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OSAKA, Japan - Jeremy Wariner led the first-ever sweep of the men's 400 and Allyson Felix defended her world 200m title with the largest margin of victory in World Championships history Friday night at the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Adding a pair of medals in the men's 110m hurdles, Team USA picked up six medals at Nagai Stadium to bring its overall total to 19.
The defending Olympic and World Champion, Wariner (Waco, Texas) entered Osaka heavily favored in the 400, with the U.S. expected to sweep. Wariner and his compatriots LaShawn Merritt (Suffolk, Va.) and Angelo Taylor (Decatur, Ga.) came through in speedy fashion.
Merritt got out well, appearing to hold a very slight lead at 200 meters, with Wariner and Chris Brown of the Bahamas relatively even. Wariner then took over and gradually extended his lead over the final straight, winning in a world-leading, personal-best time 43.46 seconds, with Merritt second in 43.96. It was the first time Merritt has dipped under 44 seconds and it made him only the second man to do so since world record holder Michael Johnson. The 2000 Olympic 400m hurdles champion, Taylor got out slowly, rallied on the turn and held off Brown for third, running 44.32 to Brown's Bahamian national record 44.45.
Felix sends a message
Standing a willow 5-6 and 115 pounds, 2005 women's 200m gold medalist Felix demonstrated not only her fitness but her fierce determination to win and her utter, global domination of the 200. A showdown between Felix, 2006 IAAF World Athlete of the Year Sanya Richards and Olympic gold medalist Veronica Campbell of Jamaica had been anticipated weeks before the Championships, but the race was no contest.
Campbell bolted out of the blocks, but Felix began closing on her on the turn. With 75 meters remaining, Felix simply took off, striding to the gold medal and a huge personal best of 21.81 seconds (1.7 mps wind), the fastest time run by a woman this century. The time improved Felix's previous best by .30 and defeated Campbell in second (22.34) by an astounding .53, the biggest margin of victory in World Championships history. (Inger Miller ran 21.77 to 22.22 for Beverly McDonald of Jamaica in 1999; Felix's time is the fastest in any race since Miller in '99.) It was also the largest margin of victory in a major championship since legendary Fanny Blankers-Koen of the Netherlands won the 1948 Olympic title by .8 seconds in a hand-timed 24.4.
In the race for bronze, Susanthika Jayasinghe of Sri Lanka finished third in 22.65, inching out 2003 World Outdoor silver medalist Torri Edwards (Corona, Calif.) in fourth in 22.65. Richards (Austin, Texas) was fifth in 22.70 and LaShaunte'a Moore (Akron, Ohio) seventh in 22.97.
Felix, who also has set personal bests at 100m (11.01) and 400m (49.70) this year, is not done in Osaka: she has plans to compete in Team USA's relays on Saturday and Sunday.
Double medals in 110m hurdles
Terrence Trammell (Ellenwood, Ga.) and David Payne (Cincinnati, Ohio) capped off a tremendous showing in the men's 110m hurdles by going 2-3 in Friday's last event.
Payne got out of the blocks well and was among the first to reach the first hurdle, while Trammell got left in the blocks with the slowest reaction time of .205. A two-time Olympic silver medalist and the 2003 World Outdoor silver medalist, Trammell quickly rallied and was in control of the race by the fifth hurdle. But world record holder and Olympic champion Liu Xiang of China ran alone in Lane 9, and he began his move late in the race. He took the lead over the penultimate barrier and went on to win in 12.95, with Trammell second in 12.99 and Payne third in a personal-best time of 13.02. It was a breakthrough performance for Payne, who is apparently immune to the affects of jet lag, having arrived in Osaka on Tuesday night.
Moving on ...
After five events in the decathlon, 2003 World Outdoor Champion Tom Pappas (Knoxville, Tenn.) was in fifth place with 4,147 points, posting marks of 10.96 in the 100 (870 points), 7.44m/24-5 in the long jump (920), 16.31m/53-6.25 in the shot put (870), 2.03m/6-8 in the high jump (831) and 49.22 (851) in the 400. Paul Terek (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) was in 10th with 4,174 points and marks of 10.95 (872), 7.26m/23-10 (876), 14.81m/48-7.25 (778), 2.0m/6-6.75 (803) and 49.34 (845). Jake Arnold (Santa Rosa, Calif.) was in 14th with 4,103 points and marks of 11.14 (830), 6.86m/22-6.25 (781), 14.73m/48-4 (773), 2.06m/6-9 (859) and 49.02 (860).
Defending gold medalist Bryan Clay (Glendora, Calif.) was in second place heading into the high jump, but he suffered an apparent pull of his right quadriceps while attempting to clear 2.0m and withdrew. Although he was in third place after the high jump with 3,558 points, with marks of 10.62 (947), 7.65m/25-1.75 (972), 15.51m/50-10.75 (933), 1.97m/6-5.5 (776), he could not continue.
