Add RuguNation to your facebook

Visit RuguNation Music Page

BOLT… shattered world records in the 100 and 200 metres at the World Championships earlier this month

The Jamaican sprinter shattered world records in the 100 and 200 metres at the World Championships earlier this month. He clocked 9.58 in the 100 and 19.19 in the 200 to improve the times he set in winning gold medals at last year’s Beijing Olympics.

Bolt contested the 200 metres at three meetings this season and was not automatically qualified for the race, which will take place on September 13 in Thessaloniki, Greece.

“But as per the qualifying regulations the eighth place is at the discretion of the IAAF,” the international federation said in a statement.

Bolt last competed in the world final in 2006 when he came third in the 200 with a time of 20.10 seconds in Stuttgart.

Bolt… has been labelled the greatest sprinter of all time

Bolt is expected to tackle the shorter sprint on September 25 at the Daegu Pre-Championships Meeting.

Moon Dong-hoo, vice-president of the organising committee for the 2011 Daegu IAAF World Championships in Athletics, said Bolt confirmed that he will race in Daegu and the details are now being worked out for his 100-metre appearance.

In Berlin, Bolt shattered his own world record by 0.11 seconds with a time of 9.58 seconds.

The Daegu organising committee did not disclose his payment, but media reports suggest Bolt is likely to receive US$500,000 for the race.

The Daegu Meeting is expected to attract 200 athletes from 30 nations competing in 16 track and field events.
Meanwhile, Bolt has confirmed that he will also be racing at the IAAF World Athletics Final in Greece this month.

Bolt, who brilliantly won the sprint double – both in world record times – at the IAAF World Championship in Germany last month, is set to run the 200 metres at the September 12-13 World of Athletics Final in Thessaloniki.

Organisers of the IAAF World Athletics Final confirmed Monday that the sprint giant will race in the half-lap sprint on the second day of the final on Sunday, September 13.

Bolt has contested only three 200-metre events so far this year including his Berlin World Championship run last month in an astounding 19.19 seconds, erasing his own world mark of 19.30 he posted in his Olympic victory in Beijing a year earlier.

Bolt last competed in the World Athletics Final in 2006 when he came third in 20.10 seconds in Stuttgart, Germany.

Already being labelled the greatest sprinter of all time, the 23-year-old Bolt is expected to compete in Shanghai after the World Athletics Final before travelling to Daegu.

In the meantime, the projected clash between Bolt and the American Tyson Gay at the Brussels Golden League Meeting on Friday will no longer happen.

Bolt has decided to run the 200 metres and Gay is booked for the 100 metres at the last Golden League meet of the season.

Sprint star Usain Bolt cruises to victory in the men’s 200m final at the Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships at the National Stadium last night. Steve Mullings (centre) was second while Ramone McKenzie finished fourth. (Photos: Bryan Cummings)

On a day that Olympic silver medallist Shawn Crawford posted a wind-assisted (+3.3) 19.73secs to win at the American trials, the world 100m and 200m world record holder Bolt, came off the curve well ahead of the field before cruising the last 50 metres to win ahead of Steve Mullings 20.40 and Marvin Anderson 20.63.

“I’m feeling alright (though) I’m a little tired after the rounds (three 100 and two 200) because I’m not really in the best shape of my life,” Bolt told the Observer. “I think I ran the corner pretty well and my coach will decide what we need to do to improve it,” added the 22-year-old sprinter.

“I think I’m still a little behind the schedule (when compared to 2008), but I have a lot of work to do to get back there and like how we’re leaving for Europe, there will not be any distractions,” Bolt said.

Running into a head wind of (-1.1), two-time Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown, who missed the entire month of April with a toe injury, captured the female equivalent in 22.40secs.

“I have a little under two months before Berlin so I’m confident that I’ll be back in the shape that I need to win (the double),” Campbell-Brown said, who confessed that she was not fully recovered from her injury.

Olympic 200m gold medallist Veronica Campbe-Brown (left) powers to victory in the half-lap event at the Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships at the National Stadium last night. Simone Facey (right) finished third.

“I must admit that the five weeks that I’ve lost hurt me a little, but I’m staying positive and just continuing to train hard,” the reigning 100m champion and silver medallist in the 200m from 2007 added.

Olympic 100m gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser, who captured the 100m title on Saturday with 10.88, finished second behind Campbell-Brown with 20.58ecs, while 2008 NCAA champion Simone Facey was third with 22.96.

The women’s 200m was run as a straight final after two-time Olympic medallist Kerron Stewart and Commonwealth Games medallist Sheri-Ann Brooks, who placed second and third in the 100m on Saturday, withdrew from the half-lap event.

