by Alfonz Juck
Usain Bolt, photo by PhotoRun.net
Bolt gets sub 10
OSTRAVA (CZE, May 20): A thrilling sixth round of the men’s javelin, in which the lead changed hands three times, capped the 55th edition of the Ostrava Golden Spike at the sold out stadium. Germany’s Thomas Rohler led from round one, but Marcin Krukowski (84.74) and then Ihab Abdelrahman (84.85) moved to the lead in the final series. But in the final throw of the competition, Rohler unleashed a world lead of 87.37 to take the win. The headline act, Jamaican sprint superstar Usain Bolt, left the rest of the field well behind to win the 100m in 9.98 (-0.4). Second position went to Ramon Gittens of Barbados with 10.21. Unfortunately, world decathlon champion Ashton Eaton did not line-up against Bolt, as he was forced to pull out of the meet after experiencing quad pain during the long jump. Another star on show was Renaud Lavillenie, who topped the pole vault with 583, beating world champ Shawn Barber’s 570. Further down the field, Greek Emmanouil Karalis set a world u18 best of 555. There was another age best in the men’s shot, Poland’s Konrad Bukowiecki putted 21.01, a world outdoor u20 and European all-time junior best with the senior implement. Tomasz Majewski (20.84) was his closest challenger. Germany’s Konstanze Klosterhalfen was another young athlete to excel; she won the 1500m in 4:06.91, the 13th best time ever by a European junior. The men’s 1500m brought a surprise, as Czech Filip Sanisek won in big PB 3:36.32, beating Timo Benitz (3:36.40) and Chris O’Hare (3:36.58) in a thrilling sprint finish. Czech favourite Jakub Holusa finished 7th. In the women’s 3000m, the favourite did prevail: Ethiopia’s Belaynesh Oljira won in 8:38.55 ,eet record from compatriot Haftamnesh Tesfay (8:40.80). There was also an African winner in the men’s 400mH, LJ van Zyl upset world leader Johnny Dutch to win in 48.65 to the American’s 49.01. There were home wins in the men’s long jump, Radek Juska 7.92 (-1.2), and the women’s pole vault, in which Jirina Ptacnikova beat Cuban favourite Yarisley Silva on countback, both cleared 460. Sandi Morris could only manage 440 on this occasion. In a separate ranking blade jumper Markus Rehm get 803 as best mark of the day. There was another surprise in the women’s 400mH, as Joanna Linkiewicz ran 55.40 PB to see off Kaliese Spencer (55.43) and Zuzana Hejnova (55.69). In the 110mH, Jarret Eaton (13.25 PB) and Jeff Porter (13.42) made it a US 1-2. Jamaicans ruled the 400m, with Javon Francis (44.87) and Christine Day (51.09) both winning. James Ellington just won his duel with Likoúrgos-Stéfanos Tsákonas in the 200m, 20.35 to 20.36.
