Olahraga

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009

800m - MEN


World leader David Rudisha continues his late-season run of good form with victory in the men's 800m (Getty Images)

There was quite an amount of consolation in this race for David Rudisha. The Kenyan who had been among the favourites to win the gold medal at the Berlin World Championships and then missed the final showed a great performance in the 800 m at the IAAF/VTB Bank World Athletics Final. Leading the race from start to finish the 20 year-old stormed to one of his major wins in his young career. Rudisha clocked 1:44.85 minutes, which will remain as the Final record forever now. And he secured what is probably the biggest prize money he has won so far: $30,000.

Coming out of the first bend Rudisha was already in the lead, controlling the race. After a conservative first lap of 53.00 seconds it was America’s Nick Symmonds who tried to get past the Kenyan twice. But on both occassions (right after 400m and after the 600m) Rudisha responded swiftly, increased the tempo and stayed in the lead. While Symmonds eventually finished sixth in 1.46.19 there was noone else capable to match the strong finish of the youngster on the homestraight. Gary Reed (Canada) took second with 1:45.23  while World Champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (South Africa) was third in 1:45.53.

“It was a nice race and since it is the World Athletics Final I am happy that I finished inside the top three,” said Mulaudzi, while David Rudisha commented: “It is great for me to have won this one. I feel very well and I responded well.”

Jörg Wenig

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009

200m - WOMEN


Allyson Felix edges out Sanya Richards in the women's 200m, both clocking 22.29 (Getty Images)

Three-time World champion Allyson Felix of the US made it a three-peat at the World Athletics Final too as she added the 2009 title to her victories of 2005 and 2006 here in Thessaloniki.

It may be easy to forget that Felix is not even 24 years of age yet when one looks at her resume and at the way she handles the big races. Tonight again she was supreme although it took the Los Angeles based athlete a “good” dip to respond to the extremely fast finish of 400 World champion Sanya Richards.

Both Americans clocked 22.29 with Felix being given the win by seven thousands of a second.

Olympic bronze medallist Kerron Stewart who won silver in the shorter dash at the World Championships in Berlin was third once again at 22.42 with Berlin bronze medallist Debbie Ferguson-Mc Kenzie in fourth at 22.45.

As the attention was focused on the middle lanes, the sprinters set off to a fair start the first time of asking with no-one making a clear surge in the opening curve. As they entered the home straight Stewart held the slightest of leads over Felix and Ferguson with Richards, a full-lap specialist, still in the mix albeit half a step behind.

With 50 metres to go, it looked as though the Jamaican couldn’t hold her momentum but it was in fact Felix and, two lanes on her outside, Richards who made a decisive move. Felix was marginally ahead with five metres to go and that was when Golden League Jackpot winner Richards upped the tempo one more notch.

Richards caught up with Felix on the line but was still seven thousands of a second off defending her World Athletics Final title.

“I had a terrific season,” said Felix. “It was fun running with Sanya in a very tight race. The season has been very long with many trips and races but I don’t feel so tired.”

Felix who missed last year’s WAF in order to return to California for her School exams was second in the 100m two years ago and winner of the 200 in 2006 when she defeated no other than Richards by 6 hundredths of a second in what still stands as the Championship record 22.11.

Winner of a fantastic 200/400 double last year in Stuttgart, Richards failed to reproduce her exploit but will return to action in tomorrow’s 400 where she is poised to improve on her 3-year-old American record 48.70.

“I expected a low 22,” she said. “I came close to snatch victory but I can’t say I’m not satisfied. A time of 22.29 shows me that I can run under 49 seconds tomorrow.”

Laura Arcoleo

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009

100m - MEN


Tyson Gay comes through strong at the end to defeat Asafa Powell in the men's 100m (Getty Images)

After a false start which was attributed to the whole field rather than one man, the race got away properly on the second time of asking and it was USA’s Darvis Patton who was very well into his running in lane three, two inside of Asafa Powell. But it wasn’t long before Jamaica’s two-time World championship bronze medallist was ahead of the American and seemingly heading for a relaxed victory.

However, Tyson Gay, the World silver medallist, running with a groin injury on borrowed time competitively speaking prior to an operation this autumn, had other plans. The American record holder got out of the blocks smoothly though was immediately in deficit in terms of Powell’s race progression. But then Gay started playing catch-up and engaged hyper-speed in the final 30 metres to power to the right-hand shoulder of the Jamaican and then ease his chest in front with no more than a metre or two remaining to the finish.

