Report15 Jul 2007


USA clean up on World Youths final day - Evening Report

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Team USA celebrate in Ostrava (© Getty Images)

Ostrava, Czech RepublicUnited States’ William Wynne was the star of the final afternoon as the 5th IAAF World Youth Championships came to an exciting end at Ostrava’s city stadium on Sunday.

On a hot and sunny final afternoon where the temperature was steady in the middle 30s, Wynne, along with pole vaulter Nico Weiler of Germany and Russian long jumper Darya Klishina, who both set new Championship records, were impressive.

World Youth best for Wynne

Starting the Championships with a personal best – 53.58 seconds, then improved to 53.41 in the heats and 50.28 in the semi-finals, Wynne, who won silver in the 110m Hurdles (13.44) was head and shoulders above the field in the final.

Running out of lane three, Wynne had things his way from as early as the backstretch and by time he straightened, he was just racing against the clock.

And in the end, he stopped the clock at 49.01, a World Youth best, almost 7 metres ahead of second place finisher and teammate Reginald Wyatt, who did a personal best 50.33 seconds.

Wynne was surprised by the fast time. “I didn't expect to have such a great time,” he said while admitting the hot temperature helped him a lot “I like this kind of weather, I am used to training in the heat as I come from Atlanta,” he added.

Now Wynne, who returned to win a third medal, gold on USA’s medley team, has already targets another record. “My next target is to break the new US High School record”

Cuban Amaurys Valle was third in 50.37, along with fourth place finisher, Bahamian Nathan Arnett (50.89), the top four did personal best times.

In the Long Jump, Klishina leapt 6.47 metres on her final attempt, this after opening the six-round round with 6.33m, to beat Ivana Spanovic of Serbia (6.41m SB) and Mariya Shumilova of Russia (6.29m).

Weiler’s record came in the boys’ Pole Vault, this after clearing 5.26 metres to beat Japanese Shota Doi and Manuel Concepcion of Spain, both clearing 4.85m.

Brazil and Jamaica take 200m titles

In the half lap events, Jamaica’s Ramone McKenzie and Barbara Leoncio of Brazil came out on top.

McKenzie won the boys’ event in 20.67, the joint second fastest time in the world this year, to beat Eamil Guliyev of Azerbaijan (20.72) and 100m silver medallist Nickel Ashmeade (20.72 - PB).

“It's a great feeling,” said McKenzie after his victory, while disclosing that fellow Jamaican and World 100m record holder Asafa Powell was his motivation.

“My big motivation today was to walk in the footsteps of Asafa Powell,” he continued.

In the girls’ event, Leoncio, in a personal best performance, won in 23.50 seconds.

“I cannot believe it, maybe I will realize later,” said a over-excited Leoncio, who covered up her face with both hands after crossing the finish line.

“It's great to be a World champion. I should say that my coach is maybe happier than I am, he was so nervous. I was a little bit tired after the semi final but I knew that I had to do my best afterwards. My friends and compatriots helped me a lot,” continued the world youth champion, who surprised everybody with a very fast corner run.

American Chalonda Goodman (23.54) and Nivea Smith of Bahamas (23.69) were second and third respectively while Brazilian 100m silver medallist, Rosangela Santos, in a late rush, finished fourth in 23.75 seconds.

Lavric supreme in 800m final

Romania’s Elena Mirela Lavric won the girls’ 800m title in 2:04.29 ahead of Alison Leonard of Great Britain (2:05.36) and Juana Ivis of Cuba (2:05.42).

Lavric, who trailed American Chanelle Price for the first 600m before taking charge in the home stretch, said: “I am happy now.”

“The first lap (58.60) went very fast. Only in the last 50m I realised I could win the race. Before the championships I was confident. I knew I could win a medal,” she said.

Kenya finished one-two with Fredrick Musyoki Ndunge, who did a personal best (3:44.27) and Josphat Mitunga Kithii (3:44.68) in the boys’ 1500m. Dawit Wolde finished third in 3:45.04, also in a personal best.

The 100m Hurdles went to American Julian Purvis, who surprised Jamaican Shermaine Williams. Purvis won in a personal best 13.41 seconds ahead of Williams (13.48).

Williams had earlier ran 13.37 and 13.46 in the first and second rounds.

Tazmin Brits of South Africa (51.71m) won the girls’ javelin ahead of Finland’s pair of Carita Hinkka (51.61m) and Sini Kiiski (50.75).

US unbeatable in Medley Relay

In the closing events of the five-day Championships, America captured both medley relays.
 
The quartet of Isaiah Sweeney, Kenneth Gilstrap, William Wynne, and Danzel Fortson captured the boys’ event in a World Youth leading time of 1:51.34 ahead of Japan (1:51.42) and Jamaica (1:52.18).

In the Girls event, Chalonda Goodman, Ashton Purvis, Ryann Krais, and Erica Alexander took USA crossed the finish line in 2:05.74 ahead of Jamaica (2:06.77).

Anthony Foster for the IAAF

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