U.S. bounced back to the top of the medal tally with five Golds as Russia and Kenya clinched the second and third spots at the end of fifth day at IAAF World Championships.
The fifth day saw United States discovering a middle-distance running hero, Bernard Lagat. The talented sprinter hailing from Kenya earned his U.S. citizenship three years ago. In his first major competition representing the United States, Lagat perfectly executed 1,500-meter race under extraordinary pressure winning it in 3 minutes 34.77 seconds. Lagat’s success seems to solve and endorse America’s long struggle to master the middle distances.
At Nagai Stadium Lagat said:
It was a perfect day, I have waited so long for that medal. I executed my kick extremely well and that was the key to winning. My medal is for the United States and everyone in America.
Perry captured her second straight world title in the 100m hurdles, 14 years after a freak accident forced her to quit soccer and go for track. With timings of 12.46sec, the American held off 2003 champion Perdita Felicien of Canada by .03sec. while Delloreen Ennis-London of Jamaica finished third.
Perry is one of the three athletes still in the running for the $1m Golden League jackpot.
Christine Ohuruogu and Nicola Sanders won Britain’s first gold and silver at Osaka. Ohuruogu clocked 49.61 seconds in the women’s 400m race while Sanders timed 49.65 seconds. Ohuruogu won ahead of fellow Briton Nicola Sanders as the pair posted personal best times to run down long-time leader Novlene Williams of Jamaica in the final few meters. Ohuruogu had recently returned from a year’s suspension after failing doping tests in 2006.
Via: Bloomberg
