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Richards wins as Golden League gets underway

Posted June 15th, 2007 at 6:00 PM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

2006 IAAF World Athlete of the Year Sanya Richards is off to a good start in the IAAF Golden League 2007, winning the women’s 400 meters at the ExxonMobil Bislett Games Friday in Oslo, Norway.

In only her second meet of the season, Richards ran 50.29 to steal the show in the women’s 400m. Amy Mbacke Thiam was runner-up, nearly a second behind Richards, in 51.22. Richards must win the five remaining Golden League meets and compete in the World Athletics Final in order to win at least a share of the $1,000,000 jackpot.

2004 Olympic gold medalist Meseret Defar of Ethiopia smashed her own world record by almost 8 seconds in the women’s 5,000 meters, cruising to the finish line in an astounding 14:16.63. Her previous record was 14:24.53.

Reigning World champion Michelle Perry led the women’s 100m hurdles from start to finish, winning in 12.70. 2002 NCAA DII champion Anwar Moore won the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.26. Hot on his heels was David Payne who took second in 13.27. 2005 U.S. Indoor champion Joel Brown was fourth in 13.51.

In the men’s triple jump, 2007 U.S. Indoor champion Aarik Wilson set a new personal record of 17.26m/56 feet 7.5 inches to take third. Reigning World Indoor and Outdoor champion Walter Davis was sixth with a mark of 17.00m/55-9.25.

Other notable performances in Oslo include former LSU standout Stephanie Durst, who edged out Sheri Ann-Brooks of Jamaica in the women’s 100m, crossing the finish line in 11.22 to Brooks’ 11.23. Seven-time U.S. champion Breaux Greer was second in the men’s javelin with a throw of 88.73m/291-1. It is the third farthest throw so far this year.

For more information and complete results from the 2007 ExxonMobil Bislett Games, visit www.iaaf.org.

Written by: Vicki Oddi
Via: USA Track & Field