing NGR 11.19
7 Sailer , Verena GER 11.25
8 Okparaebo , Ezinne NOR 11.45
9 Soumaré , Myriam FRA 11.56
400 Metres - Women
Pts
1 Felix , Allyson USA 50.37 8
2 Dunn , Debbie USA 50.57 4
3 Montsho , Amantle BOT 50.63 2
4 Williams , Shericka JAM 50.73
5 Williams-Mills , Novlene JAM 50.80
6 Firova , Tatyana RUS 51.02
7 Grenot , Libania ITA 51.07
8 Ustalova , Kseniya RUS 52.07
1500 Metres - Women
Pts
1 Langat , Nancy Jebet KEN 4:01.01 8
2 Burka , Gelete ETH 4:02.26 4
3 Twell , Stephanie GBR 4:02.54 2
4 Dobriskey , Lisa GBR 4:02.92
5 Jelagat , Irene KEN 4:03.76
6 Busienei , Janeth Jepkosgei KEN 4:04.17
7 Arigawe , Abeba ETH 4:05.05
8 Rowbury , Shannon USA 4:05.48
9 Alminova , Anna RUS 4:05.82
10 Kibiwot , Viola Jelagat KEN 4:06.13
11 Cakir , Asli TUR 4:08.39
12 Wurth-Thomas , Christin USA 4:09.37
Pierce , Anna USA DNF
Belete , Mimi BRN DNF
Uceny , Morgan USA DNF
Cummins , Diane CAN DNF
100 Metres Hurdles - Women Wind: -0.2 m/s
1 Lopes-Schliep , Priscilla CAN 12.53
2 Nytra , Carolin GER 12.69
3 Jones , LoLo USA 12.81
4 Urech , Lisa SUI 12.81
5 Vukicevic , Christina NOR 12.93
6 Yanit , Nevin TUR 12.94
7 O'Rourke , Derval IRL 13.00
8 Snihur , Yevgeniya UKR 13.11
9 Hildebrand , Nadine GER 13.17
400 Metres Hurdles - Women
Pts
1 Spencer , Kaliese JAM 53.33 8
2 Hejnov√° , Zuzana CZE 54.54 4
3 Odumosu , Muizat Ajoke NGR 55.11 2
4 Antyukh , Natalya RUS 55.14
5 Child , Eilidh GBR 55.57
6 Morosanu , Angela ROU 56.43
7 Harrison , Queen USA 56.68
8 Isakova , Yevgeniya RUS 59.87
Pole Vault - Women
Pts
1 Murer , Fabiana BRA 4.81 8
2 Feofanova , Svetlana RUS 4.71 4
3 Spiegelburg , Silke GER 4.61 2
4 Janson , Lacy USA 4.51
5 Ryzih , Lisa GER 4.51
6 Hingst , Carolin GER 4.41
7 Golubchikova , Yuliya RUS 4.41
8 Pt√°cnikov√° , Jirina CZE 4.41
9 Schmid , Anna Katharina SUI 4.21
Shvedova , Anastasiya BLR NM
Long Jump - Women
Pts Wind
1 Reese , Brittney USA 6.89 8 -0.1
2 Kolchanova , Lyudmila RUS 6.73 4 +0.1
3 Pusterla , Irene SUI 6.70 2 -0.5
4 Gomes , Naide POR 6.67 +0.2
5 Radevica , Ineta LAT 6.57 -0.3
6 Klishina , Darya RUS 6.54 +0.0
7 Fountain , Hyleas USA 6.50 -0.1
8 Glenn , Brianna USA 6.45 +0.1
9 Jimoh , Funmi USA 6.37 -0.2
Shot Put - Women
Pts
1 Ostapchuk , Nadzeya BLR 20.63 8
2 Adams , Valerie NZL 20.02 4
3 Camarena-Williams , Jillian USA 19.50 2
4 Mikhnevich , Natallia BLR 19.24
5 Borel-Brown , Cleopatra TRI 19.09
6 Gonz√°lez , Misleydis CUB 18.83
7 Kleinert , Nadine GER 18.55
8 Carter , Michelle USA 18.20
9 Hinrichs , Denise GER 17.96
10 Ivanova , Olga RUS 17.78
Javelin Throw - Women
Pts
1 Obergföll , Christina GER 67.31 8
2 Špotáková , Barbora CZE 65.34 4
3 Stahl , Linda GER 63.30 2
4 Abakumova , Maria RUS 62.51
5 Molitor , Kathrina GER 62.21
6 Palameika , Madara LAT 61.75
7 Viljoen , Sunette RSA 59.95
8 Rebryk , Vira UKR 59.78
9 Patterson , Kara USA 59.50