The victory was Gay’s, 9.88 sec to Powell’s 9.90, with Patton dying as much as Gay gained in the last 30 to finish third in 10.00 dead. "After 80 metres I had though that's it. I saw him coming, but I could not react," said Asafa Powell.

"I am very happy with my win," said Gay. "I tried hard to beat Asafa and I didn't quit the race, even though I was far behind him. My groin was sore but that didn't stop me to chase him and finally beat him. I had great energy inside me."

"I got surprised," said Powell. "I didn't expect Tyson Gay to come from behind and beat me.... I thought I had it at 80 metres."

Chris Turner

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Liu Xiang kembali berlari di Shanghai

SHANGHAI - Bintang lari berpagar China, Liu Xiang bakal membuat penampilan pertama sejak menjalani pembedahan kaki dengan beraksi pada Grand Prix Olahraga Shanghai, 20 September ini.

Kejohanan tersebut merupakan penampilan sulung buat bekas juara 110 meter Olimpik dan dunia itu selepas kecederaan memaksanya menarik diri pada Sukan Olimpik di Beijing, Ogos tahun lalu.

Persatuan Olahraga China (CAA) mengesahkan bahawa bintang besar mereka itu akan berlari di kampung halamannya selepas mendapat lampu hijau daripada doktor.

"Grand Prix Shanghai merupakan perlumbaan pertamanya selepas pulih daripada kecederaan, namun Liu Xiang masih memerlukan masa untuk kembali ke prestasi terbaik,'' kata penganjur dalam satu kenyataan.

Menurut penganjur, Xiang akan berentap dengan bintang Amerika Syarikat, Terrence Trammell dalam acara 110m.

"Pihak penganjur merayu peminat Liu agar memberi sokongan kepadanya tetapi jangan meletakkan harapan yang terlalu tinggi dalam keputusan akhir,'' menurut kenyataan itu lagi.

Kenyataan tersebut sekali gus menamatkan spekulasi lebih setahun mengenai bilakah juara Olimpik dan dunia 2004 itu akan kembali ke trek.

Xiang merupakan bintang besar China pada Olimpik Beijing 2008, namun dia mengecewakan jutaan rakyat negara itu selepas menari diri pada peringkat saringan dalam keadaan kesakitan.

Xiang, 27, menjalani pembedahan di Amerika Syarikat, Disember lalu untuk memperbaiki tendon tumit kaki kanannya dan telah menjalani latihan secara rahsia sebaik disahkan pulih.

Ramai yang menyuarakan rasa simpati dengan Xiang kerana tekanan keterlaluan yang terpaksa dipikulnya untuk segera menyiapkan diri menjelang Sukan Olimpik London 2012.

Jurulatih Xiang, Sun Haiping berharap perlumbaan di Shanghai akan menjadi persiapan terbaik kepada anak didiknya menjelang Kejohanan Olahraga Asia di Guangzhou, November ini, selain Sukan Asia Timur, Disember ini.

"Selepas tidak beraksi lebih setahun, dia amat bersemangat untuk kembali dalam perlumbaan yang kompetitif secepat mungkin,'' menurut kenyataan penganjur lagi.

Pengumuman itu tiba hanya tiga hari selepas pemenang tiga pingat emas Kejohanan Dunia, Usain Bolt mengesahkan dia menarik diri daripada perlumbaan di Shanghai kerana keletihan.

Tahun depan, Grand Prix Shanghai akan dimasukkan dalam 14 pusingan Liga Berlian yang menggantikan enam pusingan Liga Emas IAAF. - AFP

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Kembalinya Lui Xiang selepas berehat lebih 1 tahun setelah melakukan pembedahan....semoga semangat dia terus membara utk terus beraksi d pentas dunia

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

Long Jump - MEN

A dramatic last round 8.33m windy leap (2.4m/s) powered Australia’s Fabrice Lapierre to victory.

The 25-year-old who retained the title which he won in Stuttgart last year (third round; 8.14), had a little bit of luck on his side as his last round performance coincided with the only windy moment of the competition (all the other jumps of all 8 competitors in this four round competition were wind legal; 1.6m/s the stiffest other assisting breeze).

But that’s not taking anything away from the gritty Australian whose competitive spirit gave him the tenacity to launch himself from fifth place (7.84m; third round) to victory and secure the $30,000 prize with his final effort.

Until the third round the competition had been tied between the World champion and World silver medallist, respectively USA’s Dwight Phillips and South Africa’s Godfrey Mokoena, who had both leapt 8.13 and then 8.14 with their opening two efforts.

Phillips had broken the stalemate with an 8.24m performance on his third try while Mokoena fouled. Phillips’ mark held onto the lead (ultimately taking second) until passed by Lapierre’s last round 8.33. Mokoena improved to 8.17 on his last for third place, while Phillips had an 8.13 jump also in response to Lapierre’s big jump.

"I am very happy," said Lapierre. "I came here to jump 8.40 metres. I knew that I could have won with that. The level is very high now in the event and it will be higher as we will come closer to 2012 Olympics."

Chris Turner

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

5000m - MEN

The closest finish so far at the IAAF/VTB Bank World Athletics Final did not come in any sprint event. Instead it happened at the longest event on the programme in Thessaloniki: the 5000m. In a photo finish the first three were only seperated by one hundredth of a second! Ethiopia’s Imane Merga appeared to be the winner in 13:29.75 minutes, while Kenyans Micah Kogo and Edwin Soi followed in second and third, both given a time of 13:29.76.

Twelve men started the race, but apart from two Ethiopians all came from Kenya. Remarkably while Merga snatched victory for his country his fellow-countryman Ali Abdosh finished last. In between it was all Kenya.

The race could more or less be described as a warm-up for the final lap or may be even for the final 100 metres. The pace was so slow at the start that you might fear that it would produce a delay on the timetable – though there was a 25 minute gap to the next track event! It got faster then after the first round, but not much. 5:44.20 minutes was the split time for the 2000m mark.  

In the final part of the race Micah Kogo was leading and he tried to do it the same way as Kenenisa Bekele did it on the day before in the 3000m. During the last lap he responded whenever there was an attack from behind. But it did not work quite as well as for Bekele. On the homestraight he fought with Imane Merga, who was running next to him on the inside lane. On the outside meanwhile Edwin Soi, who had won this event during the past two years, came through strongly and seemed to win it. But the Kenyan celebrated too early. His hand crossed the line first, but that was not enough. “I am disappointed, I made a mistake,” Soi said, while the winners gave identical comments: “What a race.”

Jörg Wenig

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

Hammer Throw - MEN


Primoz Kozmus confirms his world No.1 spot in the hammer with a 79.80m victory (Getty Images)

World and Olympic Champion Primoz Kozmus (Slovenia) took the Hammer Throw and became the winner of the IAAF/VTB Bank World Athletics Final for the second time in a row. Last year in Stuttgart he had missed the 80m mark by just one centimetre, this time in Thessaloniki 79.80m were good enough for the winner’s prize of $30,000.

The men’s Hammer Throw was the first event on day two of the IAAF/VTB Bank World Athletics Final.

Primoz Kozmus had opened the competition with a 76.81m throw with which he was second behind Igors Sokolovs (Latvia), who had started with 78.07m. In round two the Olympic champion restored the order. Kozmus hit the 80m line with his hammer, though the measurement came up with a slightly shorter result: But 79.80m was good enough to take the lead and as it turned out far enough for victory as well.

Sokolovs tried his best to match Kozmus’ mark and improved to 78.84m in round three and even further to 79.32m at his final attempt. But there was no danger for Kozmus. While Sokolovs settled for second Kristian Pars (Hungary) was third with 77.49.

“I am in great form. After Berlin I also won here and now everyone wants to beat me. Hopefully more wins will come for me in the future,” said Primoz Kozmus.

It was not the day of Ali Mohamed Al-Zinkawi (Kuwait). After recent fine form and improvements up to 79.74m he this time fauled three times and had to be content with a first round throw of 73.61m and eighth place.

Jörg Wenig

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

400m Hurdles - WOMEN

World and Olympic champion Melaine Walker defended her World Athletics Final title as she outclassed the rest of the field in today’s 400m Hurdles final here in Thessaloniki.

The 26-year-old Jamaican also established a new Championships record 53.36 erasing World silver medallist Lashinda Demus’ four-year-old previous standard by just one hundredth of a second.

