Christine Arron of France wins her 100m heat (© Getty Images)
Christine Arron set two national record during the third and last day of the French Indoor Championships today, with 7.06 at 60m and 6.11 at 50m (intermediate time). Salim Sdiri confirmed his current great shape with a 8.23m Long Jump.
A youthful Arron is unstoppable
For Christine Arron, 32-years-old, 2006 is so far her best indoor season ever as she has bettered her season best race after race. Opening with 7.26 and 7.20 in Mondeville, she improved to 7.19 and 7.17 in Eaubonne before a convincing 7.16 win in Birmingham.
Today in Aubière, three races were planned in the same day with 1 hour rest between each round, allowing the sprinters not to warm-up completely for each race and gradually improve their shape. Arron opened with 7.16 in heats, followed by 7.12 in semis and 7.06 in final, 0.02 seconds faster than her 2004 national record done on the same track.
According to the delighted Guadeloupean, the best is yet to come: “this week was difficult because I was ill, but I recovered well. My coach Guy Ontanon was constantly repeating to me 7.07, 7.07… I still need to work my start and now I’m going to train very hard until Moscow to meet the Russians, the Jamaicans and the Americans who all have already run around 7.10.”
The World Leading mark is 7.04 by Bolikova (RUS) and Campbell (JAM), and Arron feels she can run faster.
Arron was officially timed at 50m in 6.19 (heats), 6.15 (semis) and another national record with 6.11 (final, 10th= on all-time world Lists, after a 0.147 reaction time). Delphine Atangana (CMR) took second place in 7.29, after a 7.19 personal best in semi-finals in which she was timed in 6.19 at 50m, new national record.
Sdiri flying too
Salim Sdiri was the male star of the day. Breaking his own national record in his opening meet one month ago (8.27m), Sdiri challenged that mark at each attempt today, the best being at 8.23m. One of his jumps was measured at 8.32m, but even if this one was fouled by less than 1 centimetre, it brings hopes of Gold for Moscow where he will be up-against season world leader Ignisious Gaisah (8.36m).
Milazar breaks Mauritian record
The major men’s track race occurred in the 400m final. Brice Panel, 22, confirmed his good improvements in running his best ever 400m indoor and outdoor included, in 46.70. Eric Milazar (MRI), who led at the bell, won in a new Mauritian national record (46.28). Fadil Bellaabouss took 3rd place and Silver in 47.11, Teddy Venel snapping bronze from Marc Raquil, 47.38 versus 47.39. 2006 was the 30-year-old Milazar’s first ever indoor season and he is now in position to capture a medal in Moscow, just like France at 4x400m relay.
The women’s 400m was won by Senegalese Amy Mbacké Thiam in 52.99 as Aurore Kassambara took the national title in 54.14.
France will send a high jumper to Moscow, as Mustafa Raifak did 2.28m on his third attempt.
Other notable wins by uncontested national aces include Pole Vaulter Vanessa Boslak at Pole Vault (4.30m, coming back from knee injury in December), and female shot putter Laurence Manfredi (17.19m after a 17.55m in qualification). Also showing good shape were the male shot putters, Gaëtan Bucki 19.70m and Yves Niaré 19.54m.
In the absence of the French leaders, Cédric Lavanne took the men’s 60m Hurdles title in 7.80 (Ladji Doucouré preparing for the outdoor season), Antoine Martiak won the 800m in 1:49.79 (Florent Lacasse is switching from indoor races to Cross-Country), and Vincent Le Dauphin conquered the 3000m in 8:04.84 (Bouabdellah Tahri is in a training camp in South Africa).
A notable feat occurred in the women’s 1500m final, as Maria Martins fell down in the first few metres but still won the race in 4:26.28.
P-J Vazel for the IAAF
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