The American men's 4x100m relay lineup of Rodney Martin (Los Angeles, Calif.), Wallace Spearmon (Fayetteville, Ark.), Darvis Patton (Fort Worth, Texas) and LeRoy Dixon (Los Angeles, Calif.) combined to get Team USA to Saturday's final, running 38.10 to place second in Heat 2 behind Jamaica (38.02).
In the women's 1,500m semifinals, Erin Donohue (Haddenfield, N.J.) was ninth in Heat 1 in 4:16.14, and Treniere Clement (Knoxville, Tenn.) was ninth in Heat 2 in 4:08.32. Neither made the final. Team USA's men's 800m due of Khadevis Robinson (Santa Monica, Calif.) and Nick Symmonds (Springfield, Ore.) also fell short in the men's 800m semis, with Robinson placing fourth in Heat 1 in 1:45.45 and Symmonds sixth in Heat 2 in 1:46.41.
Team USA Medal Table
Gold (8)
Tyson Gay (Fayetteville, Ark.), M100m, 9.85
Tyson Gay (Fayetteville, Ark.), M200m, 19.76 CR
Jeremy Wariner (Waco, Texas), M400m, 43.46WL
Bernard Lagat (Tucson, Ariz.), M1,500m, 3:34.77
Kerron Clement (Gainesville, Fla.), M400H, 47.61WL
Reese Hoffa (Athens, Ga.), MSP, 22.04m/72-3.75
Allyson Felix (Santa Clarita, ,Calif.), W200, 21.81WL
Michelle Perry (Santa Clarita, Calif.), W100H, 12.46
Silver (4)
LaShawn Merritt (Suffolk, Va.), M400m, 43.96
Terrence Trammell (Ellenwood, Ga.), M110mH, 12.95
Adam Nelson (Charlottesville, Va.), MSP, 21.61m/70-10.75
Lauryn Williams (Miami, Fla.), W100m, 11.01
Bronze (7)
Wallace Spearmon (Fayetteville, Ark.), M200m, 20.05
Angelo Taylor (Decatur, Ga.), M400m, 44.32
David Payne (Cincinnati, Ohio), M110H, 13.02
Dwight Phillips (Snellville, Ga.), MLJ, 8.30m/27-2.75
Walter Davis (Baton Rouge, La.), MTJ, 17.33m/56-10.75
Carmelita Jeter (Long Beach, Calif.), W100, 11.02
Kara Goucher (Portland, Ore), W10,000m, 32:02.05
Day 7 Team USA Evening Quotes
Women's 1,500-Meter Semifinals
Treniere Clement (Knoxville, Tenn.): I was prepared to go out at any pace-slow or fast. I lost focus with about two laps to go when I clipped a girl and I was trying to regain my balance.
Erin Donohue (Haddenfield, N.J.): I knew going into the race the pace was going to be a bit slow, with all of the good runners in the heat. There was really no incentive for them to run fast. My next meet will be in Paris in September, then I'll shut it down for the season.
Men's 800-Meter Semifinals
Khadevis Robinson (Santa Monica, Calif.): I thought I had a lot over at the end. I thought I could run a little bit taller. I was feeling terrible yesterday. I was dehydrated. I put it out there. I felt that if I run that tempo and my body responded, then I would run what I am suppose to run, which is 1:44 low. My body didn't respond, so I ran 1:45 low. It happens. I'm human. I really wanted to leave it out there.
Nick Symmonds (Springfield, Ore.): It's kind of what I expected. It went out quick. I got right where I wanted to be. With a quarter to go, I saw the guys pulling away. I told myself to go up with them. My legs just wouldn't do it. I know where I need to be. It's a little bit late in my season. I like to time it differently next year so I am a little fresher for the Games. But it's a good experience.
Men's 4x100m Relay Opening Round
Rodney Martin (Los Angeles, Calif.): I was comfortable with the run. The goal was to get the stick around.
Wallace Spearmon (Fayetteville, Ark.): I wanted to get the stick in my hand, run, and hand it off.
Leroy Dixon (Los Angeles, Calif.): We ran good and comfortable today. We just wanted to get through. We don't want to just burn up the track today, so we will just go and wait for tomorrow. Rodney started us off with a good, great leg. That's to be expected for the finals. Wallace ran a good leg. Darvis got it to me. It should all be good for tomorrow.
Women's 200-Meter Final
Allyson Felix (Sata Clarita, Calif.): I got out decent and I knew if I was close to Veronica (Campbell) my chances were pretty good. I wanted to come off the curve strong and power through and I was thinking about under 22 seconds the whole way. This one was really special and I've been at 22 seconds for as long as I can remember, and to finally work so hard this year after a not so great last year, and to win the title at the same time is definitely special.