It will not be a day to remember for the American champion who had led until the ninth hurdle at the Berlin World Championships before she faltered and ended up with a somewhat disappointing second place. Demus had not raced since Berlin where she also contributed to the Americans' 4x400m gold medal by running a 50.1 third leg and was looking forward to reclaiming a title which had been hers in 2005 and 2006.

However the much awaited rematch between World gold and silver medallists was never to materialize as Demus fell to the floor just a few steps into the race with what seemed like a pretty serious hamstring injury.

With Demus an early casualty, there was hardly any challenge left for Walker who led from the gun and despite faltering on her approach to the eighth hurdle cruised to her third best of the year and the world’s sixth fastest of 2009.

“I had a pretty good race,” said Walker. “I felt very well during the warm up. I didn’t struggle at the finish. Next target will be the World record even though it is very difficult to achieve. I will try for the best.”

Walker netted a fine $30,000 pay cheque for the second year running while compatriot and MVP team-mate Kaliese Spencer prevailed in the race for second in 53.99. Spencer had a more conservative start but finished strongly over the final three barriers.

It was the second best ever performance for the former World Junior champion and fourth placer from Berlin who was well clear of Trinidad and Tobago’s Josianne Lucas in third.

25-year-old Lucas who has improved to a stunning 53.20 to claim bronze in Berlin was timed in 54.31 here three tenths clear of fourth placer Angela Morosanu of Romania.

2007 World Athletics Final winner Anna Jesien held on for fifth at 54.98 as the American duo of Sheena Tosta and Tiffany Williams never seemed to be in the mix for a prominent finish.

Laura Arcoleo

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

800m - WOMEN

Anna Willard’s late season momentum continued here today with her confident victory in the women’s 800m.

The 25-year-old, who began the season as the No. 2 American steeplechaser, ended it as one of the world's best 800m runners when she capped her breakout middle distance season with a 2:00.20 victory.

200 metres into the race, Willard tucked in behind leader Elisa Cusma and remained in second until taking the lead off the final turn. Striding on confidently, she was never really challenged to add yet another impressive victory to her 800m resume.

“I started well and ran fast for the first 200 metres to avoid getting pushed,” said Willard, who collected victories over the distance in New York, Paris, and Brussels. After a season in which she also joined the sub-four minute club in the 1500m with her 3:59.38 in Zurich two weeks ago and finished a solid fifth at the World Championships over the distance, Willard has admitted to taking a liking to the shorter distances.

“I prefer the 800,” Willard said, “but I also like the steeplechase.” For now, her plans are to continue competing in both along with the 1500m. Some more off-season reflection may change her mind.

Until tonight, no American woman has ever won a middle distance title at the World Athletics Final. Here, along with Maggie Vessey, Willard led a U.S. 1-2.

Maggie Vessey, the Eugene and Monaco winner this season, moved from seventh to second over the final 80 metres, reaching the line in 2:00.31 to edge Briton Jenny Meadows, the Berlin bronze medallist, by 0.10. Russian Mariya Savinova (2:00.72), the European indoor champion, also overtook Cusma (2:00.84) to finish fourth.

Bob Ramsak

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

Pole Vault - MEN

Maksym Mazuryk with a 5.70m victory was on song tonight, in what was otherwise an off key competition.

The event got under way at 5.50m and for Berlin bronze medallist Renaud Lavillenie, who set the French record and world season lead of 6.01m earlier this year, that’s where it ended with three failures.

That early demise robbed the audience of the anticipated core ingredient of this competition, the duel between France’s top-two, his counter part in that scenario Roman Mesnil, the two-time World silver medallist.

But in any case at the next height of 5.60, Mesnil who had cleared 5.50 on the first approach, also fell by the wayside.

In fact with 5.60 completed half of the 8 man field were already back in the changing room!

Progressing to 5.70 were Derek Miles, Maksym Mazuryk, Damiel Dossevi, and Viktoir Chistiakov, who each failed on their first attempts, for Miles it was his first mistake of the day.

But the story, what there was of one, didn’t last much longer as Mazuryk was the only one to succeed, on his second attempt.

The Ukrainian is 26-years-old, a former World Junior champion, with a personal best of 5.82m. If he surprised many with his fourth place finish in Berlin this summer then his victory tonight came as bomb shell.

