Bolt stalks Gatlin in 200m
Rowers shine
The Cobra-PAL Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) team brought honor to the country once again by winning four gold medals in the recent 12th International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) World Championships held in Welland, Ontario.
The Filipinos overpowered their rivals from Macau, Hungary, Italy, and Puerto Rico to top the 500M premier mixed title in 4:26.942 and the senior A mixed crown 4:53.905.
The rowers also emerged victorious in the 200M and 500M mixed divisions for the Small Boat category.
The victory, however, was bittersweet as some members failed to join after their visas were denied.
BEIJING (AFP) — Usain Bolt and fierce rival Justin Gatlin eased into the 200 meter semifinals as middle distance greats David Rudisha and Genzebe Dibaba blazed to gold at the world championships on Tuesday.
Bolt, the biggest name in athletics, returned to the Beijing track two days after pipping Gatlin to retain his world 100m title, and won his 200m heat in an easy 20.28 seconds. Gatlin topped his heat in 20.19.
Sweat dripping from his beard on a humid evening, Bolt then icily shrugged off the threat of two-time doping offender Gatlin in his favorite event.
“It actually means more to me than the 100m,” said the world record holder, who recovered from pelvic trouble just in time to deliver positive headlines after allegations of widespread doping engulfed the sport.
“I’m feeling tired and my legs are sore – just from the fact it was an up and down season. Hopefully I can get my technique right and give it my best in the final,” added Bolt, who returns to the Bird’s Nest for Wednesday’s semis with the final scheduled for Thursday.
Joining the heavyweights in the semifinals was 16-year-old Japanese schoolboy Abdul Hakim Sani Brown, who clocked 20.35 behind Gatlin.
“It’s just a dream to be here,” said Sani Brown, who was ordered by his Japanese mother to choose track over football when he was in elementary school. “I don’t know if I can reach the finals but I think I can go faster,” added the youngster, whose father is Ghanaian. “I’ll give it everything.”
Long jumper Greg Rutherford won a third gold medal for Britain on day four of the competition, launching himself to a season’s best of 8.41 metres to add a world title to his Olympic, European and Commonwealth crowns.