by Alfonz Juck
The 800m will be a tough one, photo by Getty Images/IAAF
The WC are here. In Doha, it is hot, and 5 am as I post this. Less than a day before it all gets crazy! Here’s the EME previews! They always get some good ones!
EME NEWS (SEP 26, 2019) DOHA SPECIAL
Falah the Falcon and air-condition
DOHA (QAT): Athletics World comes to Qatar after GP and DL meetings and World Indoor Championships 2010 again. The 17th edition of the global championships will be for first time in the air-conditioned stadium in the latest time of the year ever in the sign of a falcon. Debut for mixed relay, no morning sessions, marathons and walks after midnight. Great event presentation plans, questionmarks about the public attendance. Total number of events will be the highest with 49. Prize money remains at same levels since introduced in 1997. Of 44 individual winners from the London 2017 eight will not be defending: Wayde van Niekerk (400m), Elijah Manangoi (1500m), Mo Farah (10,000m), Eider Arevalo (20 km walk), Caster Semenya (800m), Almaz Ayana (10 000 m), Sally Pearson (100mH) and Anita Wlodarczyk (HT). Another record is the number of countries with 210 and number of athletes 2043 is also the best (London had 2034 entered and 1857 competing at the end). Russian ban continues, medal ceremonies for athletes getting medals after doping disqualifications also to continue. Huge anti-doping operation by AIU. The most medals won by an individual is 16 by Allyson Felix between 2005 and 2017 and she could add to that if she runs in any of the relays. The oldest male champion is Yohann Diniz, aged 39, when winning the 50k walk in 2017 and he will be defending that title. Jesús Ãngel GarcÃa, making a record 13th World Champs appearance (50 km walk), will at 49 become the oldest ever competitor.
Remember London 2017
LONDON (GBR): London stats showed 700 000+ sold tickets, USA ahead of Kenya and South Africa in medals and USA ahead of Kenya and Great Britain in points. 48 countries got medals and 70 points. Only seven Beijing 2015 winners defended in London, better for Rio winners, 14 were succesful. Jos Hermens was the top agent in individual gold medals with five. One World record (50 km walk), three championships records and 15 World leads were registered. In number of gold medals by continents Europe won with 17 (+ 1 ANA) followed by NACAC 12, Africa 10, Asia 4, Oceania 2, South America 2. This champs will be also remembered as Usain Bolt farewell from athletics. IAAF President Sebastian Coe said: “The IAAF World Championships London 2017 were the most competitive and compelling World Championships of all time. I can’t remember a time when the competition has been so competitive and the stories around them so compelling. From the opening salvo of discus and long jump to the 4x400m this evening we have witnessed sometimes no more than the thickness of a vest between the finalists.”
Short event by event previews
MEN
200 m: Lyles show here is expected. Can he improve his 19.50? Guliyev and De Grasse with Coleman for other medals.
400 m: Norman with close to sub 43 potential. Gardiner showed late top shape, Kerley is also there (beat Norman at US Champs) with Bloomfield and returning James.
800 m: Amos has a top chance with fast front running. In that case meet record 1:43.06 could go. Brazier has the kick, bigger group attacking the bronze.
1500 m: Cheruiyot is lost only one race (Doha DL to E. Manangoi who is injured) otherwise unbeaten and could well stay so, he just needs to have it under control. Young Jakob with Musagala are next to follow. If slower bigger gorup could be included with somebody like Lewandowski.
5000 m: Who can stay with four Ethiopians? And from them young Barega and Gebrhiwot who will this time count laps correctly. Maybe only Jakob can dare to be with them.
10 000 m: The same, Barega with Gebrhiwot, but also Kejelcha. But the new force comparing to 5k is Cheptegei the DL winner also young Rhonex Kipruto will not give up so easily.
Marathon: Ethiopians looking stronger on time, but Kirui is the title defender. And mainly specific weather and day time conditions can help somebody unexpected.
Steeple: Normally you would say it is El Bakkali, but Kigen will not give up so easily, not sure about shape of Kipruto, but the dark horses are Ethiopians. WL possible.
110mH: Former NCAA students Holloway and Roberts vs experienced elite McLeod, Ortega and Shubenkov.
400mH: Warholm is an all-weather athlete, can beat only himself with some mistake, Benjamin has lot of power but needs to improve his stride rhythm and the shape of Samba is with questionmark. Everybody speaks about possible WR, really ? Or will Kevin Young lose only the meet record 47.18.
HJ: Nedasekau showed september top shape at the Match, but its like roulette, one day one wins, another day somebody else. Barshim not yet there although at home. Bondarenko and Tamberi from previous champions could surprise.
