Sport

Kirdyapkin brooks no challenge

HELSINKI: Sergey Kirdyapkin of Russia led virtually from start to finish to win the men's 50km walk title here at the athletics World Championships on Friday.

The 25-year-old timed a personal best of 3h38m8s to beat compatriot Aleksey Voyevodin (3:41.25) while Italy's Alex Schwazer took bronze in a National record of 3:41.54.

Kirdyapkin led Voyevodin and China's Shucai Xing by a second after 5km., while another Chinese walker Cheng Tiang Zhao was fourth a second adrift in a group also featuring the third of the Chinese team Yucheng Han.

By the 10km mark the Russians had moved into all the podium positions as Kirdyapkin led Voyevodin by two seconds and Vladimir Kanaykin by four while the Chinese were in fourth, fifth and eighth places Zhao having moved ahead of Xing.

While Zhao conceded more time to Kirdyapkin by the 15km mark, he trailed by 43s, he had moved into the bronze medal spot as he had a second advantage over Kanaykin while Kirdyapin had extended his lead over Voyevodin, the Olympic bronze medallist, to 14s.

Disqualified

Kanaykin, though, was to be removed from the scene as the 20-year-old former world junior champion incurred his third warning and was disqualified just after the 20km mark while Kirdyapkin was joined at the front by Voyevodin as they hit the 20km marker.

Another medal danger was erased when Latvian Aigars Fadejevs was called for his third foul just after the 25km mark and the 29-year-old Olympic silver medallist was left holding his head in his hands and looking bewildered.

While Kirdyapkin continued to lead Voyevodin at the halfway mark Zhao had narrowed the deficit to the Russian duo to 21s, while his two teammates Han and Xing occupied the fourth and fifth spots.

Kirdyapkin, though, put on a burst in the next 5km and opened up a 14s lead on his compatriot while Zhao lost ground and trailed by 45s at 30km.

Xing held firm over two minutes behind in fourth while Han fell away and was in 10th spot nearly four minutes adrift of the leader.

Five kilometres later and Kirdyapkin could only lose it by himself as he had opened up a lead of over a minute over Voyevodin while Zhao was 23s adrift of the silver medal position.

Xing had completely caved in and faded to 12th over seven minutes behind the leader. With 10km to go Kirdyapkin was going further away from his challengers as he opened up nearly a two minute lead on his compatriot while Zhao was still in bronze medal position but three minutes in arrears. However, both his teammates had now fallen by the wayside.

As Kirdyapkin prepared for his reception in the stadium one of his predecessors as champion Jesus Garcia departed, the 35-year-old 1993 world champion and two-time silver medallist being disqualified while in sixth position.

Zhao, though, suffered almost as dramatic a collapse as his two teammates had done earlier as he slipped from the medals to fifth place with just 5km remaining as he was passed by Schwazer and Trond Nymark of Norway.

Kirdyapkin carried on his sublime progress to lead by almost three minutes from Voyedovin and the Italian, who was over 4min in arrears, the order was to remain the same to the finish while Zhao was to finish fifth nearly six minutes behind the winner.

Perry wins

Earlier on Thursday, Michelle Perry of the United States won the women's 100 metres hurdles title.

The 26-year-old timed 12.66 seconds to see off Jamaican duo, silver medallist Delloreen Ennis-London (12.76s) and Brigitte Foster-Hylton (12.76s), who took silver in 2003.

``I didn't know where the others were but I could feel them. I know how strong I am at the end,'' said the new champion.

``I felt when I woke up this morning that I was going to win.'' Olympic champion Joanna Hayes of the United States finished last after clipping the penultimate barrier and crashed to the track in tears.

Dietzsch triumphs

Franka Dietzsch of Germany won the gold medal in the women's discus with a throw of 66.56 metres.

Natalya Sadova of Russia was second with a toss of 64.33, followed by Vera Pospisilova-Cechlova of the Czech Republic with 63.19.

Rens Blom of the Netherlands won the gold medal in the men's pole vault by clearing 5.80 metres.

Brad Walker of the United States was second with a vault of 5.75, followed by Pavel Gerasimov of Russia with 5.65.

Felix in final

American Allyson Felix upped the ante in her rivalry with Olympic champion Veronica Campbell as both eased into the women's 200m final.

The results (finals):

Men: 50-km walk: 1. Sergey Kirdyapkin (RUS) 3h38:08, 2. Aleksey Voyevodin (RUS) 3:41:25, 3. Alex Schwazer (ITA) 3:41:54. Pole Vault: 1. Rens Blom (Ned) 5.80m; 2. Brad Walker (U.S.) 5.75; 3. Pavel Guerassimov (Rus) 5.65.

Women: 100m hurdles: 1. Michelle Perry (U.S.) 12.66s; 2. Delloreen Ennis-London (Jam) 12.76; 3. Brigitte Foster-Hylton (Jam) 12.76. Discus: 1. Franka Dietzsch (Ger) 66.56m; 2. Natalya Sadova (Rus) 64.33; 3. Vera Pospisilova-Cechlova (Cze) 63.19. — Agencies

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu