News01 May 2011


Strong fields across the programme taking shape for Daegu - IAAF World Challenge

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David Oliver dips to 12.93 sec in Zurich - Samsung Diamond League (© Getty Images)

Strong fields across the board, including a cast of Olympic and World champions and medallists, are being assembled for the Colorful Daegu Meeting - IAAF World Challenge - on 12 May, the final test event for the IAAF World Championships, Daegu, Korea, 27 August - 4 September.

Jeter to chase her own meet record

In the women's 100m, world leader Carmelita Jeter of the USA, the second fastest woman in history and the winner of the inaugural Samsung Diamond Race Trophy in the event, will be chasing her own meeting record of 10.83 set in 2009. She'll be taking on compatriots Lashaunte Moore and Marshevet Myers, the winners in the Rome and London legs, respectively, of the 2010 Samsung Diamond League series.

In the men's 100m field, Olympic bronze medallist Walter Dix will be taking centre stage while in the women's 200m, three-time World champion Allyson Felix will head the field in her favourite event where she'll meet Russia's Contintental Cup champion Aleksandra Fedoriva.

Oliver taking centre stage

Among the most anticipated races will the men's 110m Hurdles, where US record holder David Oliver will put his win streak, which currently at 17, on the line. He'll take on compatriot David Payne, the reigning Olympic silver medallist and two-time World bronze medallist, along with Jamaican record holder Dwight Thomas.

The women's sprint hurdles promises a fierce battle, with 2008 Olympic champion Dawn Harper taking on fellow American Kellie Wells whose indoor season momentum continues outdoors this spring.

Over the full lap barriers, it'll be Bershawn Jackson, the 2005 World champion and reigning Olympic bronze medallist, and twice Olympic champion Angelo Taylor taking the spotlight.

Kamel vs Lalang at 800m

The middle distances will not be lacking star power. In the men's 800m, Bahrain's Yusuf Saad Kamel, the world 1500m champion and bronze medallist over two laps from Berlin 2009, will take on Kenyan ace Boaz Lalang. In the women's 1500m, the young Ethiopian talents - World indoor champion Kalkidan Gezahegne and Tizita Bogale, the World junior champion - will tangle for early season domestic bragging rights.

Women's IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge to kick off

The Daegu meeting will also signal the start of the women's portion of the IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge. Among the favourites will be Russia's former World record holder Tatyana Lysenko and Zhang Wenxiu of Chania, the Asian Games champion and World bronze medallist in 2009.

The women's Pole Vault will feature European indoor and outdoor silver medallist Silke Spiegelburg of Germany and Russian standout Yuliya Golubchikova.

In the men's Triple Jump, the focus will be on Alexis Copello of Cuba, the 2009 World bronze medallist, and Bahamian Leevan Sands, the Beijing Olympic bronze medallist.

Latvia's Ainars Kovals, the reigning Olympic silver medallist, and Yukifumi Murakami of Japan, the 2009 surprise World bronze medallist, will headline the field in the men's Javelin Throw.

Bob Ramsak for the IAAF

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