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Lead Stories: Monday, December 1, 2008

Richards, Carter, Lagat
win in Zurich

Posted September 7th, 2007 at 7:27 PM by Martin Kennedy

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

xavier carter x-man sprinting The 2006 IAAF World Athlete of the Year, Sanya Richards is now the only American alive in the hunt for the Golden League Jackpot after winning the women’s 400 meters Friday at the fourth meeting of the six fixture series, the Weltklasse Zürich in Switzerland. Athletes must win at all six meetings of the IAAF Golden League series to claim a share of the $1,000,000 Jackpot.

2005 World Outdoor silver medalist Sanya Richards destroyed the field in the women’s 400m, winning in a world-leading 49.36 seconds. Novlene Williams of Jamaica was a distant second in 50.85 while reigning World champion Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain was fourth in 51.32 and Mary Wineberg was sixth in 51.53.

2006 NCAA 100m and 400m champion Xavier Carter (Pictured) stole the show in the men’s 200m, winning in 19.92 seconds ahead of 2007 World Outdoor silver medalist Usain Bolt of Jamaice, who took second in 20.19. J.J. Johnson finished fourth in 20.49 while Rodney Martin was fifth in 20.53.

Reigning World Outdoor 1,500m and 5,000m champion Bernard Lagat continued his winning ways today in the men’s 3,000m.
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Weltklasse Zürich Wrapup

Posted September 7th, 2007 at 4:30 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

1500m, Men
Since there was a no rabbits rule in effect, it was a slow, tactical race from the start. Belal Mansoor Ali (BRN) led at 400m, then Suleiman Simotwo (KEN) tried to pick up the pace over the next two laps. He passed 800m in 1:59.19 then 1200m in 2:56.19. Over the final 300m, Mehdi Baala (FRA) poured on his kick, trying to redeem himself for his disqualification in Osaka. He quickly opened a 5m gap and coasted to the finish in 3:38.62. Tarek Boukensa (ALG) overtook several runners in the final few meters to finish 2nd in 3:38.84. Alan Webb (USA) was never a factor in the race and left open the question as to whether or not he can run a smart tactical race at the world-class level. Here are the final results:

1. Mehdi Baala (FRA) 3:38.62
2. Tarek Boukensa (ALG) 3:38.84
3. Daniel Kipchirchir Komen (KEN) 03:38.96
4. Antar Zerguelaine (ALG) 3:39.18
5. Asbel Kiprop (KEN) 3:39.31
6. Christian Obrist (ITA) 3:39.50
7. Alan Webb (USA) 3:39.69
8. Alex Kipchirchir (KEN) 3:39.84
9. Belal Mansoor Ali (BRN) 3:40.21
10. Suleiman Simotwo (KEN) 3:40.52
11. Andy Baddeley (GBR) 3:40.75
12. Arturo Casado (ESP) 3:44.38
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