The sky held back rain for most of the Championships and then sent down beaucoup buckets as the crowd saluted Cole Hockerâ€s last lap gold dash in a highly entertaining 5000 on the final evening. (KEVIN MORRIS) TOKYO, JAPAN, August 13–21 — The noise often seemed deafening. The return of the worldâ€s best track & field athletes packed National Stadium with throngs of enthusiastic fans, most of them Japanese, who of course cheered on their own with gusto but were more than happy to share their noise with athletes from around the globe. The last World Championships held in the fabled venue* back in â€91 hosted 581,462 fans over 9 days. (*=The stadium used in â€91 and constructed for the â€64 Olympics was rebuilt on the same site between â€16 and â€19.) The â€21 Olympics, handicapped by the Covid pandemic, hosted just upwards of zero. This time, unburdened by quarantine restrictions, the fans returned in droves, with a total of 619,288 attending during the 9-day span. The difference couldnâ€t have been more mind-blowing. In â€21, athletes broke World Records only to hear scattered clapping from a few dozen volunteers and journalists. Nothing felt more eerie than watching an athlete produce the performance of a lifetime and by reflex, look up into the stands almost expecting to see loved ones and fans reacting. Their disappointment was palpable as they pivoted to do a half-hearted celebration for the TV cameras, empty seats behind them. This time, the spirited fans made sure the athletes got their due recognition. When vaulter Mondo Duplantis flew over the highest height in history in the meetâ€s sole World Record, the reverberation of their roar shook the night. Mondoâ€s 20-8 (6.30) marked his 14th flight over a global standard, keeping this yearâ€s competition from joining the four editions (â€97, â€01, â€07, â€13) where no World Records toppled. Of Championship records, fans saw many, including Duplantisâ€s, of course. He topped his own 20-4½ (6.21) from Eugene â€22. In the 800, Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya commandeered the lead from start to finish to clock 1:41.86, leading the top 6 finishers under the 1:42.34 MR that Donavan Brazier set in Doha â€19. Canadaâ€s Ethan Katzberg demolished the hammer best with his 277-11 (84.70). The old topper was 274-4 (83.63) by Ivan Tikhon of Belarus when he won his second World title in Osaka â€07. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden rocketed to a 10.61 in the 100, snapping the record of 10.65 that Shaâ€Carri Richardson set in Budapest â€23. Sydney McLaughlin-Levroneâ€s 47.78 American Record in the 400 broke one of the oldest meet standards, the 47.99 that Jarmila Kratochvílová set in Helsinki â€83. Also under the old mark was Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic at 47.98. A bigger shock came in the womenâ€s 800, not that the meet record fell, but who it was that made the falling happen. Kenyaâ€s unheralded Lilian Odira surprised with her 1:54.62 to upset Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson. That broke the 1:54.68 that Kratochvílová set in Helsinki â€83 the day before her 400 standard, the oldest of the meet records. In the steeple, Faith Cherotich of Kenya won in 8:51.59, breaking Norah Jerutoâ€s 8:53.02 from Eugene â€22. The United States womenâ€s 4×4, running in a downpour, clicked off a record 3:16.61 to nip the 3:16.71 that the U.S. set in Stuttgart ‘93. Fans debated whether the rain robbed the Tokyo crowd of a second WR. The last in this compilation but the first of all the meet records this time around was the United States tying its own 3:08.80 best from Budapest in the mixed 4 x 400. The forecasted and much-feared heat played a role, to be sure, but did not wreak the havoc that some had seen coming. In the end the start times of some of the road events were moved up, but there was no rescheduling of track events. The rains of monsoon season stayed away until the final night, when they had a dramatic effect. No event felt the brunt more than