The Hindu : Sport : Isinbayeva defends title with a world record

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Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008
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Isinbayeva defends title with a world record

Kamesh Srinivasan

She clears 5.05 metres in her third attempt after assuring herself gold clearing 4.85 metres

— PHOTO: AFP

ALONE AT THE TOP: Russia’s Yelena Isinbayeva reduced the rest of the competition to a sideshow; the only question was whether she would create a new record while winning gold.

BEIJING: Yelena Isinbayeva set her personal bar to a new high as she defended her Olympic gold in pole vault with a world record 5.05 metres, much to the delight of the capacity crowd at the Bird’s Nest here on Monday night.

On a day when the Chinese were grappling with the disappointment of the pull-out of hurdler Liu Xiang following a heel injury, the 26-year-old Isinbayeva’s cheerful fight for her 24th world record and the eventual triumph was a welcome relief.

“I was trying to do my best for the crowd. It makes me happy. I felt that I could not go out without the world record because of the support the crowd gave me. I remember my feelings from Athens and I wanted to feel that again,” said a beaming Isinbayeva.

Having ensured herself gold with her first attempt at 4.85 metres, the two-time world champion, warmed up for the world record by clearing 4.95 on the third attempt.

After having asked for the bar to be put up at 5.05, Isinbayeva hit the pole first with her chest and then with her leg on the second attempt.

Constantly consulting her coach in the stands, Isinbayeva eventually sailed smoothly over to accomplish her target for the Games.

In the women’s 800 metres, favourite Pamela Jelimo beat compatriot and world champion Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei, to win Kenya’s first women’s athletics gold, with a world junior record time of 1 minute 54.87 seconds.

“Sometimes you can assist one another in a race. We really wanted to do that today,” said Jelimo, about the Kenyan 1-2.

Hasna Benhassi of Morocco, the silver medallist in Athens, won the bronze.

The Sydney Games champion, the 35-year-old Maria Mutola, running in her fifth Olympic 800m final, finished fifth with a 1:57.68, and announced that she would retire.

Aranda wins long-jump

Panama’s Irving Jahir Saladino Aranda won the men’s long jump with a leap of 8.34 metres in a final that did not have a U.S. jumper — only the third time in Olympic history that an American did not win a medal in the event.

Angelo Taylor led an American sweep of the men’s 400m hurdles with a personal best 47.25 seconds, thanks to a strong finish.

He had won the gold in Sydney in 2000 as well.

Brimin Kiprop Kipruto won Kenya its seventh successive Olympic gold medal in the men’s 3000-metre steeplechase, with an 8:10.34 to retain the country’s domination in the event.

Stephanie Brown Trafton won the women’s discus throw gold, the first for the U.S. in the event since 1932, with her first throw of 64.74 in the final.

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