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INDIANAPOLIS - With reigning U.S. champions Reese Hoffa and Jenn Stuczynski leading the way, Team USA will have a strong field event contingent at the 2007 IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Osaka, Japan.
Hoffa enters the meet with the world-leading mark of 22.43 meters/73 feet 7.25 inches in the men's shot put, a personal best which he threw August 2 in London,. The mark moved him into the #11 spot on the all-time performer's list. The 2006 World Indoor champion, Hoffa won the 2007 U.S. Outdoor title with his throw of 21.47m/70-5.25, as all five of his legal throws were better than the next-best competitor. Not to be overlooked is reigning World champion Adam Nelson, who shows up when titles are on the line. Nelson is a two-time Olympic silver medalist and two-time World Outdoor silver medalist, who spent much of this season juggling his training with MBA classes at the University of Virginia.
In the women's pole vault, American record-holder Jenn Stuczynski will give the U.S. its first chance for gold since Stacy Dragila won the inaugural and subsequent women's competition at World Outdoors in 1999 and 2001. Stuczynski first set the American record May 20 at the adidas Track Classic, when she vaulted 4.84m/15-10.5. She followed that up with a vault of 4.88m/16-0 at the Reebok Grand Prix to break her own record and tie the second best performance ever. She currently owns three of the top ten marks in the world this year.
Other athletes to watch include:
*Two-time World Outdoor champion and 2004 Olympic gold medalist Dwight Phillips, who will be vying for the Worlds three-peat in the men's long jump. Although Phillips has jumped sparingly in 2007, his experience, poise and ability should pay off in Osaka.
*Reining World Indoor & Outdoor champion Walter Davis will pull double duty, looking to once again claim gold in the men's triple jump and bring home more hardware in the men's long jump. Like Phillips, Davis has competed rarely in his specialty event this year.
*2005 World champion Tianna Madison is back and looking to repeat in the women's long jump.
*American record-holder Breaux Greer currently has the farthest throw in the world this year in the men's javelin and will look to continue on his hot streak.
*2006 World Indoor champion and 2005 World Outdoor silver medalist Brad Walker hopes to fly high and bring home the gold in the men's pole vault. Walker currently has the top two vaults in the world this year, and three of the top five clearances.
Fans can watch Team USA on national television broadcasts on NBC and Versus, or online via live, daily webcast at www.wcsn.com. For complete TV listings, visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2007/IAAFWorldOutdoorChampionships/TVSchedule.asp
For more information on Team USA at the World Outdoor Championships, visit USATF.org.
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