Sebrle finally has a good javelin memory in world title

By Andrew James Sep 1, 2007, 17:11 GMT

Osaka, Japan - Roman Sebrle threw the javelin further than he ever had before on Saturday to claim a first decathlon world title, eight months after almost being killed by one of the spears.

The Czech world record holder and 2004 Olympic champion was training in South Africa in January when he was hit in the freak incident on January 20 by a javelin thrown by South Africa's Sunette Viljoen.

'If the javelin had hit me 10cm to the left it would have punctured my lung, 20cm higher the throat,' he said at the time.

The javelin punctured his shoulder, a 12cm wound which required 11 stitches but almost miraculously didn't damage muscles.

On Saturday, the 32-year-old had a personal best 71.18m in this ninth discipline of the gruelling decathlon to move ahead of long-time leader Maurice Smith of Jamaica and hold on to victory by a mere 32 points, the closest victory margin ever and world championships and Olympics.

'This is the toughest of all my titles and very emotional,' Sebrle said. 'I was more than worried. After the pole vault I thought I am out and get another silver,' said Sebrle.

'I have been injured three times before the world championships. Now was perfect preparation, but I wasn't in the shape I expected. But this competition was unbelievable and I am really happy I made it.'

The world title completes the title collection of Sebrle who has three European golds 1998, 2002 and 2006 and the Olympic gold from 2004. He also has Olympic silver from 2000 plus worlds silvers from 2003 and 2005.

However, he is best known as the first decathlete over 9,000 points with the 2001 world record 9,026 points.

On Friday and Saturday, a points tally of 8,676 was far away from that record, while the impressive Smith raised his personal best by 295 points to 8,644.

It was the first ever medal for Jamaica in the infield of a track meet as all six previous golds came from sprinters, relays, and long jumper James Beckford.

'He did a really good job,' said Sebrle in praise of Smith, who at age 26 appears to be the man of the future.

Smith said: 'I really surprised myself. I feel like a winner. After the first day I knew that a gold medal was in the game. But after the pole vault I didn't think I had it won.'

Sebrle and Smith's task was made slightly easier when the last two world champions, Americans Tom Pappas and Bryan Clay, had to retire injured during the Osaka competition.

The decathlon also saw Alberto Juantorena of Cuba finish 18th with 7,657 points in his first big event.

The 30-year-old is the son of Alberto Juantorena, who won an unprecedented 400 metres and 800m double at the 1976 Olympics.