Randy Lewis reaches a new Grenadian national record in the triple jump (© Bruno Miani/CBAt)
Sao Paulo, Brazil27old Grenadian Randy Lewis produced the best result of the “Grande Prêmio São Paulo/Caixa de Atletismo”, held at the track of the “Estádio Ícaro de Castro Melo” in São Paulo, by triple-jumping to a National Record of 17.49 (wind nil).
The São Paulo meet is one of a select group of Area meetings at which points can be acquired by athletes to qualify for the IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final, to be held on 13-14 September in Stuttgart.
Next – and last – in the Brazilian series of meets will be the “Grande Prêmio Brasil/Caixa de Atletismo”, which shall be held in Belém on 25 May.
National record surprise win for Lewis
Lewis, who had the previous NR with a 17.43m jump set at the 2007 London GP, scored a great victory over illustrious competitors, such as world leader Cuban David Giralt (17.50 this season), and 2007 World Championships silver medallist, Brazilian Jadel Gregório.
In the good jumping and sprinting conditions of São Paulo (850m above sea level), the Grenadian opened with 17.01, and followed with 17.49. Later he passed his third jump, fouled his fourth, and passed again on his two remaining attempts. Lewis had jumped a wind aided 17.44 (+2.4) at the Doha Super Grand Prix on 9 May, and his legal best for the season was 17.07, also from Doha.
American Aarik Wilson was second with a SB of 17.11 (-0.4), while Bahamian Leevan Sands was third with 16.98 (-0.2). Gregório finished fourth with 16.91 (1.2), while Giralt was only sixth with his 16.67 (-0.3) jump from round two, and then left the competition with an injury.
Solid 800m victory for Kombich
Kenyan Ismael Kombich produced the best track result of the day by winning the 800m in 1:44.90, a PB that will move him to the third spot on the 2008 World Lists.
Kombich lead at 400m with a moderate pace of 50.17, and finished strongly to beat compatriot Gilbert Kipchoge (SB of 1:45.88), Brazilian Kléberson Davide (SB of 1:46.49) and American Jonathan Johnson (SB of 1:46.90). The winner of race 2 was Argentinean Leonardo Price with a PB of 1:46.90.
At the 200m, Brazilian Sandro Rodrigues Viana showed he is the best Brazilian sprinter of the moment by winning with a PB of 20.32 (wind nil). Viana beat comfortably Antigua’s Brendan Christian (20.48) and American Greg Nixon (20.59). Christian was the clear favorite coming from a 20.12 NR set in Fort-de-France on 8 May.
In the other track events of the day, Jamaican Nesta Carter won the 100m in 10.17 (0.6), ahead of American Ivory Williams. Ecuadorian Byron Piedra took the 5000m in a 13:53.60 PB, beating Kenyans Patrick Langat (13:54.06) and Julius Nyamu (13:54.75), who’s a Steeplechase specialist with a fine PB of 8:07.59.
In the 110m Hurdles, American Joel Brown won race 1 in 13.55 (wind +1.0), ahead of compatriot Linnie Yarbrough (13.57), Jamaican Ricardo Phillips (13.66) and Brazilian Êder de Souza (SB of 13.66). Another Brazilian, Matheus Inocêncio won race 2 (also with +1.0) in a SB of 13.66.
On the infield, Brazilian Rogério Bispo took the Long Jump in 8.01 (0.7), ahead of compatriot Rúbens dos Santos, who set a PB of 7.98 (-0.3), and in the Javelin, Colombian Noraldo Palacios won with a SB of 78.57.
American Bryan Clay, the 2005 World Decathlon champion, and Heptathlon 2008 World Indoor Champion, took part in two events as a part of his Olympic preparation. Clay was fifth in 100m (race 2) with 10.38 (wind +2.3), and sixth in race 1 of 110m Hurdles, with 14.03.
Murer opens season with 4.60
Brazilian Fabiana Murer, the 2008 World Indoor Championships bronze medallist, opened her outdoor campaign with a good victory with a 4.60m leap.
Murer, who tied for sixth place at the 2007 Osaka World Championships with 4.65, had a solid contest, clearing 4.30 and 4.40 with her first attempt, 4.50 on her second, 4.55 on her third, and 4.60 on her first, before recording two fouls at 4.65 and her remaining at 4.71.
American April Steiner, with a 4.63 leap this season, was second with her 4.55 second attempt clearance, while compatriot Tracy O’Hara followed with 4.30.
Maggi and Danisová-Hrašnová consistent on the infield
Brazilian Maurren Maggi, the silver medallist in the Long Jump at the World Indoor Championships this year, took her event with a good 6.87 (0.4) performance. Maggi is coming from a SB of 6.91 set on 18 May at the Rio de Janeiro meet.
Maggi’s series of jumps was very even: 6.75, foul, 6.79, 6.87, 6.85, 6.85.
Jamaican Jovanee Jarrett was second with 6.61 (0.5), while Brazilian Keila Costa was third with 6.57 (0.4).
In the Hammer, Slovak Martina Danisová-Hrašnová won the event with a 71.52 toss. Danisová-Hrašnová has a SB of 73.11, and threw 71.06 at the Rio meet. Colombian Eli Johana Moreno was second with 63.65, and Brazilian Josiane Soares was third with 63.64. South American record holder and 2006 NCAA Champion, Argentina’s Jennifer Dahlgren, was only fifth with 61.72, showing the effects of a foot injury.
Fraser the best on the track
Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser posted the best result of the female track events in São Paulo. The 21 year-old won the 200m (wind -0.3) with a solid PB of 22.83. Laverne Jones (ISV) was second with a SB of 22.89, while American Debbie Dunn was third with 22.90.
Two hours prior to the 200 race, Jones had won the 100 in 11.35 (+0.7), beating Brazilian Lucimar Moura (11.37) and American Wylleshia Myrick (11.41). Seventeen year-old Brazilian Rosângela Santos was fourth, also with 11.41, setting a PB. Santos, silver medalist of the 2007 World Youth Championships, is one of the main hopes of her country for the upcoming World Junior Championships.
The other track events contested were the 800 and 5000m.
In the two lap race, Jamaican Mardrea Hyman, now a Steeplechase specialist, showed she still has speed, and won in a SB of 2:03.62, ahead of Brazilian Perla Regina dos Santos (2:03.83).
The 5000 went to Brazilian Fabiana Cristine da Silva in 16:04.31.
González also takes Shot in São Paulo
Cuban Misleidis González won the highly contested Shot Put with an 18.69 effort. Trinidad and Tobago’s Cleopatra Borel-Brown was second with 18.68, and another Cuban, Mailín Vargas, was third with 18.53. Americans Liz Wanless and Kristin Heaston finished fourth and fifth respectively with SB’s of 18.33 and 18.30, while the 2004 Olympic Champion, Cuban Yumileidi Cumbá, was a distant sixth with 17.74.
Eduardo Biscayart for the IAAF
