Lasitskene clinches a record third world title
ATHLETICS WORLDS The 26-year-old edged teenager Mahuchikh to win gold in the women’s high jump
DOHA: Maria Lasitskene became the first woman to win a third world high jump title, gracefully clearing 2.04 metres on Monday to bring Russia’s neutral athletes a second gold in two days.
Dominating the competition from the start, the 26-year-old continued to raise the bar after having secured gold in an attempt to achieve a personal best of 2.08m. Although Lasitskene missed out on that mark with three failed attempts, she again demonstrated her absolute dominance of her discipline by clearing 2.04m at her first attempt.
Like the other Russians competing in Doha, Lasitskene was barred from celebrating her victory with a Russian flag and will not hear her country’s anthem when she steps onto the podium.
Without her flag, Lasitskene ran down the track, waving and blowing kisses to the crowd, while Ukrainian silver medallist Yaroslava Mahuchikh and American bronze winner Vashti Cunningham brandished their countries’ flags.
“It’s a shame,” said Lasitskene, who has openly criticised Russia’s suspended athletics federation. “It’s unpleasant. You want to run with your flag.”
After failing on her first two attempts at 2.04, Mahuchikh, 18, responded to the occasion and successfully executed her third and final attempt, assuring herself of a silver medal. Cunningham took the bronze with 2.00m.
CHEPKOECH WINS
Kenyan Beatrice Chepkoech was so new to the steeplechase two years ago that she missed a water jump and had to make a U-turn, costing her a medal at the world championships. Since then, she has gained experience, broke the world-record, and Monday, won the world title in dominating fashion.
Chepkoech blazed out to a big lead and only got stronger from there as she finished in 8 minutes, 57.84 seconds, 4 1/2 seconds ahead of runner-up Emma Coburn of the U.S. “I decided to be in front,” Chepkoech said.
Coburn had a feeling Chepkoech would jump to a big lead. Coburn, the world champion in 2017, knows that Chepkoech likes to make others hurt by pushing the pace. She stayed patient, hoping her rival would lose steam. Chepkoech didn’t. “I was letting her do her thing,” said Coburn, who finished in a personal-best time of 9:02.35.
NAKAAYI BAGS GOLD
Ugandan Halimah Nakaayi pulled off an upset to win the women’s 800 metres title on Monday while favourite Ajee Wilson was left with another bronze as she ran out of steam with 100 metres left. Wilson led for most of the race but was overtaken by Nakaayi down the final straight as the Ugandan won in a national record of one minute 58.04 seconds. Raevyn Rogers, another American, also sped past to take silver, leaving Wilson with the bronze she also won in London two years ago.
South Africa’s Caster Semenya, the titleholder and threetime champion, did not take part due to recently-introduced testosterone regulations.
SABLE IMPROVES NATL MARK IN STEEPLECHASE
NEWDELHI: India’s Avinash Sable improved his 3000m steeplechase record to 8:25.34 seconds but missed the 2020 Tokyo Olympic qualification mark of 8:22.00 secs during the third and final qualification round of the event at the World Championships in Doha on Tuesday. His previous best was 8:28.94 secs clocked in March in Patiala.
The 24 year-old Army runner had targeted a timing below 8:22 in Doha, but two accidental falls in the first lap cost him valuable seconds and also denied him a chance to make it to the final.
Ethiopia’s Takele Nigate tripped and fell in the first 30m of the race. Sable was right behind Nigate’s group and took a fall himself. The Ethiopian then slipped again at the first water jump. It obstructed Sable again as he lost vital seconds but managed to finish 20th overall.
The top three in each heat and the next six fastest advance to the medal round. Zak Seddon of Great Britain, who clocked 8:22.51 secs was the 15th and last runner to reach the final. (HTC)