Russians Take Gold and Silver in 50km walk
Sergey Bakulin finished ahead of teammate Denis Nizhegorodov to secure two more medals for Russia. Australia’s Jarred Tallent took bronze in this opening event on day eight of the championships.
Britain’s Women Miss Out on Medals as USA Takes Relay Gold
The American women emulated their men to win the 4 x 400m title from lane 6. With Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards-Ross running the first two legs they established a commanding lead ahead of Jamaica. Russia challenged the Caribbean women at one stage for second place, but Shericka Williams came away from Anastasiya Kapachinskaya in the home straight to secure the silver. The UK’s team finished fourth.
Kiprop Bests Compatriot Kiplagat over 1500m
It was a Kenyan one-two in this middle distance final. Asbel Kiprop beating the Commonwealth champion Silas Kiplagat in 3:35.69 to take gold and silver. The United States’ Matthew Centrowitz took bronze ahead of Manuel Olmedo and the other African athletes.
Vlasic Loses High Jump Title
Croatia’s Blanka Vlasic couldn’t make it three world titles in a row in the women’s high jump. Russia’s Anna Chicherova cleared five successive heights at the first attempt, with the defending champion needing two chances to get over 2m and 2m 3cm, which handed gold to the challenger.
Italy’s Antonietta Di Martino took bronze ahead of Chicherova’s teammates Yelena Slesarenko and Svetlana Shkolina. America’s Brigetta Barrett finished down in tenth place.
De Zordo Dethrones Thorkildsen
Germany won another gold medal in the field when Matthias de Zordo launched the javelin over 86m with his opening throw in the men’s javelin final. Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen could not produce a similar showing and lost his crown. He settled for silver with 84m 78cm with his fourth round effort ahead of Cuba’s Guillermo Martinez at 84m 30cm in third.
Pearson Wins Aussies’ First Gold in Women’s 100m Hurdles
Australia’s Sally Pearson ran the fourth fastest time in history to bring home the world title in the sprint hurdles. She clocked 12.28 seconds, a championship record, ahead of American pair Danielle Carruthers and Dawn Harper who had to be separated by a photo finish to determine who took silver and who had to settle for bronze. They both ran personal bests of 12.47 seconds with the UK’s Tiffany Porter finished in fourth behind them.
Bolt Retains 200m Title
Undoubtedly the highlight of day eight’s action, Usain Bolt took to the track in a bid to put the disappointment of disqualification in the 100m behind him in the second men’s sprint final. Walter Dix of the USA and Frenchman Christophe Lematire were his main challengers.
The Jamaican had a tough draw, having to take a tight bend in lane three. Nonetheless he flew out of the blocks, took the turn into the home straight fantastically and gunned for the line in 19.40 seconds to successfully defend his crown. American Dix was the closest to him, running 19.70 to take silver, whilst Lemaitre recorded a personal best of 19.80 to capture the bronze.