Sanya Richards (Austin, Texas): I'm just very disappointed. I felt very good today in warm-up and I definitely felt I could run with Allyson and Veronica. When they passed me on the turn I didn't think that could happen so early, and I don't think I tightened up, I just kind of got a little discouraged and didn't even end up with a medal.
LaShauntea Moore (Akron, Ohio): I was out in Lane 9, I was running blind and I tried to get out the blocks and run the curve as hard as I could. It was a really fast race. I don't know, my legs just were not there today. I hit the straightaway and that's when I realized, 'Oh, Oh.'
Torri Edwards (Corona, Calif.): I got out pretty well. I just tried to hold on towards the end, fatigue in my legs, that's all I had. Everything just caught up with me. I fought, but I didn't get it. I didn't want to leave here empty handed. I wanted to get on the award stand. You have to take the good with the bad.
Men's 400-Meter Final
Jeremy Wariner (Waco, Texas): I knew it was going to be a fast time. My main concern was getting the victory. Whatever I crossed the finish line with, I was going to be happy with it. That's one thing I wanted to do was get a personal best and I did it and got the victory. It's not just me and Allyson (Felix). Merritt is part of it. He broke 44. Me and him are going to be battling through the rest of our careers. I'm looking forward to that. The younger we are, the more it's going to help us out with the sport. The sweep means a lot. We did it back in '04, and you saw what we did with the 4x4. Hopefully we can do the same thing here. The win ranks at the top for me. I PR'd. I'm the lone third person in the world. That means a lot. I'm looking forward to running faster.
Angelo Taylor (Decatur, Ga.): It was a fast race. I got out a little bit too fast and I'm paying for it at the end. I knew it was going to be a quick race. I was (amped) up. It was my first time in a World Championship final ever. It was a learning experience. I just finished strong. I knew I got out a little bit too fast, and it was going to be hard to catch up. I just finished strong and got a medal. (On the sweep) It means we have a chance for a world record in the 4x4. We are very deep in the 400. We have to all come together and run this relay.
LaShawn Merritt (Suffolk, Va.): It was a good race. Everyone saw what I did wrong in with the last 100. My transition off the curve wasn't as smooth as I wanted it to be. That pretty much made the difference in the race and my time. I ran a personal best which was expected because I am in the best shape of my life. It's just that part of the race I need to work on. For some reason, I can't stay as smooth as I want to. When you get in the competition, and you come around the curve and you don't get that transition and hold on, you're going to break a little bit. It wasn't because of Jeremy that I didn't run the 100 that I wanted to. I ran it fast because I PR'd. I just didn't run it as smooth as I wanted to. The sweep is a good thing for the rest of the quarter-milers because it lets them know they have to go and train. We train hard, everyone trains hard. The US has the top three quarter-milers in the world. It pretty much lets the world know that they have to do what they have to do because we are going to bring it.
Men's 110m Hurdles Final
Terrence Trammel (Ellenwood, Ga.): I think I had a pretty good start. I wasn't hesitant, and as I got through the first three hurdles, I felt calm. I had a sense of urgency because I couldn't feel Liu Xiang on the end. I knew when I got to hurdle seven, that I had cleared everyone around me, but I still couldn't feel him. I was trying to stay focused on my ten hurdles, and when I came off, he was a little bit ahead. I'm a little disappointed, but when you go under 13 seconds, you can't be too disappointed. I feel blessed to make the podium again, so I'm moving in the right direction.
David Payne (Cincinnati, Ohio): It was a long week, but a great week. I got into town Tuesday night. This shows me that if I had more time to prepare, that I could run even better. I think I had a pretty good race; got out of the blocks pretty well. I knew I had to move on the second hurdle, since Liu was on the right and if I could stay with him I knew I could finish in the top three. Coming off hurdle 10, I was trying to run off it as hard as I can and try to get a medal. As soon as I crossed the line, I knew that I was in contention for a medal.
I honestly thought I couldn't run this fast coming off the plane. Honestly, I haven't had a chance to adjust to the time, and I'm wondering when it's going to hit me. But hey, I've got a medal!
Men's Decathlon (End of Day 1)
Tom Pappas (Knoxville, Tenn.): It was a struggle. It was a weird decathlon-a lot of weird stuff happened. I'm trying to hang in there. I've been pretty average so far.
Paul Terek (San Luis Obispo, Calif.): It started out all right. It was a little disappointing at the end. Could've performed better in the shot and the 400. Gotta get home and get rested up. If I perform the way I'm supposed to, I'll be in the hunt for a good place.
Robert Arnold (Santa Rosa, Calif.): Actually I had a really good day today. I'm ahead of my first day total. I took a lot of jumps in the high jump, so I was dead in the 400. Otherwise, it went well, especially in the high jump. Those second day events have been going well for me. I expect to have a second day PR.
For complete results, quotes and Team USA reports, visit USATF.org.
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 USATF.org.
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