Two-time World Championships medallist Delloreen Ennis-London produced a late burst to overhaul early race leaders Lacena Golding-Clarke (12.89) and Brigitte Foster-Hylton (12.87) at the 10th and final hurdle to win the 100m event in a head wind of (-1.1 m/s).

Commonwealth Games champion Maurice Wignall easily won the men’s equivalent in 13.48 (wind -0.8 m/s) ahead of Dwight Thomas in 13.50 and Olympic finalist Richard Phillips in 13.61secs.

Although Olympic finalist and national record holder Kenia Sinclair retained her 800 metres title with a time of 2:01.63, she expressed dissatisfaction with the time.

“I was really hoping that I could have hit, like two minutes flat or one minute 59. I know I’m in better shape than two minutes 01, because I’ve already run sub- two minutes for the year and split one minute 57 at the Penn Relays,” Sinclair said.

Grenadian Neisha Nerard-Thomas posted 2:02.02 for second, while Marian Burnett of Guyana placed third with 2:04.72.

Aldwyn Sappleton retained the men’s crown with a time of 1:48.20secs, following a titanic sprint over the last 200 metres with Ricardo Cunningham, who lost by 0.01 second on the photo finish. Andre Drummonds placed third with 1 min. 50.49secs.

Isa Phillips cruises to victory in the heats of the men’s 400m hurdles at the Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships at the National Stadium on Friday.

The time makes the St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) alumnus, the joint-third fastest Jamaican of all time in the event.

“The goal is not to take over from Danny McFarlane; it’s the Americans that I want to beat because we’re (I’m) not just thinking national, we are dealing international,” Phillips said, after posting the world-leading mark to win the national title at the National Stadium in Kingston. McFarlane was second with 48.54secs, national junior record holder Josef Robertson finished third in 49.22.

The only Jamaicans to have run faster than Phillips in the one-lap obstacle race are 1992 Olympic silver medallist Winthrop Graham with 47.60secs and 2004 silver medallist Danny McFarlane with 48.00.

Phillips, who had entered the Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships with a lifetime best of 48.36secs says his fast time has been long in coming.

“It’s nothing unexpected because I’ve been running and working hard from day one. It’s a process. We already know that if you work for what you want and want it hard enough, you get it,” he said.

The American trio of Angelo Taylor with 47.25secs, Kerron Clement 47.95 and Bershawn Jackson 48.06 swept the 400m hurdle medals at last summer’s 29th Olympiad in Beijing, China.

“I have seen people working at it for a couple years before they get a breakthrough, so it’s the same thing for me,” Phillips added, noting that he still has some way to go before perfecting his race.

“We’ve (I’ve) just started to get it right. the right steps (between hurdles) in practice have me on 47 high, so that’s coming because once we do it in training , it’s only a matter of time before we do it in competition,” the confident Phillips said, noting that Graham and McFarlane have been tutoring him.

Running in lane three, Fraser exploded from the blocks to lead from start to finish, just like she did at last summer’s Beijing Olympics.

Olympic champion Usain Bolt (left) celebrates approaching the finish line in the men’s 100m final ahead of former world record holder Asafa Powell on the second day of the Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships at the National Stadium last night. Bolt clocked an impressive 9.86 seconds. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

The second fastest Jamaica woman of all time who previously struggled to break 11 seconds all season after an appendix operation in April, crossed the line in 10.88secs despite running into a head wind of (-1.5 m/s).

“Yes, I’m (satisfied) because my coach has been working really hard with me and I love him so much for all his patience and everything he has worked on for me,” Fraser told the Sunday Observer.

“I mean, it was a really bad season for me because I had to take out my appendix and after that I got a hamstring strain, so at times I was really frustrated, but my coach was my motivator, along with my teammates, so I thank God for that,” Fraser added.

Olympic silver medallist and defending champion Kerron Stewart, who entered the meet with the world leading mark of 10.92, surged in the last 50 metres after getting off to a poor start to claim second place with 10.93ses ahead of Commonwealth Games champion Sheri-Ann Brooks, 11.16.

Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser (right) wins the blue riband event ahead of Olympic silver medallist and defending champion Kerron Stewart at the National Stadium last night. Fraser clocked a fast 10.88secs. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

Olympic silver medallist Sherone Simpson, who was running her first race since undergoing surgery on her left knee in September, finished fifth in semi-final two and did not make the final.

