Sport - Athletics

Defar, Isinbayeva complete hat-tricks

VALENCIA: Ethiopian long distance specialist Meseret Defar and Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva won their third consecutive world indoor titles on Saturday.

Defar produced a devastating last-lap burst to see off compatriot Meselech Melkamu in the women’s 3,000 metres, while Isinbayeva claimed her third indoor gold with a leap of 4.75 metres in the pole vault.

Meanwhile, China’s Liu Xiang fulfilled predictions by taking the 60m hurdles title to begin his Beijing Olympics build-up in style.

The 24-year-old from Shanghai ran 7.46 seconds to finally add the only major title missing from his collection.

Sweden’s Stefan Holm went one better than Defar to notch his fourth indoor world title in the men’s high jump.

As expected the contest was a duel between Yaroslav Rybakov and Holm. The 31-year-old Swede won with a clearance of 2.36 metres while the Russian only managed 2.34.

Ethiopia’s Deresse Mekonnen had an anxious wait before being adjudged to have won the men’s 1,500 metres.

He crossed the line first in 3 minutes 38.23 but was initially disqualified for stepping off the track. However, the appeals jury later reinstated the Ethiopian as the winner.

The results:

Men: 60m hurdles: 1. Liu Xiang (Chn) 7.46s, 2. Allen Johnson (USA) 7.55, 3. Yevgeniy Borisov (Rus) 7.60; 1500m: 1. Daniel Kipchirchir (Ken) 3:38.54s, 2. Juan Carlos Higuero (Esp) 3:38.82, 3. Arturo Casado (Esp) 3:38.88; High jump: 1. Stefan Holm (Swe) 2.36m, 2. Yaroslav Rybakov (Rus) 2.34, 3. Andra Manson (USA) 2.30; Long jump: 1. Godfrey Khotso Mokoena (RSA) 8.08m, 2. Christopher Tomlinson (GBR) 8.06, 3. Mohd. Salman Al-Khuwalidi (KSA) 8.01.

Women: 60m hurdles: 1. LoLo Jones (USA) 7.80s, 2. Candice Davis (USA) 7.93, 3. Anay Tejeda (Cub) 7.98; 3000m: 1. Meseret Defar (Eth) 8:38.79s, 2. Meselech Melkamu (Eth) 8:41.50, 3. Mariem Alaoui Selsouli (Mar) 8:41.66; Pole vault: 1. Yelena Isinbayeva (Rus) 4.75m (on countback), 2. Jennifer Stuczynski (USA) 4.75, 3. Fabiana Murer (Bra) 4.70; Triple jump: 1. Yargelis Savigne (Cub) 15.05m, 2. Hrysopiym Devetzm (Gre) 15.00, 3. Marija Martinovic-Sestak (Slo) 14.68. — Agencies

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