In a battle of the year’s premiere twolap titans, it was Cuba’s World champion Zulia Calatayud who produced the strongest home stretch force to succeed four-time champion Maria Mutola as World Cup Champion.
Holding off Kenya’s African champion Janeth Jepkosgei, the 26-year-old became the first winner for the Americas since her compatriot Ana Fidelia Quirot won in Barcelona in 1989. The World Athletics Final winner crossed the line in 2:00.06, a mere 3/100s of a second ahead of Jepkosgei.
“This is another important win for my career,” said Calatayud, who will end her season this weekend. “I am not satisfied with the time but what is important in the victory.”
European champion Olga Kotlyarova, who also produced wins in the Athens Super Grand Prix here in June and at Zurich’s Wetklasse, couldn’t reproduce the kick with which she took Gothenburg gold, and finished third in 2:00.84. Rebecca Lyne, the first Briton to ever contest the event at the World Cup, was fourth in 2:00.97.
Bob Ramsak
