Saturday, 09 February 2008 Soboleva 1:56.48 in Moscow – Russian Indoor Championships, Day 2
Moscow, Russia - One of the most prestigious Russian national records was broken by Yelena Sobleva today when she clocked 1:56.49 to win the 800m title to highlight the second day of the Russian Indoor Championships.
Coming ten days after her national record in the rarely-contested 1 Mile, the World Indoor record holder in the 1500m was just 0.67 seconds shy of the World indoor record in the 800m.
Moves up to No. 4 all-time
Her mark elevates the 25-year-old to the No. 4 spot all-time, with the fastest performance in nearly five season. Her 200m splits: 200m, 29.7; 400m, 58.2; and 600m, 1;26.85.
Behind her, three others dipped under two minutes: Natalya Ignatova (1:58.84), Marya Savinova (1:59.71) and Marya Shapaeva (1:59.71). For the latter it was a national record in the Under-23 division.
Kapachinskaya takes 200, Zykova 400, with world leads
Former world 200m champion Anastasiya Kapachinskaya took the world lead in the 200m clocking 23.02 over the women’s full-lap contest. Showing solid form and good disposition, Kapachinskaya seems to be preparing well for the Olympic season. Anna Geflikh was the runner-up in 23.16 while Ludmila Zuenko took the bronze in 23.50. It is interesting to note that Juliya Chermoshanskaya clocked 23.32 in the B consolation final.
The women’s 400m was at the centre of the spectator’s attention. Unfortunately Olga Zaitzeva, who clocked 51.42 yesterday, failed to participate in the final. In her absence it was Olesya Zykova who got the golden medal in 51.09, yet another world-leading performance. Natalya Nazarova was the distant runner-up (51.57) with Juliya Guzshina third (51.73).
Maxim Deldyn, who is the leader of the Russian season, won the men’s 400m as expected in 46.36, slightly slower than his 46.22 in the heats. Vladislav Frolov was second (46.39) and Denis Alekseev third (46.67).
The men’s 200m was dominated by last year’s champion Roman Smirnov who clocked 21.06, the fastest time by a Russian this season. The 20-year-old Dmitriy Buryak finished second in 21.22. After the award ceremony Smirnov said that he would try his luck in his 200m and in the 4x100m Relay where the Russian national team would like to get the chance to fight for a place in the Olympic final.
Nothing special was produced in the men’s 3000m final: Aleksei Reunkov (7:59.12), Stanislav Anizshenko (7:59.44) and Pavel Shapovalov didn’t set the Moskva River on fire.
Specialists from other distances were the key names in the women’s 3000m. Yelena Sidorchenkova, who is more known as a steeplechaser, won it in 8:44.61. Olga Komyagina, more known as a pace-maker, was fighting until the final stage and finished second in 8:48.71. And Marya Konovalova, who normally runs long distance outdoors, was third (8:49.52).
Near-miss at 2.05 for Slesarenko
The jumping events were breath-taking as some of the leaders of the Russian season tried to set national records or establish world leads. In the women’s High Jump three attempts by Olympic champion Yelena Slesarenko at 2.05 were not so lucky, but twice she was very close to the record. Slesarenko won the competition at 2.01, with Yekaterina Savchenko second at 1.99, an indoor personal best. Tatyana Kivimiagi was third at 1.94.
Many expected Irina Simagina to surpass the seven metre mark in the women’s Long Jump. And perhaps Simagin herself wanted it too much. All her successful jumps were over 6.70m and in the best one she leapt to 6.81. Simagina said that the sector was good, and it was not to be blamed. Surprisingly her opponents were also satisfied with their results, which were rather average. Olga Kucherenko reached 6.70 and Natalya Lebusova 6.54.
In the men’s Pole Vault Russian leader Evgeniy Lukyanenko tried his luck at 5.86 but failing to get the world lead, did clear 5.75 for the win. Pavel Gerasimov and Dmitriy Starodubtzev tied at 5.65.
Athens Olympic medallist Danil Burkenya won the men’s Triple Jump with a16.93 effort ahead of Evgeniy Plotnir (16.80) and Aleksandr Petrenko.
Nickolai Dolgopolov and Rostislav Orlov for the IAAF