by Larry Eder
Blanka Vlasic, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, photo by PhotoRun.net
Shkolina, 2010 Zurich, photo by PhotoRun.net
Teddy Tamgho, 2011 Lausanne, photo by PhotoRun.net
KENYAN TEAM FOR DAEGU
NAIROBI (KEN): Kenya
named a strong squad of 55 for the World Championship in Daegu,
South Korea next month and
another one team of 99 runners who will take part in the All Africa Games in
September in Maputo, Mozambique as the curtains came
down on the national championship staged at the Nyayo National Stadium. As
usual, several of the top names in the country were strong enough to secure
their berths, but numerous saw their hopes fade with each lap and will have to
wait for a year before they can have a chance to make another attempt, this
time round for the Olympics games in London
in 2012. Top names like David Rudisha, the world 800m record holder, Vivian
Cheruiyot, Ezekeiel Kemboi were all included in the star studded team , which
will seek to improve on the third place the country finished in the last
championship in Berlin
in 2009. “It was crucial; for me to make the team to Daegu. I still have one
race in Monaco
and then I will head back home to immerse myself in training hoping that I will
emerge stronger at the world championships,” said Rudisha. However, some big
names were left scratching their scalps after they failed to weather the storm
including World Indoor 1,500m champion Haron Keitany, Olympic 3,000m
steeplechase silver medallist Eunice Jepkorir and Daniel Kipchirchir Komen, the
former world indoor 1,500m silver medallist. Vivian Cheruiyot and Linet Masai
will double in Daegu in 5/10 combination.
The team will start its training on July 25 at the Moi International
Sports Centre, Kasarani. The Daegu team: Men – Vincent Kiplagat Kosgei (400m
Hurdles), David Rudisha, Jackson Kivuva,
Alfred Kirwa Yego (800m), Silas Kiplagat, Asbel Kiprop, Nixon Chepseba (1,500m),
Isaiah Kiplagat, Thomas Longosiwa, Eliud Kipchoge (5,000m), Brimin Kipruto,
Richard Matelong, Abraham Chirchir, Ezekiel Kemboi (3,000m SC), Peter Kirui, Wilson Kiprop, Martin Irungu
(10,000m), Eliud Kiptanui, Abel Kirui, Vincent Kipruto, Benjamin Kiptoo Kolum,
David Barmasai Tumo (marathon). David Kimutai, Josphat Sirma (20km Walk),
Anderson Mureta, Mark Mutai, Vincent Mumo, Vincent Kiplagat, Jackson Kivuva,
Julius Kirwa, Jonathan Kibet (Reserve) (4x400m). Women – Janet Jepkosgei,
Eunice Sum, Jerono Koech (800
m), Nancy Lagat, Viola Kibiwott, Hellen Obiri, (1500 m), Milcah Chemos,
Lydia Rotich, Mercy Njoroge (3,000m Sc), Sylvia Kibet, Linet Masai, Mercy
Cherono, Vivian Cheruiyot (5,000m), Vivian Cheruiyot, Sally Kipyego, Priscah
Jepleting, Linet Masai (10,000m). Edna Kiplagat, Philes Ongori, Sharon Cherop,
Prisca Jeptoo, Caroline Rotich (Marathon), Grace Wanjiru, Emily Ngii (20 km walk). Informs Elias
Makori.
S. KIPLAGAT WORLD LEADING 3:31.39
NAIROBI (KEN, Jul 16): Top result by Silas Kiplagat clocking a world
lead 3:31.39 at 1500 m
ahead of olympic winner Asbel Kiprop 3:32.26 and Daniel Kipchirchir Komen
3:32.47. Fourth Collins Cheboi 3:33.94
beating Nixon Chepseba 3:33.96 (was selected for Daegu as world leader until
the trials). Olympic winner Brimin Kipruto clocked to win the steeple during
final day of Kenyan championships in 8:20.19 ahead of Richard Mateelong 8:21.39
and Abraham Chirchir getting the third spot in 8:22.34 (world champion Ezekiel
Kemboi was not forced to run). First non-qualifier is Willy Komen 8:22.63
followed by Abel Mutai 8:27.49, again non-qualified is world leader Paul
Kipsiele Koech. World record holder David Rudisha impressed with 1:43.76 win at
800 m
beating Jackson Kivuva 1:44.40 and 2007 World champ Alfred Kirwa Yego 1:44.76.
Fourth Job Kinyor 1:45.07 ahead of World junior champion David Mutua 1:45.55.