Maksym Mazuryk was handed this victory on a plate, he was the best of a lack lustre competition but while many of his opponents had no excuses, excepting of course tiredness at the end of a long season, our winner can look the world straight in the face as he was vaulting at the boundary of his career best. He should have been rewarded with a new personal best but none of this attempts at the following 5.85m bar were close.

"I am always competitive," said the winner of $30,000. "I am very satisfied with myself. My victory wasn't a surprise for me because I know I am at the highest level. I was sure that I would have won a big competition this summer, in Berlin or here in Thessaloniki."

Chris Turner

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

Shot Put - WOMEN


Valerie Vili celebrates her huge heave of 21.07m in the women's Shot (Getty Images)

That Valerie Vili would win the final edition of the World Athletics Final wasn’t a particularly major surprise. That she would do so in such dominating fashion, to cap a season which began in February, certainly was.

The 24-year-old New Zealander, who took her second successive World title in Berlin last month, capped her stellar 2009 campaign with her finest competition ever, twice reaching beyond her previous personal best.

Fully relaxed after a solid 20.30m opener – no one except Vili, the reigning Olympic champion, had thrown farther this season – Vili exploded in the second round, launching her first career toss beyond the 21-metre line, which eventually landed at 21.07m.

She ended the competition with another big effort, a 20.72 toss, the second farthest of her career.

“I came here to perform well and it proved to be a great competition for me,” said Vili, who began her 2009 season at home in Waitakere on 20 February, and went on to win each of her 13 competitions this year.

Apparently pleased with her stellar campaign, Vili said, “No more competitions for me this year.” Instead, she’ll be leaving for Paris shortly to pick up her husband Bertrand and head onwards to a well deserved vacation.

Today’s was Vili’s 25th consecutive victory, currently the longest unbeaten streak in the sport. Her last loss came in this corresponding meet in 2007, when she was defeated by Nadezdha Ostapchuk of Belarus, the 2005 World champion.

Ostapchuk was second this time around, but more than a metre-and-a-half back with a 19.56m best. Her compatriot, 2008 Olympic silver medallist Natallia Mikhnevich was third, her best measured at 19.27.

Nadine Kleinert (19.05m) of Germany, who won a third World silver in Berlin last month, was the only other thrower to reach beyond 19 metres, and finished fourth.

Bob Ramsak

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

Discus Throw - WOMEN


Yarelis Barrios of Cuba dominates the women's Discus competition, setting a competition record of 65.86m (Getty Images)

Yarelis Barrios has built a knack for collecting silver in recent years but she again proved to be unbeatable at the season-capping World Athletics Final.

The 26-year-old Cuban, who has taken successive silver medals at the past two World Championships and at last year’s Olympic Games, won her second straight WAF title tonight in a competition where three of her four throws would have sufficed for victory.

Opening with a solid 63.90m throw, Barrios reached 65.86m in the second round, a season’s best and WAF record to seal the victory.

“I was well prepared,” said Barrios, who said a victory here was important to show that her runner-up finish to the young Australian, Dani Samuels, was a minor blip on her otherwise strong campaign. “Winning here was the ideal finale.”

It was the 11th victory in 17 competitions for Barrios, who also took her second Central American and Caribbean title this season. So ‘on’ was Barrios tonight that even her third throw of 63.82m was better than anyone else could muster on the warm northern Greek evening.

With a pair of throws beyond the 63m line, Poland’s Zaneta Glanc, fourth at the World Championships, was second here, with a 63.36m best from the fourth round.

Melina Robert-Michon, the French record holder and Mediterranean Games champion was third with a 61.74m best, to edge Romanian veteran Nicoleta Grasu.

Samuels, who followed up her Berlin triumph with a third place showing in Rieti, was well off her best here, finishing back in fifth with a 59.94m throw. Olympic champion and 2009 World leader Stephanie Brown Trafton (59.66m) fared even worse, finishing a well-beaten sixth.

Bob Ramsak

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

High Jump - WOMEN


World champion Blanka Vlasic sets a competition record of 2.04m in the women's high jump (Getty Images)

More often than not these days, most women's high jump competitions end with winner Blanka Vlasic adding to her collection of dazzling World record attempts. Tonight was no exception as the popular Croatian treated the capacity crowd at Kaftanzoglio stadium with both an impressive victory and a tantalizingly close meet-capping attempt at a would-be 2.10m World record.