the menâ€s discus, which faced a delay of 2 hours before a competition where good footing was worth gold, particularly to Swedenâ€s Daniel StÃ¥hl. While the original planning had set the menâ€s 4×1 as the climactic event, no one could argue that StÃ¥hlâ€s amazing final throw did not fit perfectly as the moment to wrap the meet. Certainly the fans agreed, staying in their seats despite the inclement weather, long after the relay had finished, spellbound by the amazing platter battle. Worth noting is that 53 nations scored medals, the most ever. With each edition, the World Championships becomes more of a truly global event. In the inaugural event in Helsinki, 42 years ago, only 25 nations made the podium. United States Produces Record Medal Count When Noah Lyles brought the relay team across the line first in the 4 x 100, that gave Team USA its highest-ever gold medal total at 16, bettering the 14 that the team had scored in â€05, â€07 and â€19. The 26 overall medals that the U.S. scored easily topped the medals table, but did not come close to the record 33 medals scored by Team USA when it had a home field advantage for Eugene â€22. American fans had plenty to cheer about, with gold medals every day but one. No one came through with a better medal set than Jefferson Wooden, who scored three golds in the 100/200/4×1. That made her the only woman besides Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to have managed that triple. McLaughlin-Levrone, in capturing gold in the 400 and 4×4, joined Jearl Miles (â€93), Allyson Felix (â€09) and Phyllis Francis (â€17) as the only ones to win those two golds in the same meet. On the menâ€s side, it was Lyles who won three medals, though he started off with a bronze in the 100 before he won golds in the 200 and relay. Rival Kenny Bednarek, with a silver in addition to the relay gold, was the only other American male to score multiples. Fans of Cole Hocker didnâ€t take his DQ in the 1500 well, but surely enjoyed his surprise win in the 5000, when he became only the second U.S. athlete to win the gold, after Bernard Lagatâ€s â€07 victory. One additional bit of medals trivia is that in winning the 100 on the second night of the meet, Jefferson-Wooden captured the 200th gold medal ever won by the United States. By meetâ€s end, that total number had reached 211. Only six other nations have topped 100 cumulative medals of any color: in order, the Germanies (combined), Kenya, Jamaica, Russia, Great Britain and Ethiopia. The U.S. now boasts 469 in all, far more than double any other nation. Was it a fantastic track meet? It surely was. And the Japanese people proved excellent hosts, putting on the event seamlessly, managing the biggest crowds ever, and generating plenty of noise. Itâ€s been said that the awarding of this championships to Tokyo was motivated by the desire to let the city show its capabilities and splendor, something that it was robbed of by the pandemic-delayed Olympics. Mission accomplished. The By-Nation Medal Chart Nation Men Women Overall Gold Silver Bronze Total Gold Silver Bronze Total United States* 6 2 3 11 9 3 2 14 *26 Kenya 1 — 2 3 6 2 — 8 11 Jamaica 1 3 2 6 — 3 1 4 10 Italy 1 1 2 4 — 2 1 3 7 Netherlands* — — 1 1 2 1 1 4 *6 Canada 2 1 1 4 1 — — 1 5 Germany 1 2 — 3 — 1 1 2 5 Great Britain — 1 — 1 — 2 2 4 5 Australia — — 1 1 1 — 2 3 4 China — 1 1 2 — 1 1 2 4 Ethiopia — 1 — 1 — 1 2 3 4 Botswana 2 — 1 3 — — — — 3 Brazil 1 2 — 3 — — — — 3 Cuba — — 1 1 1 — 1 2 3 New Zealand 2 — — 2 — — 1 1 3 Spain — — 1 1 2 — — 2 3 Sweden 2 — 1 3 — — — — 3 Bahrain — — — — — 1 1 2 2 Belgium* — 1 — 1 — — — — *2 Ecuador — — — — 1 — 1 2 2 France 1 — 1 2 — — — — 2 Japan — — 1 1 — — 1 1 2 Mexico — 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 2 Portugal 2 — — 2 — — — — 2 Trinidad 1 1 — 2 — — — — 2 Algeria — 1 — 1 — — — — 1 Colombia — — — — — — 1 1 1 Czechia — — 1 1 — — — — 1 Dominica — — — — — 1 — 1 1 Dominican Republic — — — — — 1 — 1 1 Greece — 1 — 1 — — — — 1 Grenada — 1 — 1 — — — — 1 Hungary — — 1 1 — — — — 1 Ireland — — — — — 1 — 1 1 Korea — 1 — 1 — — — — 1 Latvia — — — — — 1 — 1 1 Lithuania — 1 — 1 — — — — 1 Morocco — 1 — 1 — — — — 1 Nigeria — — — — — 1 — 1 1 Poland — — — — — 1 — 1 1 Puerto Rico — 1 — 1 — — — — 1 Qatar — — 1 1 — — — — 1 Saint Lucia — — — — — — 1 1 1 Samoa — — 1 1 — — — — 1 Serbia — — — — — — 1 1 1 Slovakia — — — — — — 1 1 1 Slovenia — — — — — — 1 1 1 South Africa — — 1 1 — — — — 1 Switzerland — — — — 1 — — 1 1 Tanzania 1 — — 1 — — — — 1 Ukraine — — — — — — 1 1 1 Uruguay — — — — — — 1 1 1 Venezuela — — — — — — 1 1 1 24 24 24 72 24 24 26 74 *149 * = includes mixed-sex relay medal Jeff Hollobaugh is a writer and stat geek who has been associated with T&FN in various capacities since 1987. He is the author of How To Race The Mile. He lives in Michigan where he can often be found announcing track meets in bad weather. Post navigation Source link

Just No. 10 on T&FNâ€s premeet formchart, Lilian Odira raced to No. 7 all-time to take a scorching-fast final. (KEVIN MORRIS) KENYAN WOMEN HAD OWNED the top of the podium in the middle and long distances at Tokyo25, sweeping the 1500 through the marathon. But the challenge of adding the 800 to the ledger on the last day was formidable. Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson was one of the meetâ€s stronger favorites, despite coming back from injury with just two meets in â€25. But the Brit had dominated in Chorzów with a WL 1:54.74 and the Diamond League Final in the rain (1:55.69). Yes, Mary Moraa was the defending champ leading a trio of Kenyans, but she only had a â€25 best of 1:57.83 (1:56.03 PR) and teammates, Lilian Odira and cousin Sarah Moraa, were relatively inexperienced. The former was 25, but had returned to competition less than two years ago after having two children. The latter, who Mary calls her “kid sister,†was just 19 and in her first senior global championship after winning the World U20s in â€24. That said, Odira impressed from the get-go here. With a PR of 1:56.52 that placed 2nd to Hodgkinson in Chorzów, she won her heat in 1:57.86. That was the fastest-ever first-round mark at a Worlds. Odira then took her semi in 1:56.85. But taking a leap into the all-time elite? Thatâ€s exactly what she did in the final. The pace was blazing from the start. The elder Moraa, starting on the inside, went immediately to the front and passed 200 in 26.35, followed by Hodgkinson, Switzerlandâ€s rising star Audrey Werro, Odira and Brit Georgia Hunter Bell. Moraa actually drifted a little wide at 200, as if to try and let Hodgkinson take over, but she did not take the bait. Moraa still led at halfway, a sizzling 55.67. Werro drew nearly even with Hodgkinson, while American Sage Hurta-Klecker did the same with Hunter Bell. Odira dropped back to 6th. Moraa continued to leave space on the inside for Hodgkinson to pass, which she did briefly around 500 before the Kenyan moved back ahead. Finally just after 600 (1:25.21), the Brit pushed through with a definitive surge. Around the final curve, Hunter Bell also moved past inside of Moraa and set up a possible GB 1–2. Werro was dropping back, but Odira went around Moraa into the homestretch and set after the leaders. Hunter Bell had moved outside in her chase of her teammate and Odira came up from the outside on both of them. With her terrific 14.46 final 100, finishing a 58.35 closing lap, Odira passed Hodgkinson with about 15m left to triumph in a WL 1:54.62, No. 7 all-time. Hunter Bell tagged her teammate right at the line, 1:54.90–1:54.91. Odiraâ€s magical move understandably sent her fellow gold-medalist teammates Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon, watching in the stands, into a happy tizzy. She had lowered her PR by a jaw-dropping 1.90, broken WR-holder Jarmila Kratochvílováâ€s meet record from the first Worlds in â€83, and given her nation its clean sweep between 800 and the marathon. Besides taking down the meetâ€s oldest record, the race was historically deep. Never before had 3 women broken 1:55 in a race and it was the first time 5 