Sherone Simpson (right) of Jamaica on her way to victory in the 100 metres at the IAAF World Athletics Final in Stuttgart, Germany, yesterday. Simpson won the race in 10.89 seconds ahead of Torri Edwards (left) of the United States. - Reuters
Jamaica's Sherone Simpson completed a near perfect season when she won the 100 metres in 10.89 seconds on the closing day of the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart, Germany, yesterday.
Simpson, the fastest woman over both 100m and 200m this season, was chased home a quintet of Americans led by Torri Edwards who was second in 11.06.
The MVP Club athlete was the only Jamaican winner on the day. Next best was Usain Bolt who was third in 20.10 in the men's 200m. That event was won in the third fastest time ever, 19.68, by American Tyson Gay.
The American, disappointed to lose out again to Asafa Powell in the 100 on Saturday, came back on day two to win with a searing run on the fast green track at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion. Only Michael Johnson (19.32) and Xavier Carter (19.63) have run quicker over the distance, with Gay's time equalling that of Namibian Frankie Fredericks in Johnson's record-breaking race at the Atlanta Olympics.
Equally dominant
Sanya Richards was equally dominant in the women's 400, crossing the line in 49.25 for a championship record.
The American, one of three athletes to scoop $250,000 in Golden League jackpot money last week, finished over a second ahead of Jamaicans Novlene Williams (50.36) and Shericka Williams (50.44) in second and third.
Kemel Thompson and Danny McFarlane were fifth and sixth respectively in the men's 400m hurdles. Greek Periklis Iakovakis won in a fast 47.92 with Thompson clocking 48.61 and McFarlane 48.73.
In the women's 100m hurdles, Brigitte Foster-Hylton was fifth in 12.66 behind winner, American Michelle Perry, who streaked home in 12.52.
James Beckford was seventh in the men's long jump with a best leap of 7.83m as Panamanian Irving Saladino was again outstan-ding, winning with a leap of 8.41m.
In a close finish to the women's 800m Jamaica's Kenia Sinclair ended up fourth in 1:59.75. Cuba's Zulia Calatayud won in 1:59.02 just ahead of Kenya's Common-wealth champion Janeth Jepkosgei, 1:59.10.
NO RECORDS
The best hope of a world record yesterday had looked to be from Yelena Isinbayeva in the pole vault but the Russian did not get close to claiming the $100,000 bonus on offer, although she won her event comfortably enough.
The world and Olympic champion, who holds the record at 5.01m, came in with a clean jump at 4.60 and waited to see what the opposition could do.
Monika Pyrek of Poland went over at 4.65 but failed in her three attempts at 4.70. With the American Jennifer Stuczynski also failing at the height, Isinbayeva was left needing to clear 4.75 to win.
She managed it at the second attempt but could not get over 4.85.
"The conditions were right but unfortunately I was too tired," Isinbayeva said. "I have three more competitions this year and I'm not injured, so don't worry. I still have the world record in mind."
The only athlete to win two events was another Russian, Tatyana Lebedeva. She leapt 14.82 in the triple jump to add that to the long jump title she won Saturday and take her weekend winnings to $60,000.
Back on the track, Kenenisa Bekele won an excruciatingly slow 5,000m in 13:48.62, ahead of Edwin Cheruiyot Soi of Kenya. Tariku Bekele, who won the 3,000m on Saturday, followed his brother home in fourth.
The women's 3,000 produced another thrilling personal battle between the Ethiopians Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba.
Dibaba had taken the honours in the 5,000m on Saturday but this time she was outsprinted by her great rival Defar, who crossed the line half a second clear in a championship record 8:34.22.
