Ronald Pognon (FRA) runs smoothly in his 60m heat (© Getty Images)
The second day of the French Indoor Championships offered the first titles, and were highlighted by a close fight between Yemmouni and Maazouzi in the men’s 1500m, and Marie Collonvillé’s 4549 points win in the women’s Pentathlon.
Same time but Yemmouni gets verdict
The suspense surrounding the men’s 1500m lasted well after the end of the race. The race opened at a very slow pace, and the real racing really didn’t start until two laps to go. Favourites Mounir Yemmouni and 37-years-old Driss Maazouzi led coming off the last bend, with outsider Guillaume Eraud still challenging. The first two across the line were given the same time, 3:46.26, but victory was eventually awarded to Yemmouni. Eraud took the bronze 0.08sec behind.
By contrast, Bouchra Ghezielle was an unchallenged winner in the women’s 3000m, as she ended her solo run in 8:59.81.
As expected, Karl Taillepierre confirmed his leadership in the men’s Triple Jump, but the victory wasn’t as easy as it seemed: “I came here to make the World Championship standard, but with the heel pain I have had since the Karlsruhe meet, I had to give my all on the first attempt.” He did just that, with a 16.90m effort. “Moscow will be a one-day competition when everything can happen, and by then my heel pain may have decreased.”
Marie Collonvillé was another clear winner in the Pentathlon. A 8.49 second run in the 60m Hurdles, 1.82m in the High Jump (would have given her the individual national title as Anne Jardin won today with 1.81m), 12.34m in the Shot Put, 6.39m for the Long Jump (would have been the best mark in the qualification of the individual competition today) and 2:16.58 in the 800m, took her to a total of 4549 points, her second best ever. The performance was close to her 4644p which gave her the bronze medal at the 2003 World Indoors.
Close hurdles, as ever
The women’s 60m Hurdles was, as usual in France, the closest competition as no less than five athletes were realistic gold medal pretenders. Nicole Ramalalanirina, an Olympic finalist in 2000, regained her 2004 title and her 8.03 in final might be the sign that her injury problems are over: “I had doubts in the semi-finals because of signs of cramp in my lead leg, so the victory was more important than a sub-8 run. At 34-years-old, a national title has not the same meaning, I’m running against youngsters!”
Adrianna Lamalle (8.05 in semi finals) took silver with 8.07, followed by 2005 champion Reina-Flor Okori 8.11 (8.10 in semis), 38-years old Patricia Girard 8.19 (8.16 semi), and Joanna Bujak 8.22 (8.17 semi).
Pognon delays Moscow decision
Ronald Pognon successfully defended his 60m title, but his time (6.68 in final and semis, 6.70 in heats) will further delay his decision of whether he feels his form is enough to successfully take part in the World Indoor Championships in Moscow (10-12 March). However the 4x100m World champion said: “My motivation and will to run are growing, I had a lot of fun here. I did mistakes in my first steps so I know I can run sub 6.60.”
Oudere Kankarafou took second place with 6.70.
Mesnil motivated
Pole Vaulter Romain Mesnil, also overcame motivation problems with 5.75m two weeks ago. Today, 5.65m was enough to win, as Jerome Clavier and Vincent Favretto failed to pass 5.55m.
Poland's Sylwia Korzeniowska, sister of legend Robert Korzeniowski, set the second best performance of the season in the 3000m Race Walk with 12:42.55.
Tomorrow, Sunday (26) will be the last day of the French Nationals, and will star Christine Arron (women’s 60m) and Salim Sdiri (men’s Long Jump).
P-J Vazel for the IAAF