PV: Duplantis is the youngest from favorites with good nerves, Kendricks had some small health issue, Lisek is also ready. Super experience comes from WR holder Lavillenie.
LJ: If he can be in the right time on the board Echevarria looks unbeatable. Healthy Manyonga is also a big force. Bronze very open.
TJ: Claye vs Taylor for 18+. Pichardo for bronze or more?
SP: Walsh is the defender, but Crouser ready for big throws, Romani also consistent over 22 and Bukowiecki with late top shape. One of the oldest meet records 22.23 from 1987 should be deleted.
DT: Stahl in his own world if safe with his technique. Dacres not that strong as 2018, but Weisshaidinger better, Gudzius might improve and pay attention to Firfirica.
HT: Polish affair for the first look, but newcomers at that level Cienfuegos with Henriksen, also Miller and last year nr.3 Halasz.
JT: Four Germans can attack the full podium, but Kirt is against, also Cheng with Matusevicius, Vadlejch had improved shape and dark horse NCAA bound Peters.
Dec: Mayer is not having any full decathlon, but individually showed impressive improvements. Warner good for silver and bronze open, possibly for Kaul. WL on the table.
20 km w: Japanese and Chinese walkers will be the force in the midnight competition. Can any European mix into it? Maybe Mizinov or Diego Garcia.
50 km w: WR holder Diniz should be ready, but special circumstances can help Suzuki or a Chinese walker, Olympic winner Toth should be also ready.
4×100 m: Will US train baton exchanges? If yes they will be tough to beat, if not Britain, Japan, Canada and Brazil ready. Still WL very possible even without US.
4×400 m: London 2017 should not be repeated, US is strong enough and Trinidad lost some shape since then. WL clearly there.
WOMEN
100 m: Dina vs Jamaican duo part 1. Ta Lou could be also close.
200 m: Dina vs Jamaican duo part 2. Here defender Schippers there and always ready for big one Okagbare. First sub 22 of the year.
400 m: Shaunae, Naser, Shericka Jackson, no medal for USA. Looks simple. First sub 49 of the year.
800 m: You would say it is clear for Wilson, but is it? This could be anybody´s race.
1500 m: We are not sure if Klosterhalfen and Hassan will run, Muir had injury issue, Genzebe not running at all, so we point to Kipyegon.
5000 m: The same question with Klosterhalfen and Hassan, also Gidey with Obiri (both can do 5/10 combination). Will it be fast enough for new meet record (14:26.83) ?
10 000 m: Ethiopians fastest on paper, but top favorites are Hassan and Obiri. WL possible.
Marathon: Chepngetich and Edna Kiplagat vs Ethiopians, but Salpeter can bring glory to Israel.
Steeple: WR holder Chepkoech looks with her front running pretty unbeatable. Other Kenyans with Coburn and Krause for other two medals. Highly possible new champs record (9:02.58).
100mH: Danielle Williams this time looks as best followed by US trio. But you know hurdles…
400mH: Will be Muhammad in WR shape again after July? McLaughlin will be close that is for sure, bronze wide open.
HJ: Lasitskene is the obvious choice, but rememeber she lost in Minsk to good looking Levchenko.
PV: Stefanidi is great competitor, although Sidorova has a better mark. Morris can do it also.
LJ: Mihambo in her own seven meters World followed by Reese, bronze very open.
TJ: Great expectations after recent improvement are connected to Rojas, can she cope with that role? What is the health status of Ibarguen? Ricketss also thinks about the podium.
SP: Only 20 m thrower of the year is the defender Gong. Speaks for itself.
DT: Perkovic vs Cubans Caballero and Perez. Rest is little bit behind.
HT: With missing Wlodarczyk it looks like US affair with Wang and Polish girls.
JT: Unbeaten Lyu looks like a safe bet. Behind her several medal candidates, newcomer Barber, olympic winner Kolak, WR holder Spotakova, consistent is also Hussong.
Hep: One of the top duels: Thiam vs KJT. Will they break 7000 points?
20kmw: Four strong Chinese walkers should be enough to beat the rest, but hot weather will also suit South Americans with Morejon on top.
50kmw: Henriques was the first historical winner and is again there. Two strong Chinese and Giorgi also in the mix.
4×100 m: Germany has the best exchanges, will it be enough to beat the faster individual sprinters from USA and Jamaica? WL very possible.
4×400 m: When including hurdlers McLaughlin and Muhammad US is unbeatable, Jamaica and Poland for the other positions. WL for sure.
Mixed
4×400 m: Poland leads the lists, but US has the best individual results level followed by Jamaica and Great Britain. WR for sure.
