by Larry Eder
Sally Pearson, photo by PhotoRun.net
Pearson 7.79 WL, Harting beaten
BERLIN (GER, Mar 1): The first ISTAF Indoor in the 02 World Arena before 10 500 spectators was highlighted by world leading 7.79 of Sally Pearson in heats of 60 m hurdles. She confirmed that shape with 7.80 in the finals. Second Nadine Hildebrand 7.98 and third Yvette Lewis who equaled Panama national record 7.99. Four German wins were another highlight for the crowd. Verena Sailer equaled her PB with 7.12 in in women 60 m ahead of Tahesia Harrigan-Scott of British Virgin Islands 7.17. World champion David Storl with only valid attempt dominated the shot put 21.20. Here second Bulgarian record holder Georgi Ivanov 20.40 and third Czech Tomas Stanek 20.33. Malte Mohr improved in the pole vault to 590 in third attempt, his indoor PB (outdoor he has 591). It is the second best in the World this year behind Renaud Lavillenie. Greek Kostadinos Filippidis and Czech Jan Kudlicka were 2nd and 3rd with 570. The event finished with first ever discus indoors in Germany at an international meet (after all events finished) and home star Robert Harting was not the winner. World and Olympic winner achieved 62.20 and that was enough for fourth place. Martin Wierig got 64.82 win. Second and third Poland guests Piotr Malachowski 63.73 and Robert Urbanek 62.27. The indoor all-time best of Gerd Kanter is 69.51 from Vaxjo in 2009. The men races on the straight were won by athletes who from different reasons will not be able to compete in Sopot next week. Kim Collins with 6.52 in the 60 m ahead of Berlin sprinter Lucas Jakubczyk 6.56 PB. Dayron Robles over the hurdles beat in 7.53 fresh US Champion Omo Osaghae 7.63 and Greek record holder Kostadinos Douvalidis 7.64.
(Editor’s note: Sally Pearson is ready to roll in Sopot, Poland.).
