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United States wins 3 golds at worlds
Source: Agencies |
September 2, 2011, Friday
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IN a golden half hour for the United States, three Americans won world championship titles in Daegu yesterday, none more surprising than Jennifer Barringer Simpson getting the first 1,500-meter victory since Mary Decker-Slaney in 1983.
Jesse Williams added the first high jump world title in two decades and Lashinda Demus ran the third fastest time in history to take the women's 400 hurdles.
At the end of the night, the United States led the medal standings with seven gold medals and 12 overall. Russia was closest with four gold and 12 in total.
"What a wonderful night for our team," Williams said. "Will I celebrate? You can bet on that. We will have a big party."
On a day of surprises, double-amputee runner Oscar Pistorius reached his first major final yesterday, leading off South Africa's 4x400-meter relay team and helping it qualify with a national record. The South African team is to decide early today whether the Paralympic star would still be in the starting lineup for today's final since it could also use yesterday's 400 hurdles bronze medalist L.J. van Zyl.
For the surprising haul of the Americans, the face of Simpson told it all. She did not even figure in the top 10 of this season's performers before outpacing all the favorites and winning the first title for the United States in the race in 28 years.
"I am supposed to say that I am not surprised," said Simpson, who had the 25th best time of the season heading into the worlds. "All I can say is that a dream has come true."
Curse of cover
The "Curse of the Cover" of the official program claimed another victim yesterday. Usain Bolt, Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva and Cuban hurdler Dayron Robles were among the stars meeting with debacle after appearing on the cover, and this time it was two-time defending women's triple jump champion Yargelis Savigne of Cuba.
She was forced to withdraw with a right thigh injury halfway through the competition when she was trailing in sixth place. Instead, Olha Saladuha of Ukraine won the gold, beating world indoor champion Olga Rypakova of Kazakhstan.
Even Britain got into the act yesterday, with David Greene taking the men's 400-meter hurdles ahead of Javier Culson of Puerto Rico and Van Zyl, a welcome break from days of mishap and a boost ahead of next year's London Olympics.
The Welshman still had plenty of ground to make up on Puerto Rican pace-setter Javier Culson when they jumped the final hurdle but puffed his cheeks out and found an extra burst of pace to win the gold in 48.26 seconds.
"I am just overwhelmed," he said. "I cannot believe it has happened to me. When I get back to the hotel tonight, I will realize my dream came true. I love representing Great Britain."
Injuries to some of his rivals and a mistake by Culson eased his path, however. A groin injury had robbed the one-lap hurdles of American double defending champion Kerron Clement, who failed to get through the heats, while his compatriot Taylor has been suffering from plantar fasciitis.
Jesse Williams added the first high jump world title in two decades and Lashinda Demus ran the third fastest time in history to take the women's 400 hurdles.
At the end of the night, the United States led the medal standings with seven gold medals and 12 overall. Russia was closest with four gold and 12 in total.
"What a wonderful night for our team," Williams said. "Will I celebrate? You can bet on that. We will have a big party."
On a day of surprises, double-amputee runner Oscar Pistorius reached his first major final yesterday, leading off South Africa's 4x400-meter relay team and helping it qualify with a national record. The South African team is to decide early today whether the Paralympic star would still be in the starting lineup for today's final since it could also use yesterday's 400 hurdles bronze medalist L.J. van Zyl.
For the surprising haul of the Americans, the face of Simpson told it all. She did not even figure in the top 10 of this season's performers before outpacing all the favorites and winning the first title for the United States in the race in 28 years.
"I am supposed to say that I am not surprised," said Simpson, who had the 25th best time of the season heading into the worlds. "All I can say is that a dream has come true."
Curse of cover
The "Curse of the Cover" of the official program claimed another victim yesterday. Usain Bolt, Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva and Cuban hurdler Dayron Robles were among the stars meeting with debacle after appearing on the cover, and this time it was two-time defending women's triple jump champion Yargelis Savigne of Cuba.
She was forced to withdraw with a right thigh injury halfway through the competition when she was trailing in sixth place. Instead, Olha Saladuha of Ukraine won the gold, beating world indoor champion Olga Rypakova of Kazakhstan.
Even Britain got into the act yesterday, with David Greene taking the men's 400-meter hurdles ahead of Javier Culson of Puerto Rico and Van Zyl, a welcome break from days of mishap and a boost ahead of next year's London Olympics.
The Welshman still had plenty of ground to make up on Puerto Rican pace-setter Javier Culson when they jumped the final hurdle but puffed his cheeks out and found an extra burst of pace to win the gold in 48.26 seconds.
"I am just overwhelmed," he said. "I cannot believe it has happened to me. When I get back to the hotel tonight, I will realize my dream came true. I love representing Great Britain."
Injuries to some of his rivals and a mistake by Culson eased his path, however. A groin injury had robbed the one-lap hurdles of American double defending champion Kerron Clement, who failed to get through the heats, while his compatriot Taylor has been suffering from plantar fasciitis.
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