Posted: August 8, 2005

Athletics: Canada’s Jason Tunks eighth in men’s discus at world track and field championships

HELSINKI- Jason Tunks of London, Ont., injured his back on his third throw and took eight spot in the men’s discus final Sunday at the world track and field championships while Olympic champion Justin Gatlin of the U.S., won gold in the men’s 100-metre dash.

In the men’s 100 final, Gatlin clocked 9.88 seconds for the gold while Michael Frater of Jamaica and defending world champion Kim Collins of St. Kitts both clocked 10.05 with Frater getting the silver on the photo finish.

In the men’ discus, Virgilijus Alekna of Lithuania, the Olympic and defending world champion, set a meet record reaching 70.17 metres on his sixth and final throw for the gold medal. Gerd Kanter of Estonia was second at 68.57 and Michael Mollenbeck of Germany took the bronze at 65.95.

Tunks, 11th at the 2003 worlds, threw 63.39 metres on his first toss and 63.77 on his second. On his third throw he suffered a back injury which hampered him the rest of the way as he fouled out his last four throws.

“I overpowered my throw on the third try,” said Tunks, who has had a history of back problems. “It’s a freak thing that’ll probably be better in a couple of days but when it hurts it affects my technique. I’m not upset about it. I wasn’t coming in here thinking about medals. I just wanted to continue a consistent season and the first two throws were very promising.”

In the women’s heptathlon, Olympic champion Carolina Kluft of Sweden successfully defended her world title earning 6,887 points. Eunice Barber of France was second at 6,824 and Margaret Simpson of Ghana third at 6,375. Jessica Zelinka of London was 11th at 6,097.

On Sunday, Zelinka was 20th in the long jump, 12th in the javelin and clocked a personal best 2:11.15 to win her heat in the 800, the third best time overall.

“The 800 is all about guts and I was so happy to finish with such a strong performance,” said Zelinka. “My goal was a top-12 finish and this was a stepping stone towards the 2008 Olympics. I’m at a stage right now where I have to be patient as I continue putting it all together.”

In the women’s 800 semifinal, Diane Cummins of Victoria clocked a season best 2:00.10 to finish fourth in her heat but it wasn’t enough to qualify for the final. At the 450 metre mark she was spiked by American Alice Schmidt.

“That probably cost me a second,” said Cummins, a finalist at the last two worlds. “It forced me to go around her and I wasn’t able to have a perfect race which is what I needed. Still I had a strong finish and I know that getting a personal best is achievable for me this season. I’m not disappointed at all.”

In the women’s hammer throw, Canadian record holder Dana Ellis Kitchener, Ont., advanced to the final, clearing 4.40 metres for fourth in her qualifying group and tied for eighth overall. Kelsie Hendry of Saskatoon was 14th in her group and eliminated.

“I was more nervous today than at the Olympics,” said Ellis, who cleared 4.15 and 4.30 on her first attempt, 4.40 on her second and missed three times at 4.45. “I’ve moved up in the world rankings this year and I’ve put expectations on myself. I probably spent too much time between jumps trying to keep warm and my run ups were not as good as I wanted them to be. I have to relax more for the final.”

Ellis, sixth at the Olympics last year, competes in the final on Wednesday.

In the women’s 100-metres, Toyin Olupona of Orillia, Ont., was eliminated in the quarterfinals placing seventh in her heat in 11.57.

In the men’s 3,000 steeplechase, Matthew Kerr of Elora, Ont., was 14th in his heat and eliminated.

On Monday, Canadians in action are Kevin Sullivan of Brantford, Ont., and Nathan Brannen of Cambridge, Ont., in the men’s 1,500 semifinals.

Note: live audio feed of the championships available at EuroSport.com.