2012 AVIVA London GP, Day 2, Wells upsets Pearson, Sayers sets BR in javelin, by Larry Eder

Aviva London Grand Prix
London (CP), 14/07/2012

Men’ results

200 Metres – Men                                              Wind: +1.1 m/s

Great starts for both Lemaitre and Martina. By the time Lemaitre and Martina hit the turn, it was their race. Lemaitre, who ran 10.08 at AREVA Paris last Friday, ran a fine last fifty meters, moving away from Churandy Martina over the last twenty meters. A wonderful race for both athletes, who should be considered, in the medal battle over 200 meters in London. Lemaitre was quite excited after his win, ” I want to thank the fans,” he was a bit nervous with his English, but one could tell, he was very excited about the victory, and to win on Bastille Day, his countries’ big party day, C’est tres bien!

    1 Lemaitre , Christophe            FRA      19.91
    2 Martina , Churandy               NED      19.95
    3 Anderson , Marvin                JAM      20.55
    4 Talbot , Daniel                  GBR      20.59
    5 Forsythe , Mario                 JAM      20.60
    6 Newman , Calesio                 USA      20.69
    7 Malcolm , Christian              GBR      20.71
    8 Ellington , James                GBR      20.87

400 Metres – Men Race 1

Jack Green has had a busy weekend. The young man is doing his impersonation of Angleo Taylor-running both the 400 meters and the 400 meter hurdles. Jack Green ran a pb for the 400m hurdles, running 48.60 last night. Today, running a great stretch run, Green went by Robert Tobin, and won in 45.99, going away. Watch Green in London, RBR believes he is ready for a big drop, say 48.20 or so in the 400m hurdles.                                      

    1 Green , Jack                     GBR      45.99
    2 Tobin , Robert                   GBR      46.34
    3 Lennon-Ford , Luke               GBR      46.37
    4 Dunn , Jarryd                    GBR      46.67
    5 Warner , Michael                 GBR      47.02
    6 Morrissey , Richard              GBR      47.69
    7 Druce , Tom                      GBR      47.93
    8 Wooldridge , Lawrence            GBR      48.31

400 Metres – Men Race 2   

Chris Brown took second in this race, from lane eight, just after his manager, Caroline Feith, had noted that he always ran well from lane 8. Well, Chris, listen to your manager, as she knows. Kirani James put some effort into getting by the Bahamian sprinter, as James ran 44.85 to Chris Brown’s 44.95. Jeremy Wariner was fifth in 45.29. Jeremy was in it until the last fifty meters. He did not give up, but just looks like he needs a bit more racing.                                   

    1 James , Kirani                   GRN      44.85
    2 Brown , Chris                    BAH      44.95
    3 McQuay , Tony                    USA      45.00
    4 Levine , Nigel                   GBR      45.27
    5 Wariner , Jeremy                 USA      45.29
    6 Rooney , Martyn                  GBR      45.31
    7 Henry , Tabarie                  ISV      45.55
    8 Williams , Conrad                GBR      46.04

800 Metres – Men 

What a fun race! Matthew Scherer, the best pace maker of his generation, took the field through 49.71, as Kaki, and Osagie went by. Then, Andrew Osagie put the peddle to the metal, and took the lead with 300 meters to go, and looked superb until 700 meters. Kaki started to fade, then Job Kinyor and Adam Kszczot went by. Ksczot, the Polish star, made a tactical move with fifteen meters to go and ran through the finish, winning in 1:44.49, with Kinyor in 1:44.60. Andrew Osagie, who continues to impress, was third in 1:45.21. Michael Rutt of the US ran to sixth in 1:46.12, and Elijah Greer, a new professional runner, ran 1:46.14 for seventh. Matt Centrowitz, continuing to build his fitness, took 11th in 1:48.42.                                            
                                                        &
nbsp;   Pts
    1 Kszczot , Adam                   POL    1:44.49          4       
    2 Kinyor , Job Koech               KEN    1:44.60          2       
    3 Osagie , Andrew                  GBR    1:45.21          1       
    4 Kaki , Abubaker                  SUD    1:46.05                  
    5 Lalang , Boaz Kiplagat           KEN    1:46.09                  
    6 Rutt , Michael                   USA    1:46.12                  
    7 Greer , Elijah                   USA    1:46.14                  
    8 Warburton , Gareth               GBR    1:46.56                  
    9 Mohammed , Mukhtar               GBR    1:47.70
   10 Kiplagat , Richard               KEN    1:48.06
   11 Centrowitz , Matthew             USA    1:48.42
      Scherer , Matthew                USA        DNF                  

