Athletics News

Tsikhon gets a late hat-trick - Volkova dominates

By John Bagratuni Aug 27, 2007, 15:35 GMT

Osaka, Japan - Ivan Tsikhan of Belarus threw a bomb in his final attempt to complete a hammer throw world title hat-trick while Japan's biggest medal hope Koji Murofushi came up empty-handed.

Lying outside the medals in fourth place, Tsikhan heaved a massive 83.63 metres when it mattered.

Slovenia's Primoz Kozmus, who had led from the first round onwards, had to settle for silver with 82.29m and Libor Charfreitag of Slovakia took bronze with 81.60m.

The 2004 Olympic champion Murofushi had to settle for sixth with a season-best 80.46m, another blow for the hosts who saw their marathon stars outside the medals and two-time silver medallist Dai Tamesue crashing out in the 400m hurdles heats.

Eariler, Yekaterina Volkova made the most of the injury-related absence of title holder Docus Inzikuru, who beat her for the 2005 gold, to claim the women's 3,000 metres steeplechase title.

Volkova ran away from her rivals early this time around and was able to celebrate victory by raising her arm before the home stretch, winning in 9 minutes 6:57 seconds from fellow-Russian Tatyana Petrova (9:09.19) and Kenya's Eunice Jepkorir (9:20.09).

'I knew 600m from the finish that I would get it,' said the beaming Volkova.

Pre-race favourite Gulnara Samitova-Galkina of Russia, the world record holder, faded early and finished seventh in 9:30.24 minutes.

Earlier, Veronica Campbell of Jamaica laid claim on the 100 metres world title on Monday when she dominated the semi-finals with 10.99 seconds.

But even though the Olympic 200m champion Campbell got the first sub-11 time of the meet, she will face stiff opposition in what promises an intriguing final later Monday, given the semi-final times.

The 2003 champion Torri Edwards also looked strong in the other semi with 11.02 seconds, former European champion Christine Arron of France had 11.04 seconds, the current European champion Kim Gevaert of Belgium 11.06, Carmelita Jeter of the US 11.08 and defending world champion Lauryn Williams, also of the US, 11.09.

Kerron Steward of Jamaica and Nigeria's Oludamola Osayomi complete the lineup for the final.

The 100m final was later to round off Tuesday's action. The other medal events were the men's hammer throw, triple jump and 10,000m.

The 1,500m semis saw some rough running, but Kenya-born Bernard Lagat gave the US hope of a first world title by winning his semi. Compatriot world leader Alan Webb barely made the final while defending champion Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain led all qualifiers with 3:40.53 minutes.