The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Isinbayeva felled, James rockets in Daegu Posted: 30 Aug 2011 09:25 AM PDT DAEGU, South Korea, Aug 30 — Yelena Isinbayeva today became the latest victim of a curious curse at the world athletics championships, while Grenadian Kirani James lit up the track in the 400 metres to become the third youngest ever world champion.  Pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva packs her equipment after failing to progess in the final. — Reuters pic James has only a handful of senior races to his credit and his exuberant victory will thrill compatriots back home in Grenada. There was no cheer for Britain a year before London hosts the 2012 Olympic Games, though, as their biggest hope for gold on home soil, Jessica Ennis, lost her heptathlon title. Isinbayeva graced the cover of today's official programme on day four — and like the cover stars on each of the previous three days of competition, the Olympic champion and world record holder suffered a shock and ignominious exit. Day one featured Olympic and defending world pole vault champion Steve Hooker, who exited without completing one successful jump. Day two's cover showcased Usain Bolt, and he was disqualified from the men's 100m final. Yesterday was the turn of Cuba's Dayron Robles, who was stripped of gold for bumping in the 110m hurdles. Optimistic Isinbayeva Isinbayeva at least got off the ground, but her failure to clear 4.80 metres was a poor showing from one of athletics' genuine greats. Instead Brazil's Fabiana Murer took gold with a distinctly lukewarm 4.85m, way short of Isinbayeva's 5.06m world mark. "I am very disappointed I lost again but it is okay . . . and I am optimistic for next year," said Isinbayeva, who held the world title in 2005 and 2007 before losing it two years ago. "I came here expecting to medal. I am going to jump higher and higher." These gripping Daegu Games have so far been shaped by high drama and disqualifications — notably world's fastest man Bolt and the burly Robles — but finally athletic performance was the focus. James did not disappoint, surging past American Merritt just before the line to claim victory in a personal best time of 44.60. Olympic champion Merritt, who has just returned from a 21-month ban for doping, had come round the final bend with what looked like a comfortable lead before being beaten by James's finish. "It's a great feeling, but it's great just being here representing my country," James told reporters. "I was just trying to relax and finish strong."  Kirani James (right) shakes hands with LaShawn Merritt, pipped into second in the 400 metres. — Reuters pic "He's a freak of nature," American Glance told Reuters. "At 18 he's the first to make a final and then he goes out and wins the 400 metres. He's destined for greatness." Weak finish For Ennis, it was a weak finish that did in her chances. Three poor javelin throws that never got beyond 40 metres left the British athlete trailing Russia's Tatyana Chernova with only the 800 metres left, and she was never going to beat Chernova by the nine seconds she needed to become the first Briton to retain a world title. "It's a silver medal so I can't beat myself up too much but I obviously wanted that gold," said 25-year-old Ennis. "I haven't shed any tears yet but I might. After the javelin I knew I'd thrown it away." One athlete you would bet the farm on in 800 metres, though, is Kenyan Rudisha. The rangy Masai simply ran from the front and nobody could catch him, winning in a time of 1:43.91 ahead of Abubaker Kaki of Sudan. "I am very happy," said Rudisha, who is unbeaten over 800 metres since the 2009 worlds. "Having the world title is very important to me, more important than the word record. The title will remain with you for the rest of your life but the record can be broken." — Reuters |
| Arsenal sign Park Chu-young from Monaco Posted: 30 Aug 2011 08:15 AM PDT  South Korea's Park Chu-young controls the ball during a training session in Rustenburg in this June 18, 2010 file photograph. He is Arsenal's first signing in the wake of Sunday's humiliating 8-2 defeat at Manchester United. – Reuters pic Manager Arsene Wenger has been under pressure to strengthen his squad after the club's poor start to the Premier League season and the 26-year-old striker could be the first of several signings before the transfer window shuts tomorrow. "We are delighted to have signed Chu. He will add true quality to our attacking forces and will be a valuable addition to the squad," Wenger told Arsenal's website (http://www.arsenal.com) today. Park, who played in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups for his country, scored 25 times in 91 appearances for Monaco. He replaced Manchester United's Park Ji-sung as South Korea captain earlier this year. "I am very honoured and I feel very happy to be at Arsenal. It is a dream to be here and I am really proud to be an Arsenal player. Now I just want to show how good I am and prove myself," said Park, who will wear the number nine shirt. "In my opinion this is a great club, now I have to show what I can do on the pitch. I will do my best, I will never give up, I will show heart, I will give everything and I hope (the fans) will support me." Arsenal have managed just one point from their opening three league matches and have been hit by the sale of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and Samir Nasri to Manchester City since the start of the season. The Gunners have also been linked with Werder Bremen and Germany central defender Per Mertesacker as Wenger tries to bolster a defence that was torn to shreds by United. – Reuters |
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