Robinson wins tight 800m at Heusden
Sunday 23 July 2006
Heusden-Zolder, Belgium - There was a lot of oxygen and a little bit of magic in the air again at Heusden-Zolder last night (Sat 24 July).
Latasha Jenkins turned out as a surprise women’s 100m winner (11.03) in a race that was expected to be a duel between World Champion Lauryn Williams and local sprint star Kim Gevaert. Derrick Brew edged out Michael Blackwood in the men’s 400m (44.96), while Khadevis Robinson produced an ultimate effort to take victory in the 800m (1.44.61). Four national records were set in the women’s the 3000m Steeplechase with Kenyan Jeruto Kiptum winning in 9:26.79. Fellow Kenyan Micah Kogo proved to be the fastest in the 5000m (13:06.49).
Fiegen break’s national record on the heels of Robinson
The weather conditions were ideal for running after early morning showers had broken down the tropical heat of the past days. Achraf Tadili won the men’s 800m B-race in 1:45.36, setting out a tough challenge for the men that were due to start in the A-race.
In that later encounter Brazil’s Osmar Dos Santos paced the field through the 600m mark in 1:15. “At that point I thought I had won the race”, said USA’s Khadevis Robinson. “When I took over the Kuwaiti Al-Azemi, the race seemed to be in the pocket. But then Bram Som and David Fiegen made their move and I had to give it everything to hold them off.”
The final result brought victory to the American in 1:44.61, with Dutchman Som, second in a season’s best of 1:44.91, and Fiegen, third in a Luxembourg record of 1:44.96. In all the top-8 went below 1:46.
“I’m happy that David Fiegen broke his national record. When I’m in Europe I am based in Luxembourg and we train together a lot. We’ve become close friends. I have my sights set on Stockholm (25 July IAAF SGP) now before I return back to the US to see my coach Johnny Gray,” confirmed Robinson.
In the women’s 800m, Mina Ait-Hammou won in a close fight with Jamaican Jemma Simpson. In the end the Moroccan got the better of her opponent -1:59.92 to 1:59.99 – the runner’s-up time a personal best.
Jenkins upsets Williams
Lauryn Williams (11.09) was beaten into second place thanks to a late surge from Latasha Jenkins (11.03) in the women’s 100m, both sprinters establishing their season’s best times. Belgium’s Kim Gevaert was third in 11.10, her second best ever on the distance.
“I don’t feel disturbed about this race. I’m getting better through the races and my level is improving all the time. The season is not over yet. I just need more time and more races to reach my very best level”, said the World champion.
The Bahamas’ Debbie Ferguson who was fourth in the 100m (11.15) was impressive in her first 200m race of this summer. The Olympic bronze medallist at the distance held off a late attack from Gevaert to win in 22.56, from the Belgian’s 22.63.
Britain’s Tim Benjamin, starting in one of the outside lanes in the men’s 400m, went off very quickly. USA’s Derrick Brew closed in as he saw Benjamin fading (eventual 6th, 45.61) but had enough to resist the threat of Jamaica’s Michael Blackwood, with Brew winning in a season’s best of 44.96, two hundredths ahead of him . The crowd was cheering as Cedric van Branteghem settled for third in 45.39.
The in form Congolese Gary Kikaya, swapped his usual one alp race for the 200m, cruising to victory in 20.53, while Jamaican Ainsley Waugh took home the men’s 100m in 10.17.
Brave and lonely steeple effort from Matelong
There was only a small gap in the leading group when the last pacemaker dropped off the race. This was the occasion for Richard Matelong to accelerate and to force an early decision in the 3000m steeplechase. His 8:08.44 looked deceptively easy. “It’s a pity that I lost contact with the leader”, said Daniel Lincoln, who after his national record in Rome last week is putting American steeplechasing back in the picture. “I was faster again than my old PB and that is satisfying enough.” Lincoln came in second in 8:11.96.
At the bell there was a leading group of 9 athletes in the men’s 5000m. Two 20-year-old Kenyans had some speed left with Micah Kogo beating James Murigi into second. Sixth placed Briton Mo Farah set a massive PB of 13.09.40. The B-race was won by Tony Kiprop in 13:19.41.
Kiptum dominates the women’s chase
There is of course Kenyan honour to defend in the steeplechase event and World bronze medallist Jeruto Kiptum did that brilliantly. She led a group of seven athletes in the final laps of the women’s 3000m Steeplechase and did not allow any athlete to move past, winning in 9:26.79, a national record.
Australian Victoria Mitchell, who came in second (9:30.92), was slightly disappointed. “I was hoping the pace would be faster. I wanted to break the 9:30 mark today and it was possible because I felt great. I’m getting fitter all the time and I’m increasing training. That’s what makes you run faster. My final kick is still weak, I’ll have to work on that.”
In third, came Roísín McGettigan in 9:32.04, an Irish record, and their were best ever national clockings too further down the field for Belgium and Sweden.
The extended sprinting effort from 19-year-old Augustine Choge in the men’s 1500m was one of the other highlights of the evening. The Commonwealth 5000m champion bringing home the win in 3:33.51.
Hellebaut keeps flying high
As a youngster Tia Hellebaut was a high jumper, but she loves all events and soon the Heptathlon stole her heart. But after breaking the national Heptathlon record recently in Götzis - “my appointment with history” - she has been concentrating on the High Jump again on the international circuit and to great results.
“I cannot believe what has happened to me. In 2005, my personal best stood at 1.95m and now I’ve already cleared 2.00m twice and I showed consistency throughout all my competitions. My training program tells me that my best form is yet to come. That means Gothenburg (European champs), but in the
High Jump good or bad luck can decide on the medal positions.” Hellebaut was the only Belgian winner of this year’s Heusden meet, with a clearance at 1.98m and two convincing attempts at 2.01m.
Lolo Jones does it again
Nothing can stop Lolo in the summer of 2006. One week ago Lolo Jones had a personal best of 12.68 at 100m Hurdles. Now her best mark stands at 12.56, a time which led home a USA sweep of the top four places last night, and moves her into 6th place on the current season’s list.
Joel Brown was the fastest starter in the men’s 110m Hurdles, but he was overtaken by David Oliver, who crossed the line in 13.27.
The Pole Vault was won by Steven Hooker with 5.76m, and Frantz Kruger propelled the Discus to 62.74m.
Ivo Hendrix for the IAAF
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