Much as in Zagreb on 31 August, the two-time World champion was again in her element, putting together a flawless scorecard through 2.04m. While she slightly brushed both of her first attempt successes at 2.00m and 2.02m, her 2.04m clearance was the best of her five leaps until that point, boding well for her now customary attempts at the rarified air that only she and an elite group of history’s finest jumpers have ever experienced.

13 days ago in Zagreb, the 25-year-old raised her own national record to 2.08m, to take sole possession of the No. 2 spot all-time. There, she indicated that she could come close to that mark again in Thessaloniki, whose Mediterranean setting is very similar to that of her native Split on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. When she had the bar raised directly to a would-be World record of 2.10m, she made those intentions clear.

Warming up with her first attempt, her second was better but her third was the best, one of the closest ever according to Vlasic.

“I had a very good attempt at the record,” she said, adding that she doesn’t keep track of how many times she’s taken a stab at breaking Stefka Kostadinova’s 2.09m mark set 22 years ago. “I’m sure that the day will come that I am going to break the record. It will come, if I stay healthy and relaxed. I don’t have to be anxious with that.”

It was her 14th victory this season in 16 competitions and most significantly it showed how consistent the former two-time World junior champion has become. Back in May, she opened her season with a 2.05m leap.  Four months later, she ended it with a 2.04m effort.

As in Berlin, finishing second was Russian Anna Chicherova who topped 2.00m on her first try before bowing out with one attempt at 2.02m and a pair at 2.04m.

Italy’s Antonietta Di Martino and American Chaunte Howard both topped at 1.97m, with the Italian taking third on countback.

Bob Ramsak

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

1500m - MEN


Kenyan junior William Biwott Tanui upstages the seniors in the men's 1500m (Getty Images)

It was Augustine Choge all the way – except for the final 50 metres of the 1500m race at the IAAF/VTB Bank World Athletics Final. The Kenyan had led the field and was able to increase his speed in the final lap, but he had not enough energy left on the homestraight. William Biwott (Kenya) passed him to snatch victory and the $30,000 first prize with 3:35.04 minutes. Leonel Manzano (USA) came through to second in the final part of the race with 3.35.40 while Choge was third in 3:35.46. Times were not bad taking into account the late stage of the season.

19 year-old William Biwott had missed qualifying for the World Championships in Berlin earlier in the season and thus probably felt fresher than others in this race.

“In the final 100 metres the crowd pushed me forward. I really wanted to win and I am very happy that I made it,” said William Biwott, who had run a World junior mile record* earlier in the season in Oslo with 3:49.49 minutes. But this one in Thessaloniki was his biggest win so far.

While Choge seemed to give up after he was passed by Biwott and thus allowed Manzano to overtake him as well the Kenyan still finished ahead of the World champion. At the end of the season Youssef Saad Kamel (Bahrain) was not ready for another tough sprint finish. He had run almost on lane two for much of the race and then played no part in the sprint on the homestraight, finishing fourth in 3:36.11.

Jörg Wenig

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

3000m Steeplechase - MEN


True to form, Ezekiel Kemboi takes the men's steeplechase victory (Getty Images)

There were twelve men in the field but in reality this turned out to be a battle between just three; two Kenyans Berlin fourth placer Paul Kipsiele Koech and World champion Ezekiel Kemboi, and France’s European record holder Bob Tahri who had been the bronze medallist in Berlin.

This was the order of the race nearly all the way to the bell with Koech, obviously wanting to make-up for missing the podium at the World championships, pushing the pace – 1000m 2:42.30; 2000m 5:25.07 – and Kemboi following a couple metres back with Tahri occasionally coming to the shoulder of the World champion to show this was a three-way and not just an African affair.

At the sound of the bell Kemboi unleashed his expected attack and that was that, or was it, as coming off the final bend Koech tried to counter but he had forgotten the impressive finishing speed that his compatriot had inflicted on the world’s chasers in Berlin and the latter half of this season. Kemboi responded immediately and decisively and with the race buttoned-up eased over the line in 8:04.38.

Koech closed out in 8:05.47, with Tahri a distant third, 8:09.14.

Leading home rest in fourth with a national record was Ethiopia’s Roba Gary, 8:11.32, and Finland’s European champion Jukka Keskisalo in fifth, 8:12.04.

