Tatyana Chernova claimed her first major heptathlon title on Tuesday at the world championships, and fellow—Russian pole vault queen Elena Isinbayeva was hoping to emulate her later in the session.
Isinbayeva famously no—heighted at the 2009 worlds after winning two Olympic and world titles each. She took a long time off and now hoped to return to the top in Daegu.
Chernova won Olympic bronze in 2008 and on Tuesday took a big lead of more than 100 points from title holder Jessica Ennis when the Briton flopped in the penultimate event, the javelin, with less than 40 metres to Chernova’s 52.95m on a hot and humid early afternoon.
Ennis could not make up the deficit in the final 800m despite a personal best as Chernova crossed the line just behind her to win the gold with a 2001 world lead 6,880 points. Ennis had 6,751 and German Jennifer Oeser added bronze to 2009 silver in 6,572 points.
Isinbayeva was dubbed the star of the night but plenty of attention was also expected on the men’s 800m where Kenyan sensation David Rudisha is unbeaten since a semi—final exit in 2009 and has lowered the world record twice to now 1:41.01 minutes.
Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt was out to defend his 400m title after a 21—month doping ban ended in time for the championships. The other finals are the women’s 3,000m steeplechase and the men’s discus.
In the morning session, 10,000m champ Vivien Cheruiyot took a step toward a distance double when she made the 5,000m final which promises another showdown of her Kenyan team with the Ethiopian rivals led by ex—champ Meseret Defar.
“We are three Ethiopian girls. We will do our best,” said Defar, while Kenyan Linet Masai warned that they have another sweep in mind as in the 10,000m and marathon.
“We are ready for a difficult final, and we will prepare special tactics for the final to win as many medals as possible,” said Masai.
Kenya also have gold in mind in the men’s 1,500m, which they have never won before. Daniel Kipchirchir Komen led Tuesday’s heats with 2011 world leader Silas Kiplagat and Asbel Kiprop also safely into the semi—finals.
