The Hindu : Sport / Athletics : Delightful double for Tyson Gay

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Friday, Aug 31, 2007
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Delightful double for Tyson Gay

ATHLETICS / Rawlinson clinches 400m hurdles gold; Saladino wins long jump

— Photo: AFP

SUPER MOM: Australia’s Jana Rawlinson (second from right) proved that motherhood is no hurdle when it comes to sporting achievements.

OSAKA: Tyson Gay proved that he is in a class of his own when he completed a sprint double at the World championships with a win in the 200 metres here on Thursday.

This weekend, he can do even better — join Carl Lewis and Maurice Greene with a triple crown at the World championships.

Gay caught up with Jamaica’s Usain Bolt halfway through the race and let his legs power through the rest of the way to win in a championship record of 19.76 seconds.

Bolt was .15 seconds behind and Gay’s U.S. teammate Wallace Spearmon took the bronze in 20.05. Another American, Rodney Martin, finished fourth in 20.06.

“I got beaten by the No. 1 man in the world,” Bolt said.

This time, there was no over-the-top breast-beating and shouting that followed his victory over world record holder Asafa Powell in the 100m. It was only evident after he crossed the line what eight races in six days had taken out of him.

He hunched down in contemplation and stuck one finger in the air.

And he still has Sunday’s 400m relay to come. He could get a third gold if he can keep the Jamaicans at bay.

Earlier, Jana Rawlinson proved that titles and records mean little — and that motherhood can strengthen a runner, not break her.

Facing Russian defending champion and 400m hurdles world record holder Yuliya Pechonkina, the Australian took over the race midway through and held on over a tense finishing stretch to reclaim the title she first took in 2003.

Just over eight months after giving birth to Cornelis, the 24-year-old came back as strong as ever.

“The last 18 months have been truly incredible. Getting married, having a baby, and then coming and winning a world title. I don’t think you can beat that,” Rawlinson said.

In long jump, Panama’s Irving Saladino rallied in his last attempt to beat Andrew Howe with a leap of 8.57m.

The results (all finals): Women: Hammer throw: 1. Betty Heidler (Ger) 74.76m, 2. Yipsi Moreno (Cuba) 74.74, 3. Zhang Wenxiu (Chn) 74.39.