 Usain Bolt shows his disappointment after being disqualified for a false start in the men’s 100-meter final at the World Athletics Championships in Daegu, Sunday. Jamaica’s Yohan Blake won the gold in a time of 9.92 seconds. / Yonhap |
Jamaica’s Blake wins in 100m final
By Yoon Chul
DAEGU – To the dismay of all watching, Usain Bolt of Jamaica was disqualified for a false start in the men’s 100 meters final at Daegu Stadium, Sunday.
With the world’s fastest sprinter immediately disqualified, compatriot Yohan Blake of Jamaica won the gold in a time of 9.92 seconds.
"I can't find words to explain it. Usain Bolt has been there for me. I feel like I want to cry," said Blake, Bolt's training partner under coach Glen Mills.
Walter Dix of the United States took silver in 10.08 and Kim Collins of Saint Kitts and Nevis was just .01 seconds behind Dix in third.
Bolt looked his usual relaxed self before the start, but he quickly lifted up his shirt as if to cover his face after the false start.
``Looking for tears?'' Bolt asked. ``Not going to happen. I'm OK.''
However volunteers said that when Bolt returned to call room two, one of the athletes’ waiting areas, he slammed the door after entering and was heard hitting the wall.
Reigning world indoor and outdoor champion Brittney Reese became the first U.S. athlete to win gold at these championships in the women’s long jump with a leap of 6.82 meters. Olga Kucherenko of Russia jumped 6.77 meters for silver and Ineta Radevica of Latvia took bronze with a season best 6.76.
In the women’s discus, Li Yan-feng of China became the first Asian medalist with a gold. She threw 66.52 meters.
Another surprise came in the men’s 10,000 meters when defending world champion Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia pulled out of the race with 10 laps to go. Compatriot Ibrahim Jeilan took the lead with only 100 meters left to win gold in 27:13.81. Mohamed Farah of Great Britain grabbed the silver, crossing the line just .26 second behind the winner.
Another Ethiopian Imane Merga snatched the bronze.
The two-day competition to decide the men’s decathlon, also concluded Sunday with Trey Hardee and Ashton Eaton of the U.S. taking gold and silver respectively.
On Saturday, Kenya’s female distance runners made a perfect start at the world athletics championships, claiming all six medals on offer in the marathon and women’s 10,000.
The Kenyans’ dominance was checked when Valeriy Borchin of Russia won the men’s 20-kilometer race walk Sunday. Borchin secured the gold medal with a time of 1:19.56.
Kim Hyun-sub was highly anticipated to win a medal for Korea but could only manage sixth in 1:21:17.
The 13th IAAF World Championships in Athletics officially began Saturday with the women’s marathon in the southeastern city.
Edna Kiplagat of Kenya and her fellow countrywomen were unbeatable in hot and humid weather to capture the gold, silver and bronze medals in the women’s marathon. Kiplagat crossed the finish line with a time of two hours 28 minutes 43 seconds, becoming the first gold medalist of the Daegu worlds. Priscah Jeptoo snatched silver clocking in at 2:29:00 and Sharon Cherop earned bronze with a season’s best of 2:29:21.
Kiplagat even fell at the second last water station but she put in a gold medal performance.
The Kenyans again proved their dominance in long distance events in the women’s 10,000 meters. Vivian Cheruiyot set a personal best of 30:48.98 to top the podium, followed by Sally Kipyego and Linet Masai.
Once the games began, the world’s top athletics event produced surprising outcomes. Steve Hooker, the defending champion in the men’s pole vault, failed to advance to the next round.
The long-awaited world athletics festival finally began at the 66,422-seater venue with a festive performance and firework display and President Lee Myung-bak at Daegu Stadium, along with Lamine Diack, president of the International Association of Athletics Federation, and Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee.
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