by Larry EderThe Osaka World Champs is about to begin. On day one, the men’s marathon, two rounds of the mens’ 100 meters, the women’s heptathlon, women’s steeplechase, mens’ 1500 round 1, and men’s shot put final and women’s 10,000 final end the day. A perfect day to showcase the fastest, the strongest and the most determined…..
Anyone who tries to predict a championship marathon is verging on insanity. The race, starting at 7 am, and traversing the city of Osaka, will be determined over the last 5k or so by a group of experienced championship marathoners. My picks are Julio Rey of Spain, Hendrick Raamala of South Africa, and one surprise. With temperatures over 80 and one hundred percent humidty, it will be a very, very tough race. A chess game in a sauna might be a better way to describe the Osaka men’s marathon..
The men’s 100 meter rounds puts put Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay, which should be a real highlight of the meet. But don’t my friends, forget about Derrick Adkins, who has been quietly running his own hot summer. The championships 100 meters tends to have two superstars and then someone new. Adkins is serious and he is a threat if the two guys in front forget the fact that, if they are stupid, they open the race to anyone who makes the final.
In the 1,500 meters for men, I have sacrificed one goat, two musk oxens and pure breed Guernsey cow to insure that Alan Webb runs smart through the rounds. Bernard Lagat needs to keep his energy up as he has the 5,000 meters too. Over twenty guys with personal bests under 3:34? No matter, Craig Masback, CEO of USATF predicted a 3:33 wining time in the final. I am predicting a 1:46 last 800 meters in the finals but first, the guys have to make the finals!
And then, the big guys, okay, I like Reese Hoffa! How can you not like a guy who does a centerfold photo holding a smoked turkey leg as big as his sixteen pound shot? Adam Nelson should medal and Ralf Bartels should also be in the game.
The women’s 10,000 meters is the beginning of Tirunesh Dibaba and her quest for history–defending her 5000m and 10,000 m titles. Dibaba can kick off any pace, but she is race shy this year. Still Dibaba and her sister should go 1-2 and keep the tradition: Since 1999, the winner of the women’s 10,000 meters has come from Ethiopia!
For a more lucid preview, check out the words of James Dunaway, editor of American Track & Field as he writes for the iaaf.org: http://osaka2007.iaaf.org/news/kind=2/newsid=40365.html#osaka+2007+daily+preview+day+one+aug.
News Flash: Tyson Gay launches his own website! Tyson Gay launched http://www.tysongay.net/on Friday.
The press release, from Global Athletics & Marketing, the firm that represents Tyson, mentions that Tyson wanted to show his fans what he does on and off the track. A quick review of the site shows good graphics ease of navigation and some good informaition! Check it out!
