Yelena Isinbayeva extended her string of failures at major events on Tuesday, going under the pole vault bar on her final attempt while five other competitors were still looking for gold at the world championships.
When the Russian was packing up her bag, Fabiana Murer of Brazil added the outdoor world title to the indoor championship only one year before the London Olympics.
Murer set a South American record of 4.85 meters to beat Martina Strutz, who set a German record of 4.80. Svetlana Feofanova gave Russia bronze with a height of 4.75.
“I lost again. But it’s OK and I’m optimistic for next year,” Isinbayeva said. “The Olympic year is more important. I was just unlucky.”
800 mtr gold for Rudisha
In the 800 meters, world-record holder David Rudisha of Kenya beat rival Abubaker Kaki of Sudan to win his first world title with yet another dominating performance. It was the 32nd straight race he has won in the last two years.
In a thrilling 400 final, Kirani James of Grenada fought from behind to beat favorite LaShawn Merritt of the United States at the line, and Robert Harting of Germany extended his domination of the men’s discus. Also, Tatyana Chernova of Russia ended the reign of Jessica Ennis in the heptathlon, coming from behind to take gold.