World 100 and 200m record holder Usain Bolt recovered from a less than impressive start to catch and pass early leaders Asafa Powell and Michael Frater at the 50-metre mark before cruising to victory in 10.86secs (wind -0.2).

Bolt, who was retaining his national 100m crown, was satisfied with his effort.

“I did not know it was a negative wind, so that is good because it shows that I’m really getting into shape and I’m feeling good after finishing injury-free,” Bolt said.

“The execution was good because I think I got a fairly good start as I didn’t get left in the blocks and I got my drive phase right even though I came up a little early,” he added, noting that he may take it easy in the 200 metres today.

World 100m bronze medallist Powell, who has struggled with an ankle injury all season, broke 10 seconds for the first time this season taking second position in 9.97seconds, ahead of 2005 silver medallist Frater, 10.02secs.

Powell said: “I’m pretty much running on one leg, so I’m very happy and my main aim here was just to finish in the top two.”

Earlier, Olympic semi-finalist Isa Phillips produced a world leading 48.05 seconds to win his first national 400m hurdles title ahead of 2004 Olympic silver medallist and five time champion (2003, ’04, ’06, ’07, ’08) Danny McFarlane, 48.54.

National junior record holder Josef Robertson produced a World Championship automatic qualifying mark of 49.22 to finish third.

The women’s equivalent went to Olympic gold medallist and record holder Melaine Walker, who had to catch the fast-starting 2006 World Junior champion Kaleise Spencer (54.71secs) in the last 20 metres to win by 0.01 with 54.70secs.

Pan American Games silver medallist Nickiesha Wilson finished third with 56.01.

In other finals contested yesterday, national 10,000m record holder Mardrea Hyman posted 10:09.58 to win the event over Korene Hinds, 10:35.89. Andre Drummonds won the men’s 1500m in 3:55.09secs.

Fireworks are expected in the finals of the men’s and women’s 400 metres today following some impressive running in yesterday’s semi-final round.

Olympic and World Championship semi-finalist Ricardo Chambers produced a season best 45.43secs to win semi-final one and progressed to the final with the fastest time ahead of Allodin Fothergill, 45.48.

Defending champion Michael Blackwood, who clocked 45.59 to finish fourth in his semi-final, was later disqualified for a lane violation (Rule # 1633.3).

On the women’s side, Olympic silver medallist Shericka Williams (50.88) and Novlene Williams-Mills (51.05) are the fastest qualifiers.

Gay, the defending double sprint World champion, has been running quick times in the build up to the August Games and thinks he will challenge Bolt, the reigning double Olympic sprint champion and record holder.

“I’m looking forward to a fast race,” said Gay, after running a wind-aided 9.75 seconds in the 100 metres at the United States trials in Eugene on Thursday.
“I ran a wind-aided 9.7. He ran a wind-aided 9.7. We are both showing great fitness.”

Gay could only watch as Bolt made all the headlines at the Beijing Olympics last year, smashing records in the 100 metres and 200 metres, en route to dominating the events.

Injured during the US trials in the lead-up to the Olympics, Gay was not at his best and missed out on a spot in the 100 metres final.

Gay, who dominated the World Championships in Osaka, Japan two years ago, has been on the comeback trail ever since.

He clocked a quick 19.58 seconds in the 200 metres at the Reebok Classic in New York, the third fastest time in the history of the event and now seems poised to test Bolt’s mettle at the August 15-23 showpiece.

Gay said he possessed what was needed to beat Bolt, and would now focus on improving his start.

“Pretty much when I become more technically sound out of the blocks,” Gay said. “I have the mechanics. I have the coaching . it’s there.”

Bolt has looked impressive already this season, clocking a breezy 9.77 seconds at the 48th Golden Spike meet on Ostrava last week.

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic – Jamaican Usain Bolt (2nd right) crosses the line to win the men’s 100m at the IAAF World Athletics Tour Golden Spike meeting yesterday. From left are Ryan Moseley from Austria (eighth), Samuel Francis of Qatar (fourth) and US sprinter Marcus Brunson (sixth). (Photo: AP)

Bolt had a strong tail wind of 2.1 metres per second – too fast to make the time count officially – but he wasn’t complaining.

“I’m just happy I got under 10 seconds,” he said. “Sometimes I got the right wind, sometimes I don’t. I’m just happy I ran injury free.

“It was quicker than I thought,” said the Jamaican, who was cheered by the crowd long after his race.
“It was not an easy victory. I had some problems at the beginning so the result is great for me. I enjoy winning.”

After a seemingly slow start he wasn’t happy about, Bolt cruised to victory ahead of Britain’s Craig Pickering, who finished well behind in 10.08. Ronald Pogon of France was third in 10.17.