One Mile – Men

The Emsley Carr mile celebrated 60 years of championing the mile. And the race this year was no exception. Jack Bolas took the field through 55.8 and 1:52.4, with Nick Willis right on them. Collins Cheboi took Nick through the 1,200 meters, which they hit in 2:51. Nick Willis, who had run fast, was spent, but he held on until 70 meters to go, as Silas Kiplagat, Ross Murray and Caleb Ndiku went by, with Silas Kiplagat scoring the win in 3:52.44, Ross Murray, the young Brit, scoring a huge PR with 3:52.77, and Nick Willis, holding on, stayed in fourth in 3:53.64. Bernard Lagat finished sixth in 3:54.17.

Watch out for Lagat in the London 5,000 meters, that is all i will say….                                              

    1 Kiplagat , Silas                 KEN    3:52.44
    2 Murray , Ross                    GBR    3:52.77
    3 Ndiku , Caleb Mwangangi          KEN    3:53.15
    4 Willis , Nicholas                NZL    3:53.64
    5 Birgen , Bethwell                KEN    3:53.93
    6 Lagat , Bernard                  USA    3:54.17
    7 Ingebrigtsen , Henrik            NOR    3:54.28
    8 Riseley , Jeffrey                AUS    3:55.86
    9 Gathimba , Gideon Mwangi         KEN    3:57.12
   10 Grice , Charlie                  GBR    3:57.90
   11 Manzano , Leonel                 USA    4:00.78
      Cheboi , Collins                 KEN        DNF                  
      Bolas , Jack                     USA        DNF                  

High Jump – Men  

Nice men’s high jump in wet and cold conditions. Seven guys cleared 2.18, three cleared 2.22, and it was on. Robert Grabarz had a wonderful second attempt at 2.26m and it fell off, just bad karma. Derek Drouin of Canada showed some strong resolve and competed well, clearing 2.26m. He is ready for London.                                            

    1 Drouin , Derek                   CAN       2.26
    2 Grabarz , Robert                 GBR       2.22
    2 Parsons , Tom                    GBR       2.22
    4 Mason , Michael                  CAN       2.18
    5 Oni , Samson                     GBR       2.18
    5 Thomas , Donald                  BAH       2.18
    7 Pr
ezelj , Rozle                  SLO       2.18
    8 Ninov , Viktor                   BUL       2.13
      Torro , Osku                     FIN        DNS                  

Triple Jump – Men  

Ah, the triple jump. Leevan Sands, the ARIVA Paris winner did his best to provide Christian Taylor some competition, but it was not to be. Jumping 16.96m, then 17.12m, 16.78m, 17.24m, a foul and then, 17.41m, to cement his win. Christian was very relaxed, joking with his coach just before his fifth attempt.

Phillips Idowu pulled out due to some muscle tightness. He just did not want to take any chances.