Here Boaz Lalang was only 8th 1:46.88. In the 5000 m junior Isaiah Koech
won in 13:21.31 ahead of Thomas Longosiwa 13:22.89 and former world champion
Eliud Kipchoge 13:23.48 (going to his 5th world championships). Anderson Mureta
won the 400 m
in 45.70 and was also the best in the 200 m (21.07). Super fast 1:18:20 Kenyan record
in walking by David Kimutai. Janeth Jepkosgei won the 800 m in 1:59.34 beating
Eunice Sum 1:59.66 and Cherono Koech 1:59.68. Sylvia Kibet was the best in the 5000 m 15:38.5 ahead of
Linet Masai 15:40.5 and Mercy Cherono 15:42.4. Hellen Obiri was the surprise 1500 m winner in 4:08.68
ahead of Joyce Chepkirui 4:08.80 and olympic winner Nancy Langat 4:08.90.
Diamond race leader Milcah Chemos clocked 9:32.0 to win the steeple over Lydia Rotich
9:32.2 and Mercy Njoroge 9:34.0. Another Kenyan walking record in women 20 km when Grace Wanjiru
achieved 1:28:15. With the help from Elias Makori.
PETRE GETS 198 IN THE HIGH JUMP
OSTRAVA (CZE,
Jul 16): In total 15 finals were staged during third day of 8th European U23
Championships. Romanian Esthera Petre equalled the championships record with
excellent 198 third attempt clearance and improved her best by 6 cm. She also had good jumps
at two metres. Ukrainian Oksana Okuneva as second also improved to 194 and
third Burcu Ayhan of Turkey
improved her own national record to 194. Another gold for Romania as
Bianca Perie won the hammer with meet record 71.59. Pawel Wojciechowski of Poland beat
Germans in the pole vault with 570 outdoor PB (and two good attempts at 585). Germany
celebrated both javelin wins. World junior champion Till Woschler improved to
84.38 beating Fatih Avan of Turkey
(84.11) and Russian Dmitriy Tarabin (83.18). Sarah Mayer with 59.29 life-time
best beat the favorite Vira Rebryk of Ukraine (58.95). Ukrainian Darya
Pizhankova after beeing second at 100
m won the 200
m in 23.20 (-1.0). In the men´s 200 m Stefanos-Likourgos
Tsakonas of Greece
improved to 20.56 (-1.4) and beat 100
m winner James Alaka 20.60 (20.59 PB in the semis) and
Czech Pavel Maslak (20.67, in the semis 20.66 improvement). Both hurdles finals
ended with a surprise. Russian favorite Konstantin Shabanov did not qualify for
the final and the win went to his team-mate Sergey Shubenkov (13.56, -0.4)
ahead of impressively improved Hungarian Balazs Baji (13.58). Belarus Alina
Talay beat in women final with 12.91 (-1.0) the Swiss European senior leader
Lisa Urech (13.00). Russian favorite Olga Topilskaya won the 400 m (51.45) and Briton
Nigel Levine improved on his medal since 2009 to 46.10 win after close finish
with Brian Gregan of Ireland (46.12 PB). Ukrainian favorites dominated the
women 400 m
hurdles as Anna Yaroshchuk clocked 54.77 to beat Hana Titimets (54.91). Third
Briton Meghan Beasley improved to 55.69 and fourth Vera Barbosa of Portugal
clocked national senior record 55.81. In the men´s Jack Green won with 49.13
over his British team-mate Nathan Woodward who was leading but stumbled at the
last hurdle (49.28). Third in Serbian U23 record Emir Bekric 49.61. Second long
distance gold for Norway
for Sindre Buraas winning slow 5000
m in 14.22.69 and Turkish women steeple win for Gulcan
Mingir in 9:47.83. Czech Katerina Cachova leads the heptathlon after first day
with 3617 just two points ahead of Yana Maksimava of Belarus (3615). Russian
European indoor champion Darya Klishina impressed in the long jump
qualification with 681 (-0.8).
ISINBAYEVA 460 CM
HEUSDEN (BEL, Jul 16): The KBC Nacht van de Atletiek (EA Premium)
registered the return of world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia.
She cleared in rainy conditions 450 and 460 in first and missed three times at 470. Her
next meet is scheduled for Lignano,
Italy on
Tuesday. Second German Carolin Hingst achieved also 460 but in third attempt.
