Aleksandr Pogorelov of Russia (© Getty Images)
The first portion of the Russian national indoor championships already transpired last weekend in St. Petersburg, where two new world leaders emerged.
In an extremely close men’s Heptathlon competition, the titles weren’t decided until the final event. Indeed, the margin between winner Aleksandr Pogorelov and bronze medallist Aleksei Sysoev, was just 17 points.
Heading into the 1000m, Sysoev and Mikhail Logvinekno knew that the final event was not Pogorelov's strongest. But beating him by 12 and seven seconds respectively, was not enough. Pogorelov held on to take the title with 6136 points - his fourth since 2002 - with Logvinenko tallying 6129, and Sysoev 6119.
Conversely, in the women’s Heptathlon, Anna Bogdanova was in control throughout en route to her dominating victory with 4762 points. Olga Kurban was a distant second with 4617, and Marina Goncharova third (4552). On the comeback trail, former World champion and Olympic medallist Yelena Prokhorova returned from a long absence and tallied 4458, finishing fifth.
Nickolai Dolgopolov and Rostislav Orlov for the IAAF
Results from Russian National Indoor Multi-Events Championships, St. Petersburg (2-3-February) –
MEN –
Heptathlon:
1. Aleksandr Pogorelov 6136 points
(7.09 — 7.80 — 15.34 — 2.09 — 8.08 — 4.90 — 2:52.95)
2. Mikhail Logvinenko 6129 points
(7.13 — 7.59 — 14.47 — 2.00 — 7.94 — 5.00 — 2:40.50)
3. Aleksei Sysoev 6119 pints
(7.91 — 7.14 — 16.53 — 2.12 — 8.34 — 4.90 — 2:45.64)
WOMEN –
Pentathlon:
1. Anna Bogdanova 4762 points
(8.32 — 1.83 — 13.92 — 6.51 — 2:15.22)
2. Olga Kurban 4617 points
(8.41 — 1.83 — 13.42 -6.43 — 2:19.37)
3. Marina Goncharova 4552
(8.56 — 1.74 — 13.35 — 6.38 — 2:14.85)