Christian Taylor is, in my opinion, the best triple jumper in the world right now. Can Idowu and him battle in London? Sure. It will be fascinating to see. My guess is, the rain and cold will still be here….                                         
                                                            Pts               Wind
    1 Taylor , Christian               USA      17.41          4              -0.2
    2 Sands , Leevan                   BAH      16.97          2              +0.4
    3 Oke , Tosin                      NGR      16.93          1              +0.5
    4 Laine , Samyr                    HAI      16.85                         +0.0
    5 Greco , Daniele                  ITA      16.80                         +0.9
    6 Taillepierre , Karl              FRA      16.49                         +0.9
    7 Wilson , Aarik                   USA      16.37                         +0.2
    8 Schembri , Fabrizio              ITA      15.87                         +0.0
      Idowu , Phillips                 GBR        DNS                  

Shot Put – Men 

A nice battle in cold, rainy weather between Reese Hoff and Tomasz Majewski. Dylan Armstrong, the Canadian shot stud, was a bit subdued today, only reaching 20.46 meters. Majewski hit 21.08m first and then rebounded, hitting 21.28m, taking second. Reese Hoffa, who told us he was a a bit out of it, having just arrived, threw 21.34m to keep the win. ” I can throw farther, noted our friend who loves Tyson Turkey legs (find the photo of Reese doing a pin up pose with a Tyson turkey leg, one of the greatest sports photos of all times).

London should be exciting, with Reese Hoffa, Tomasz Majewksi, Christian Cantwell (remember he threw 22.31m last weekend), and Ryan Whiting. The men’s shot should be one of the most exciting events in the London schedule. I predict 22 meters needed for a medal. Hoffa, Majewski and Cantwell want it, and are rounding into shape.                                              
                                                            Pts
    1 Hoffa , Reese                    USA      21.34          4       
    2 Majewski , Tomasz                POL      21.28          2       
    3 Armstrong , Dylan                CAN      20.46          1       
    4 Smith , Rutger                   NED      20.42                  
    5 Myerscough , Carl                GBR      19.69                  
    6 Kovacs , Joe                     USA      19.61 &nbs
p;                
    7 Fortes , Marco                   POR      19.21                  
    8 Christensen , Kim                DEN      19.15                  

4×100 Metres Relay – Men   

Good handoffs beat great runners. Trinidad and Tobago had super handoffs, followed by a renewed Richard Thompson. TRI ran 38.23. Netherlands was second in 38.70, and Poland was third in 38.78. Churandy Martin took second leg for the Netherlands, Christophe Lemaitre took second leg for France.

    1 Trinidad and Tobago              TRI      38.23
    2 Netherlands                      NED      38.70
    3 Poland                           POL      38.78
    4 Great Britain & N.I.             GBR      38.80
    5 MVP Track Club                   JAM      38.82
    6 Great Britain & N.I. “B”         GBR      38.94
    7 France                           FRA      38.95
    8 Saint Kitts and Nevis            SKN      39.19

Women’ results

100 Metres – Women Heats Race 2                               Wind: +1.3 m/s

Carmelita Jeter won this heat, in 11.01, with Tianna Madison right behind, in 11.06. Jeter looked controlled.

    1 Jeter , Carmelita                USA      11.01
    2 Madison , Tianna                 USA      11.06
    3 Calvert , Schillonie             JAM      11.24
    4 Williams , Tameka                SKN      11.26
    5 Williams , Lauryn                USA      11.41
    6 Soumari , Myriam                 FRA      11.41
    7 Adeoye , Margaret                GBR      11.53

100 Metres – Women Heats Race 1                               Wind: +1.4 m/s

Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce ran 10.93, sending a message. Blessing Okagbare, known as a long jumper and sprinter,
ran her first time under eleven seconds and was elated. Murielle Ahoure of CIV ran 11.09.

    1 Fraser-Pryce , Shelly-Ann        JAM      10.93
    2 Okagbare , Blessing              NGR      10.99
    3 Ahoure , Murielle                CIV      11.09
    4 Bailey , Aleen                   JAM      11.22
    5 Russell , Carrie                 JAM      11.24
    6 Okparaebo , Ezinne               NOR      11.27
    7 Douglas , Montell                GBR      11.49
    8 Knight , Bianca                  USA      11.67

100 Metres – Women Final                                      Wind: -0.2 m/s

Wow! Blessing Okagbare and Carmelita Jeter went at it hard from the start. Today, Blessing won, and Carmelita was second. 11.01-11.04. Tianna Madison was third in 11.13, with Muriella Ahoure, fourth in 11.13. In eighth place was 2008 Olympic champion, 2009 WC, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who finished in 11.82. What was that?