Kenyan Albert Rop clocked 13:10.37 to win the 5000 m over David Bett
13:13.66 and Ugandan Abraham Kiplimo 13:14.33. William Biwott Tanui won the 1500 m in 3:35.93. And third
Kenyan win for Anthony Chemut in the 800 m (1:45.74) beating US Tyler Mulder
1:46.05. South African Thuso Mpuang was the best in the 200 m (20.76, +2.4) and US
Fred Townsend the 110 m
hurdles (13.43, +1.6). South African Cornel Fredericks dominated the 400 m hurdles in 49.25.
Steeple win for Ben Bruce of USA
8:26.16, in the 4×400 m Belgium
with Duerinck, J. Borlee, Gillet and K. Borlee achieved 3:02.81 ahead of South Africa
getting Daegu standard 3:03.37 what opens the door also for Oscar Pistorius to
be selected. Impressive 11.15 (0.0) by Bahamian world medalist Debbie
Ferguson-McKenzie ahead of Barbara Pierre 11.18 in the women 100 m. Ethiopian Almensch
Belete won the 5000 m
in 15:09.71 ahead of Genet Ayalew of Ethiopia 15:10.45.
SHKOLINA BEATS VLASIC
EBERSTADT (GER, Jul 16): Russian Svetlana Shkolina cleared 199 and won
after jump-off the women competition at the 33rd Eberstadt High Jump meet. It
is her outdoor personal best and second best mark this year in the world.
Supported by 1000 spectators Blanka Vlasic was second (197, she passed 199 and
tried at 201) and Nigerian Doreen Amata third with 195 (national record
equalled). Fourth Marina Aitova of Kazakhstan
(193) ahead of Emma Green-Tregaro of Sweden (also 193). All top three
cleared 195 in
first. At 197 Amata passed and Shkolina with Vlasic cleared in first. At 199
Amata and Shkolina were not succesfull and Vlasic passed and was also not
jumping 201. To establish the winner a jump-off was necessary. It started at
199 and Shkolina cleared.
OTHER RESULTS
RATINGEN (GER, Jul 16): Algerian Larbi Bouraada leads the
decathlon at IAAF Combined Events Challenge meet in Ratingen with good score of 4409 points.
Nearly 3300 spectators saw Rico Freimuth at the second place 4228 and South
African Willem Coertzen third 4192. World medalist Jennifer Oeser has after
first 3851 leading score ahead Aige Grabuste of Latvia 3758 and Remona Fransen
of Netherlands 3720 (186 in
high jump).
MAYAGUEZ (PUR, Jul 15): In the Friday´s 100 m finals during first day
of CAC Championships both gold medals for Trinidad
sprinters. Keston Bledman clocked 10.05 (-0.5) to win the men´s race ahead of
Daniel Bailey of Antigua 10.11 and world junior champion Dexter Lee of Jamaica
10.18. Semoy Hackett was the best in women´s race in 11.27 (+0.5) beating two
Jamaicans Jura Levy 11.36 and Simone Facey 11.39.
VELLETRI (ITA, Jul 15): US Richard Jones clocked at International meet
here 1:47.36 at 800 m.
PADOVA (ITA, Jul 16): The EA Classic meeting “Città di Padova” started
on Saturday with a hammer competition won by US Amber Campbell 67.98 beating
Italian Silvia Salis 67.69.
VARAZDIN (CRO, Jul 16): Hungarian Robert Fazekas achieved here 63.26 in discus and new
Slovenian import Brent LaRue won the 400 m in 46.40.
NANCHANG (CHN, Jul 16): During first day of National GP
final meet Gong Lijiao improved her season best in shot put to 20.11. Wang Yu
cleared 228 life-time best in the high jump.
BARCELONA (ESP, Jul 16): Angel David Rodriguez won the
Trofeu Nemesi Ponsati meet at 100
m in 10.40 (-0.8) and clocked fast 10.29 (-0.3) in the
heats.
OTHER NEWS
OSTRAVA (CZE): Triple jump star Teddy Tamgho injured
his ankle in the warm-up for the qualification Saturday morning at European U23
Championships in Ostrava.
A MRI after his arrival back to France
will decide about the nature of the injury. It is expected that Daegu World
Championships will not be in danger.
BIRMINGHAM (GBR):
UK Athletics has confirmed it is staying in Birmingham,
rather than moving to the London Olympic
stadium, when it leaves its office in Solihull
this October. The national governing
body for track and field will take up residence at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium in October,
moving into the new and as yet unnamed grandstand which was opened on Sunday
for the Samsung Diamond League meeting, taking the stadium’s capacity to
12,500. Informs Insidethegames.
LONDON (GBR): Latest Pat Butcher´s blog at www.globerunner.org called new biography
of John Tarrant.