"It was planned to run that fast. I expected an 8:08 race. It was good for me to win once again in a big competition," confirmed Kemboi.

"I will try the 10km, maybe next year and the Marathon in Daegu 2011! I love Greeks. I also won the Olympic title in Athens in 2004. Maybe I am gonna come back on holiday."

Chris Turner

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

Triple Jump - WOMEN


Mabel Gay leaps 14.62m to win the women's triple jump (Getty Images)

Capping a consistent season which saw her take World Championships silver, Cuban Mabel Gay won her first World Athletics Final title with a near season’s best leap.

After opening with a modest 14.36m and 14.29m leaps, the 26-year-old found her rhythm to reach 14.62m in the third round to take the final Triple Jump title of the WAF era. The leap was just two centimetres shy of her season’s best and not far off of her 14.66m career best from 2007.

Gay arrived in Thessaloniki with the best momentum of the field, having won both of her post-Berlin outings in Tallinn and Zagreb. After several runner-up finishes behind her better-known teammate, the two-time World champion Yarelis Savigne, who was absent this weekend, Gay was given the opportunity to come out from the shadows. And she took full advantage.

But the former World youth and World junior champion had a scare. It took Biljana Topic until the fourth round to find her rhythm, and when she did leaped 14.56m to break her own Serbian record.

Tatyana Lebedeva, who was rocked by injury much of the season, is quite likely pleased with her third place finish, propelled by a season’s best 14.48m.

Laura Arcoleo and Bob Ramsak

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

Javelin Throw - MEN


Andreas Thorkildsen produces a last-round throw of 87.75m to win the Javelin Throw (Getty Images)

A two-man competition - Andreas Thorkildsen vs Tero Pitkämäki - was in reality a three throw event, well three throws of international importance that is.

Yes from an overall perspective this was a below-par Javelin Throw, only rescued from mediocrity in round three as the two protagonists managed to raise their game and clear 83 metres. World, Olympic and European champion Thorkildsen produced 83.89 and, following immediately in the throwing order, the Finn responded with 84.09.

In this limited (four round competition) that left the two men to fight it out for the win with their last attempts, and the Norwegian demolished any ambitions Pitkämäki, the former World champion, might have had of victory when with the penultimate throw of the whole competition he unleased 87.75m.

Pitkämäki could not respond, his last throw dipping down into the turf on the left-hand-side of the sector just beyond the 75m tape, his disappointment evident he placed his foot on the line so not to have the mark measured.

And that was it, $30,000 to Thorkildsen, and also in the context of the season it ended appropriately with Thorkildsen pre-eminent, top of the world, unopposed in 2009 – World champion (Berlin), world leader (91.28; Zurich), and now World Athletics Final winner.

Germany’s Mark Frank was third (82.46), and last year’s World Athletics Final winner, Vadims Vasilevskis, the only other 90m thrower this season other than Thorkildsen, totally off-form in fourth (81.86).

"I knew that these were my last throws of the season, so I put all my energy on the competition," said Thorkildsen. "This year was wonderful for me, as I won my first world title. My motivation from now on will be the World record. I know it's far enough from my personal best, but you' ll never know. I will try to improve my technique and have bigger throws. I also want to win as many titles as I can. Now I will go on vacation in Rome."

Chris Turner

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

3000m - WOMEN


Meseret Defar completes the distance double at the World Athletics Final with victory in the 3000m (Getty Images)

Less than hour after the final curtain was drawn on the era of the World Athletics Final, Meseret Defar underscored her role as one of the finest competitors of the season-capping two-day meet. After ensuring that the pace would be honest, the Ethiopian kicked home to victory in the 3000m to collect her ninth WAF title.

A day after winning a tactical 5000m contest with long-time rival Tirunesh Dibaba, Defar nabbed her sixth straight WAF 3000m title in fine style, clocking a world-leading 8:30.15 and in the process defend her double WAF titles.

“I expected a faster race,” said Defar, something in the range of 8:25, “but I tied my shoe tighter than usual and that caused problems with my stride.”

It didn’t show.

