Men heptathlon event two
Sebrle sails into heptathlon lead
Performing very well in one of his strongest disciplines, Roman Sebrle sailed into the top position in the heptathlon after the second event of the day, the long jump. The Czech Republic standout actually had the two best marks of the competition, 7.88 and 7.87. The longer of the two was worth 1030 points on the IAAF scoring tables, and when combined with the 882 he had earned in the 60, he sits at 1912 after two events. The yearly list leader at 6267 points, Sebrle is now 24 points ahead of the pace he set after two events in that competition.
Jon Arnur Magnusson of Iceland and Erki Nool of Estonia had the two next-best jumps, 7.74 and 7.60, and they stand 2nd and 3rd respectively with two-event totals of 1853 and 1839. Sebrle thus has a 73-point lead over his closest pursuer as the athletes take a one-hour break before the third event of the day, the shot put. First-event leader Chris Huffins of the United States, at his best an 8-metre jumper, could produce only a feeble 7.29 and fell to 5th overall at 1798.
After the shot put competition the heptathletes will contest the high jump this afternoon, then wrap up tomorrow with the 60-metre hurdles, pole vault and 800 metres.
Today’s non-heptathlon action will begin at 15:15 local time with the semi-finals of the men’s 800 metres.