    1 Okagbare , Blessing              NGR      11.01
    2 Jeter , Carmelita                USA      11.03
    3 Madison , Tianna                 USA      11.13
    4 Ahoure , Murielle                CIV      11.13
    5 Bailey , Aleen                   JAM      11.25
    6 Calvert , Schillonie             JAM      11.40
    7 Russell , Carrie                 JAM      11.48
    8 Fraser-Pryce , Shelly-Ann        JAM      11.82

400 Metres – Women 

The las
t race of the day, ended the meet in an amazing fashion. The rain was coming down in buckets as the runners were called to the line. As the gun went off, Amantle Montsho went out very well, but so did Christine Ohuruogu. The rain continued to come down hard, as Ohuruogu showed that she is coming back. She went by Montsho with less than twenty meters to go, as the crowd willed their Christine to win,and she fulfilled the crowd’s dream, running her best time of the year.

More importantly, Christine Ohuruogu showed that she is in the medal fight in London.                                          
                                                            Pts
    1 Ohuruogu , Christine             GBR      50.42          4       
    2 Montsho , Amantle                BOT      50.56          2       
    3 Whyte , Rosemarie                JAM      51.19          1       
    4 Hastings , Natasha               USA      51.43                  
    5 Williams , Shericka              JAM      51.89                  
    6 Beard , Jessica                  USA      52.08                  
    7 Cox , Shana                      GBR      52.38 

800 Metres – Women Race 1   

This is a developmental race, sponsored by Dame Kelly Holmes, 2004 gold medalist at 800 meters and 1,500 meters. Rowena Cole won the race, in 2:04.01. A tremendous race, Rowena Cole battled Claire Tarplee with Philippa Aukelt taking third, all under 2:04.11.                                 

    1 Cole , Rowena                    GBR    2:04.01
    2 Tarplee , Claire                 IRL    2:04.08
    3 Aukelt , Philippa                GBR    2:04.11
    4 Bird , Tara                      GBR    2:04.50
    5 Tracey , Adelle                  GBR    2:04.88
    6 Brooks , Hannah                  GBR    2:05.05
    7 Leonard , Alison                 GBR    2:05.79
    8 Kersey , Gemma                   GBR    2:06.41
    9 Bleaken , Loren                  GBR    2:06.46
   10 Dodd , Kaylee                    GBR    2:10.33
      Oskan , Shelayna                 GBR        DNF                  

800 Metres – Women Race 2

A redemptive race for Molly Beckwith, who had finished a very close fourth in the US Oly Trials 800 meters in Eugene, Oregon.

Janet Jepkosgei, the 2007 Osaka gold medalist at 800 meters, the 2009 Berlin silver medalist at 800 meters, was overtaken by Molly Beckwith, who used a last second lunge at the finish, winning in 2:00.68, with Jepkosgei taking second with the same time. Winny Chebet of Kenya was third in 2:00.76.                                    

    1 Beckwith , Molly                 USA    2:00.68
    2 Busienei , Janeth Jepkosgei      KEN    2:00.68
    3 Chebet , Winny                   KEN    2:00.76
    4 Okoro , Marilyn                  GBR    2:01.32
    5 Gall , Geena                     USA    2:01.65
    6 Cichocka , Angelika              POL    2:02.09
    7 Hak , Yvonne                     NED    2:02.93
    8 Akkaoui , Malika                 MAR    2:04.46
    9 Best , Charlotte                 GBR    2:05.20
      Jelagat , Jane                   KEN        DNF  &nbs
p;               

3000 Metres Steeplechase – Women 

A strong pace, throughout the race made this a deceptive race. Ancuta Bobocel used a Phanencer Chemutai Chemion, who had lead early, but faded with two laps to go, as a focus. Bobocel got out infront with the last water jump to hold on for the win in 9:27.24. Polina Jelizarova took second, in 9:28.27, with a Latvian record. Barbara Parker of Great Britain, ran 9:29.22, staying well within the competitive mix. Bridget Franek of the US, ran the best race of the year, running a personal best of 9:29.53, with Katarzyna Kowalska of Poland in fifth in 9:35.14.