The 2004 Olympic 5000m champion took control of the lead early on, bringing the pack through the first 1000 metres in just over 2:50. Hoping the run the kick out of Defar’s legs, Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot, who defeated Defar in the World Championships 5000m last month, took her turn with the lead some five minutes into the race. But she had no response when Defar took control for good off the final turn. It was a close battle until about 40 metres remained, but Cheruiyot was finished, and the victory Defar’s.

Cheruiyot reached the line in 8:30.61, a season’s best with Ethiopian Wude Ayalew third in 8:30.93.  A little further back, Kenyan Iness Chenonge, who was still in contention with 800 metres remaining, was fourth, her 8:37.17 also a career best. Likewise for Ethiopian Lakidan Gezahegne who was fifth in 8:38.61.

Bob Ramsak

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

400m - WOMEN


Sanya Richards puts in a late kick to win the women's 400m (Getty Images)

Sanya Richards has been the dominant force in the women’s 400m for the past five years yet it wasn’t until 2009 that she managed to win a major championships title. Tonight the 24-year-old American champion concluded the season which has seen her win her first World Championships title and her third Golden League Jackpot with an impressive fifth World Athletics Final title at 400m – and her sixth if we include her 2008 200m win.

Coming off two sub-49 win in Zurich and Brussels, Richards was poised to challenge her three-year-old American record 48.70 which was set on Greek soil at the Athens World Cup and the Kingston-born athlete looked well on schedule after running her fastest 200 in three years to finish second to Allyson Felix last night.

Running in lane six, Richards blasted out of the blocks and after 100 metres had already made up the stagger on 2007 World silver medallist Nicola Sanders who was running on her outside. After an impressive opening bend, Richards ran a more conservative back stretch letting Shericka Williams in lane four and Novlene Williams-Mills in lane five not only make ground but speed past her as the trio entered the final bend.

An unusual sight, it was Shericka holding the lead coming into the home straight and Novlene half a step behind. At that point Richards was clearly in third; one has to be honest, it is hard to remember the last time Richards was seen trailing coming off the final bend.

However, her confidence obviously boosted Richards was never seen panicking. Wearing a ‘Livestrong’ yellow vest to support Lance Armstrong’s foundation – the same she was seen wearing at the Paris Golden League meeting at the time of the Tour de France – Richards sped past the Jamaican pair with 60 metres to go and went on to take a clear win, her 10th consecutive this year, in 49.95.

Novlene prevailed over her compatriot Shericka 50.34 to 50.49 as Sanders finished off strong to come from a very distant sixth coming into the final 100 to fourth in 51.01.

African champion Amantle Montsho held off Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu for fifth by just three hundredths of a second.

“I didn’t fulfill my promise and I didn’t break the US record,” said Richards. “But fatigue from yesterday’s race came up on me. My legs were a little bit sore too.”

Richards now holds a record 51 sub 50-clockings which make her the most prolific one-lap runner of all time.

Laura Arcoleo

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IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final 2009 (Day 2)

200m - MEN


Usain Bolt eases down slightly before the line in the 200m as the clock stops at 19.68 (Getty Images)

Usain Bolt ended his season with a time of 19.68 seconds in the 200 m of what was the final ever edition of the IAAF/VTB Bank World Athletics Final.

Clearly the Jamaican was no longer in his best shape after long weeks of competitions. But for those who got used to faster times whenever Jamaica’s superstar entered a track one should remember that for many years Pietro Mennea’s World record stood at 19.72. The Italian had run this in 1979 and it was not until the Olympics 1996 when Michael Johnson (USA) finally broke it. So 19.68 is still a great time – though may be not too fast by Usain Bolt’s remarkable standards.

After a false start by Marlon Devonish (Great Britain) the race got under way at the second attempt. The World record holder (19.19* in Berlin in August) had not run the bend as hard as in the World Championships final or as in Brussels nine days earlier. Still Bolt did enough to enter the homestraight with a comfortable lead. He then increased the gap to Wallace Spearmon (USA) until 50 metres to go and then just kept going with less than a full effort. With his 19.68 Bolt tied the meeting record established by Tyson Gay (USA) in 2006.

As in Brussels, Wallace Spearmon finished second behind the Jamaican in 20.21. And again the gap here was more than half a second.

Brendan Christian (Antigua & Barbuda) took third with 20.65.

“Today I did not surprise myself as in Brussels. I wanted to run faster but I was really tired after the long season. No more races for me, it is time to rest,” said  Bolt.

Jörg Wenig