Gonzalo Barroilhet of Chile in action during the decathlon high jump (© Getty Images)
Clay still leads, World record out of sight - Decathlon after four events
Bryan Clay (USA) is leading the men’s Decathlon competition with 3656 total points after a difficult High Jump which was jumped in rainy conditions. Clay, who had leapt 2.08m in his personal best series earlier this summer, was left with only a 1.99m clearance in the rain. The American is still in a clear lead of 146p and has no-one challenging him for the gold right now. The World record is now not reachable – Clay would have to gain more than 100pts in the remaining events to get there.
Aleksandr Pogorelov (RUS) jumped well, 2.08m, and raised himself to second place with 3510 with Trey Hardee (USA) now third with 3507 after a 2.05m High Jump. This event was extremely hard for some athletes and many lost a lot of points. Andrei Krauchanka (BLR) jumped well 2.11m and is not fourth with 3490.
Oleksiy Kasyanov (UKR) who dropped to fifth place, scored 3484 (1.96m HJ) and Roman Sebrle (CZE) was excellent adding 16cm to his season’s best series with 2.11m High Jump. Cuban Leonel Suárez (CUB), who will rise to fight for the medals lost a lot of points only clearing 2.05m this time. He has a personal best 2.17m earlier this season.
The fight for the medals seems to be between five athletes now – Bryan Clay is still clearly above the others and is going for about 8900 now. Andrey Krauchanka is just 22 points below his 8585 season’s best series and Trey Hardee has 37pts less than his PB series 8534. Behind these both Leonel Suárez and Aleksey Sysoyev (RUS) are aiming to go over 8400. Sysoyev jumped well in the High Jump with 2.11m, but his best events in the Decathlon are still to come.
Mirko Jalava for the IAAF