Congrats to Ashley Higgenson, who ran her pb by four seconds, with her 9:34.49, in sixth place. Great race for the Princeton grad!                            
                                                            Pts
    1 Bobocel , Ancuta                 ROU    9:27.24          4       
    2 Jelizarova , Polina              LAT    9:28.27          2       
    3 Parker , Barbara                 GBR    9:29.22          1       
    4 Franek , Bridget                 USA    9:29.53                  
    5 Kowalska , Katarzyna             POL    9:34.14                  
    6 Higginson , Ashley               USA    9:34.49                  
    7 Chemion , Phanencer Chemutai     KEN    9:36.55                  
    8 Ramos , Beverly                  PUR    9:41.15                  
    9 Hall , Sara                      USA    9:45.51                  
   10 Stewart , Emily                  GBR    9:53.47                  
   11 Fente , Birtukan                 ETH   10:06.98                  
      Hinds , Korene                   JAM        DNF                  
      Kuzmina , Lyudmila               RUS        DNS                  

100 Metres Hurdles – Women Final                              Wind: +0.6 m/s

This was a great race! Sally Pearson got out well, Kellie Wells got out better. Wells came up alongside Pearson about hurdle four and they battled, neck and neck, from hurdle 4 to hurdle 9, and the crowd roared. Kellie Wells went ahead, winning in 12.57, with Sally Pearson taking a rare defeat.

This is a technical event, that is very, very fast. Pearson and Wells, at the top of their games, at the right times, will be interesting to watch during the London Games. Sally told media on Thursday that she wants to run 12.20 or so, and she is quite capable. In London, however, her focus should be on taking the gold home to Australia. She has a few folks who will object to that, one of them being the victor today, Kellie Wells.
                                                            Pts
    1 Wells , Kellie                   USA      12.57          4       
    2 Pearson , Sally                  AUS      12.59          2       
    3 Crawford , Ginnie                USA      12.74          1       
    4 Castlin , Kristi                 USA      12.82                  
    5 Manning , Christina              USA      12.88                  
    6 Carruthers , Danielle            USA      12.90                  
    7 George , Phylicia                CAN      12.94        &
nbsp;         
      Foster-Hylton , Brigitte         JAM        DNS                  

100 Metres Hurdles – Women Heats Race 1                       Wind: +1.1 m/s

Ginnie Crawford got out well and went out hard, winning in 12.62. Christina Manning took second with Danielle Carruthers taking third in 12.83.

    1 Crawford , Ginnie                USA      12.62                  
    2 Manning , Christina              USA      12.70                  
    3 Carruthers , Danielle            USA      12.73                  
    4 Castlin , Kristi                 USA      12.76                  
    5 Holder , Nikkita                 CAN      12.95
    6 Greaves , LaToya                 JAM      13.01
    7 Coward , Jacqueline              USA      13.26
    8 Porter , Tiffany                 GBR      14.19

100 Metres Hurdles – Women Heats Race 2                       Wind: +0.5 m/s

Sally Pearson, hurdling well in the slow rain, won heat 2, in 12.53, with Kellie Wells taking second in 12.54. Both hurdlers were running very fast, and I was concerned about the rain and the wetness of the track.

    1 Pearson , Sally                  AUS      12.53                  
    2 Wells , Kellie                   USA      12.54                  
    3 George , Phylicia                CAN      12.87                  
    4 Foster-Hylton , Brigitte         JAM      12.90
    5 Lopes-Schliep , Priscilla        CAN      12.91
    6 Schrott , Beate                  AUT      12.96
    7 Ali , Nia                        USA      13.05
    8 Lewis , Yvette                   USA      13.22

400 Metres Hurdles – Women

One of the best races of the weekend, heck, of the summer. Perri Shakes-Drayton, who was running 55 point, got out hard, and maintained. When she hit hurdle 8, she took off, executing hurdles 8, 9 and ten and then sprinting through the finish, running a personal best of 53.77. ” My coach thought I could run a pb today.” And that she did.

