FirstRoman ŠEBRLE, CZE
That was crazy competition. With so many ups and downs. After pole vault I was thinking that it will be bad, after javelin again good. But I could not be sure before the 1,500 m so I tried to control the race and go with Maurice or Dmitriy. This is the toughest of all my titles and very emotional. I did not had the shape which I expected after the training camp. But as it proved decathlon is finished only after the last event. You need to fight till the end. Now I have full collection of medals and titles, but my motivation still remains. I need to defend my title from Athens next year. It is a sport, that some of the competitors did not finish and I want to wish them best of luck. This title goes for my wife and my two kids.
Second - Maurice SMITH, JAMI really surprised myself with the overall results. I feel like a winner. With the injury at my elbow - a partial tear - I was not surprised because I was prepared. So I expected that bad result [in the javelin]. But I will fix that for Bejing.
After my performance of the first day, I knew that a gold medal was in the game. But after the javelin, I was sure that it would come to the 1500 metres to decide about the gold.
I feel so proud of my performance. I am pleased with my pole vault - my coach has a lot to do with that. I came here to Osaka prepared to win a medal and I was expecting Roman to win the gold.
Training in the US gives me an advantage because of the technical events - I appreciate the facilities there, my coach and the college education I get.
Third - Dmitriy KARPOV, KAZ
It was all in my head. I wanted about 200 points more, I know I can make it in future. Mainly my poor long jump. Today it was harder than yesterday. I need to get mentally ready for next big events.