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic – Doloreen Ennis-London of Jamaica celebrates after winning the women 100m hurdles at the IAAF World Athletics Tour Golden Spike meeting yesterday. (Photo: AP)

“I’m satisfied with the time, it was a good time,” Bolt said. “Even though there was wind I’m proud of myself anyway.

“I’m running fast; that’s what I’m sure about. It’s a positive sign for me. I’m happy.”

Bolt established himself as the world’s fastest man by winning the 100, 200 and 4×100 relay at the Beijing Olympics in world record times. He won the 100 gold medal in 9.69.

Bolt ran 9.93 in Spanish Town, Jamaica on March 14, but the tail wind was also above the maximum allowed.
He is set to race at the Jamaica championships and meets in Switzerland, Paris and London before the world champs in Berlin in August.

Olympic 110 hurdles champ Dayron Robles of Cuba, who set the world record at 12.87 seconds in Ostrava last year, won this year in 13.04 seconds, the world’s best time this season. He was followed by Dexter Faulk of the United States in 13.13 and Shamar Sands of Bahamas in 13.38.

“Even though it is a new world-leading time (this year), I did not feel well today,” Robles said. “I don’t know what happened. I think I need one more week to train and it will improve.”

The 2005 world champion, American Bershawn Jackson, won the men’s 400 hurdles in 48.32 seconds, also in the best time of the season, with Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic second in 49.20 and Marek Plawgo of Poland third in 49.59.

Meselech Melkamu of Ethiopia was running neck and neck with Kenya’s Linet Masai in the women’s 5,000 until she reached the finish in 14 minutes, 34.17 seconds.
Masai was just 0.19-second-behind followed by another Kenyan, Vivian Cheruiyot, in 14:38.26.

Paul Hession of Ireland took the men’s 200m with a strong finish, beating Brian Dzingai of Zimbabwe by one hundredth of a second in 20.44 seconds.

Double world champ Michelle Perry of the United States was beaten by Jamaica’s Delloreen Ennis-London in the women’s 100 hurdles. Delloreen crossed in 12.79 seconds.

“I’m really satisfied with my time today I can say I ‘m ready for Jamaica’s trials next weekend,” Ennis-London said.

Perry, who hit a hurdle, finished in 12.86 while another American Danielle Carruthers was third in 12.90.

Selected results
Men
100-1, Usain Bolt, Jamaica, 9.77 seconds. 2, Craig Pickering, Britain, 10.08. 3, Ronald Pognon, France, 10.15. 4, Samuel Francis, Qatar, 10.17. 5, Martial Mbandjock, France, 10.24. 6, Marcus Brunson, United States, 10.28.

200-1, Paul Hession, Ireland, 20.44. 2, Brian Dzingai, Zimbabwe, 20.45. 3, Nickel Asmeade, Jamaica, 20.72. 4, Jiri Vojtik, Czech Republic, 20.80. 5, Kristof Beyens, Belgium, 20.81. 6, Stephane Buckland, Mauritius, 20.83.

Women 100 Hurdles-1, Delloreen Ennis-London, Jamaica, 12.79. 2, Michelle Perry, United States, 12.86. 3, Danielle Carruthers, United States, 12.90. 4, Derval O’Rourke, Ireland, 12.95. 5, Lucie Skrobakova, Czech Republic, 12.96. 6, Anay Tejeda, Cuba, 12.97.

Usain Bolt (left) of Jamaica engages in his trademark pose after accepting the prestigious Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award from former world 200 and 400m record holder Michael Johnson in Toronto, Canada, yesterday.

Bolt became the first man to win gold in the 100 metres (9.69 seconds), 200 metres (19.30) and 400-metre relay (37.10) in world record times in the same Olympiad.

“I am delighted to win this prestigious award and would like to thank everyone who voted for me,” said Bolt, who performed his trademark celebration, a lightning-like gesture with his arms.

“It is an honour to succeed such greats as multiple winner Roger Federer, Michael Schumacher, Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods.”

He received the award from Laureus World Sports Academy member Michael Johnson, who set the previous record in the 200m (19.32secs) at the 1996 Olympics.

The other nominees for the award were: Olympic swimming sensation Michael Phelps; Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal; motor sport racers Lewis Hamilton and Valentino Rossi; and Portugal and Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

In Rome last week, Russian pole-vault star Yelena Isinbayeva received the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award.

Bolt is in Toronto to compete in the 100 at the Festival of Excellence track and field meet to be held at the University of Toronto’s Varsity Centre today.