In winning the 400 m hurdles, in the number two time in the world for 2012, Shakes-Drayton is now a medal contender. With superb 400 meter flat speed, Perri gave Irina Davydova a rare defeat. Kaliese Spencer of Jamaica was third in 55.08 and 2008 Olympic and 209 World Champ Melanie Walker, ran a slow, for her, 55.45.

In the end, Perri Shakes-Drayton moved up the 400 m hurdle food chain. In the betting palaces around London, before her race, Shakes-Drayton was 66-1 for a medal, now she is 5-1.

Good on her.                                   

    1 Shakes-Drayton , Perri           GBR      53.77
    2 Davydova , Irina                 RUS      54.63
    3 Spencer , Kaliese                JAM      55.08
    4 Walker , Melaine                 JAM      55.45
    5 Child , Eilidh                   GBR      55.91
    6 Brown , Ti’erra                  USA      56.03
    7 Williams , Tiffany               USA      56.72
    8 Wilson , Nickiesha               JAM      58.46

Triple Jump – Women    

The Columbian triple jumper, Caterine Ibarguen jumps like the Cuban jumpers. Strong technique, boundless energy. Olha Saluduhka of the Ukraine took an early lead, with 14.27m. Caterine Ibarguen made this massive jump, and went into the lead with 14.61m.

Olha Saladuhka rebounded, jumping 14.48m and moving herself solidly into second place. Yamila Aldama was jumping third in 14.37m, with Kimberly Williams in fourth, as the Jamaican jumped 14.00 meters.

Caterine Ibarguen made a final jump of 14.66m to put it all away, and the Columbian jumper showed that she is not pretending, she will make anyone who dares to challenge her in London work for their medals.                                      
&nbsp
;                                                                             Wind
    1 Ibarguen , Caterine              COL      14.66      -0.8
    2 Saladuha , Olha                  UKR      14.48      +0.0
    3 Aldama , Yamila                  GBR      14.37      -1.6
    4 Williams , Kimberly              JAM      14.00      +1.5
    5 Smock , Amanda                   USA      13.82      -1.1
    6 Veldakova , Dana                 SVK      13.77      -2.7
    7 Mamona , Patricia                POR      13.70      -1.3
    8 Benova , Andriana                BUL      12.92      -1.8

Javelin Throw – Women 

The javelin throw is a technical event. It is also a wonderfully emotional event. Goldie Sayers built on the adoration of the crowd at Crystal Palace and she let it rip. The javelin stayed in the air a long, long time, touching down just past 66 meters. Hitting 66.17, Sayers set the British record, challenging Barbora Spotakova to respond.

Spotakova, Olympic and European and World Goddess, finally put a 64.19m throw out there during round 6. By then, it was too late, as Goldie Sayers just protected that long throw, with a good series.

Sayers looked fantastic today. Lets hope that, as I believe, she has a 70 meter throw in her muscle memory, as she will need it in the London Olympics. However, with the wind and the rain, javelin throwing, well, may become very, very hard, and Goldie Sayers, one of the most likable and best technical javelin throwers, will have another great day for her!                                       
                                                            Pts
    1 Sayers , Goldie                  GBR      66.17          4       
    2 Spotapokova , Barbora            CZE      64.19          2       
    3 Rebryk , Vira                    UKR      63.80          1       
    4 Viljoen , Sunette                RSA      63.33                  
    5 Mickle , Kimberley               AUS      62.36                  
    6 Mitchell , Kathryn               AUS      60.24                  
    7 Molitor , Kathrina               GER      58.81                  
      Stahl , Linda                    GER        DNS