DAY FOUR AT the World Athletics Championships was always going to struggle to match yesterday’s drama, but that doesn’t mean that we were short of things to talk about.
Here are the day’s big winners and losers, starting with one of our own — Corkman Ciaran O’Lionaird.
Irish Eye
Ciaran O’Lionaird (1500m): O’Lionaird booked his place in Thursday’s 1500m semi-finals with an excellent tactical run. The Leevale man found himself in ninth place entering the straight before he delivered one final burst of pace to power into sixth and an automatic qualification spot.
Good day for…
Kirani James (400m): The 18-year-old Grenadian’s win in the 400m was undoubtedly today’s highlight. Up against the reigning World and Olympic champion Lashawn Merritt, James — who only made his professional debut earlier this month — got up on the line to take the gold by 0.03 seconds.
David Rudisha (800m): One of the most talked-about athletes at this year’s championship, the Kenyan world record holder lived up to his billing with an assured performance in the men’s 800m, winning in 1:43.91.That’s 32 straight wins for the 22-year-old now.
Robert Harting (Discus): The German successfully retained the gold which he won on home turf two years ago, finishing comfortably ahead of the field with a best throw of 68.97, over two metres longer than Gerd Kanting in second place.
Bad day for…
Jess Ennis (Heptathlon): Britain’s World champion Jess Ennis had to settle for silver this afternoon, despite running a personal best in the final event, the 800m. The 25-year-old lost ground to Tatyana Chernova in the javelin this morning, and eventually finished 129 points behind the Russian.
Yelena Isinbayeva (Pole vault): The two-time World champion and Olympic gold medallist continued her disappointing run of form in this afternoon’s pole vault final, crashing out at 4.65m and finishing down the field in sixth place. The gold was won by World Indoor champion Fabiana Murer of Brazil, the only athlete to clear 4.85m.