had surpassed 1:56. The younger Moraa (1:55.74 with a 14.48 finish) and Hurta-Klecker (1:55.89) both passed Mary Moraa (1:57.10) late. Best-ever marks-for-place were set or equaled for 3rd–8th (with the 1:55.74 in 4th tying Anita Weissâ€s â€76 Montréal time). Hurta-Klecker became the third U.S. woman to break 1:56, trailing only Athing Mu and Ajee†Wilson all-time. That Jessica Hull could finish 8th in 1:57.30, a mark that would have been an Australian record had Hull not run faster in her semi, was a final testament to the raceâ€s quality. “Our main aim was retain the title back at home,†said Odira. “We worked as a team and I think we said let the best win. So Iâ€m happy for my friend Mary, here, and Sarah. Weâ€ve made it.†WOMENâ€S 800 RESULTS FINAL (September 21) 1. Lilian Odira (Ken) 1:54.62 PR (WL) (7, 8 W) (26.79, 29.48 [56.27], 29.52 [1:25.79], 28.83)(56.27/58.35); 2. Georgia Hunter Bell (GB) 1:54.90 PR (9, x W) (26.81, 29.27 [56.08], 29.38 [1:25.46], 29.44)(56.08/58.82); 3. Keely Hodgkinson (GB) 1:54.91 (26.50, 29.35 [55.85], 29.36 [1:25.21], 29.70)(55.85/59.06); 4. Sarah Moraa (Ken) 1:55.74 PR (27.10, 29.38 [56.48], 29.94 [1:26.42], 29.32)(56.48/59.26); 5. Sage Hurta-Klecker (US) 1:55.89 PR (3, 5 A) (27.28, 28.78 [56.06], 29.88 [1:25.94], 29.95)(56.06/59.83); 6. Audrey Werro (Swi) 1:56.17 (26.61, 29.25 [55.86], 29.84 [1:25.70], 30.47)(55.86/60.31); 7. Mary Moraa (Ken) 1:57.10 (26.35, 29.32 [55.67], 29.54 [1:25.21], 31.89)(55.67/61.43); 8. Jessica Hull (Aus) 1:57.30 (28.34, 28.95 [57.29], 29.53 [1:26.82], 30.48)(57.29/60.01). (best-ever mark-for-place: 3, =4, 5–7, =8) HEATS (September 18) I–1. Hodgkinson 1:59.79; 2. Assia Raziki (Mor) 1:59.82; 3. Clara Liberman (Fra) 2:00.17; 4. Roisin Willis (US) 2:00.24; 5. Caroline Bredlinger (Aut) 2:00.25; 6. Anita Horvat (Slo) 2:00.66; 7. Marta Mitjans (Spa) 2:00.67; 8. Déborah Rodríguez (Uru) 2:03.18; 9. Perina Lokure Nakang (ART) 2:10.13. II–1. Anaïs Bourgoin (Fra) 1:58.43; 2. Moraa 1:58.44; 3. Gabriela Gajanová (Svk) 2:00.44; 4. Veronica Vancardo (Swi) 2:01.13; 5. Rocío Arroyo (Spa) 2:01.34; 6. Jazz Shukla (Can) 2:01.42; 7. Adelle Tracey (Jam) 2:01.70; 8. Nigist Getachew (Eth) 2:02.42. III–1. Tsige Duguma (Eth) 2:01.53; 2. Maggi Congdon (US) 2:01.74; 3. Eloisa Coiro (Ita) 2:01.86; 4. Kelly-Ann Beckford (Jam) 2:02.63; 5. Nelly Jepkosgei (Bhr) 2:02.79; 6. Angelika Sarna (Pol) 2:02.81; 7. Rin Kubo (Jpn) 2:02.84; 8. Shafiqua Maloney (StV) 2:03.12. IV–1. Werro 1:58.43; 2. Hurta-Klecker 1:58.43; 3. Anna Wielgosz (Pol) 1:58.63 PR; 4. Abbey Caldwell (Aus) 1:58.71; 5. Lorea Ibarzabal (Spa) 2:00.60; 6. Moraa 2:01.62; 7. Noélie Yarigo (Ben) 2:03.43; 8. Soukaina Hajji (Mor) 2:06.80. V–1. Odira 1:57.86; 2. Daily M. Cooper (Cub) 1:58.16 PR; 3. Worknesh Mesele (Eth) 1:58.46; 4. Halimah Nakaayi (Uga) 1:58.57; 5. Jemma Reekie (GB) 1:59.35; 6. Hongjiao Wu (Chn) 2:01.38; 7. Smilla Kolbe (Ger) 2:01.74; 8. Eveliina Määttänen (Fin) 2:02.55. VI–1. Hunter Bell 1:58.82; 2. Gabija GalvydytÄ— (Lit) 1:58.86; 3. Claudia Hollingsworth (Aus) 1:59.06; 4. Renelle Lamote (Fra) 1:59.32; 5. Margarita Koczanowa (Pol) 1:59.37 PR; 6. Lore Hoffmann (Swi) 1:59.76; 7.. Pooja (Ind) 2:01.03 PR;… dnf—Charne Swart (SA). VII–1. Natoya Goule-Toppin (Jam) 1:59.66; 2. Oratile Nowe (Bot) 2:00.09; 3. Maeliss Trapeau (Can) 2:00.38; 4. Majtie Kolberg (Ger) 2:00.64; 5. Vivian Chebet (Ken) 2:00.68; 6. Elena Bellò (Ita) 2:02.14; 7. Hull 2:13.42;… dnf—Prudence Sekgodiso (SA). SEMIS (September 19) I–1. Moraa 1:58.40; 2. Hunter Bell 1:58.62; 3. Coiro 1:59.19; 4. Hollingsworth 1:59.50; 5. Goule-Toppin 1:59.58; 6. Lamote 1:59.94; 7. Congdon 1:59.95; 8. Daily M. Cooper 2:03.00. II–1. Odira 1:56.85; 2. Werro 1:56.99; 3. Hull 1:57.15 NR; 4. Hurta-Klecker 1:57.62; 5. Duguma 1:57.70; 6. Nakaayi 1:57.79; 7. Raziki 1:57.87 PR; 8. GalvydytÄ— 1:57.96 PR; 9. Liberman 2:04.12. III–1. Hodgkinson 1:57.53; 2. Moraa 1:57.53 PR; 3. Bourgoin 1:58.00; 4. Nowe 1:58.43; 5. Caldwell 1:58.44; 6. Trapeau 1:58.90 PR; 7. Gajanová 1:59.16; 8. Wielgosz 1:59.72; 9. Mesele 2:00.91. Post navigation Source link