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The Moscow Diaries part 5

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The review of European performances at the world championships in Moscow continues with more success from the host nation of Russia.

Day Eight, Saturday August 17, More home success for Russia

Another of the most anticipated of the Championships for the host nation because of the final of the women’s high jump, where Russia’s Anna Chicherova was the defending champion who also had won Olympic gold in London the previous summer. The home crowd were not to be disappointed - only it was not Chicherova who had them celebrating.

Gold went the way of Chicherova’s teammate Svetlana Shkolina, the London bronze medallist, who, barring one hiccup on her first jump at 1.93m had a blemish-free run, taking victory with a personal best of 2.03m.

It was a fabulous competition with six women left after 1.97m with American Brigetta Barrett leading on countback. But only Shkolina and her went over at 2.00m. Then the bar moved to 2.03m which the Russian cleared first time as Barrett failed on her three attempts, sparking joyous scenes for Shkolina. Chicherova did make the podium, sharing third with Ruth Beitia, Spain’s European champion, indoors and out.

Russia’s day of glory was not over with as their women gave the crowd a roaring finish when they took the 4 x 400m relay gold in a world-leading time of 3:20.19.

The quartet of Yuliya Gushchina, Tatyana Firova, Kseniya Ryzhova and Antonina Krivoshapka triumphed ahead of the USA, second in 3:20.41, with Great Britain’s team of Eilidh Child, Shana Coz, Margaret Adeoye and Christine Ohuruogu coming home for bronze in 3:22.61.

It was a tremendous race as American Francena McCorory had taken the lead on the home straight only for Krivoshapka, the individual bronze medallist, to move back in front for the win as the finishing line drew nearer.

In the men’s javelin, Europe had a clean sweep as Vitezslav Vesely, of the Czech Republic, added the world title to his European gold from 2012. His victory came with his first throw, a superb 87.17m that the rest could not match, though in the third round Finland’s Tero Pitkamaki came mighty close.

The 2007 world champion reached 87.07m, an effort which secured him second as Russia’s Dmitriy Tarabin was third with final round effort of 86.23m. Having won in Helsinki, Vesely was left with the disappointment of missing out on an Olympic medal a few months later in London when he finished fourth, but he made up for any upset from that day in style.

The women’s 100m hurdles final brought Europe more medal success as Tiffany Porter, of Great Britain, took bronze in a personal best of 12.55 as Brianna Rollins, of the USA, won in 12.44, beating Australia’s Olympic champion Sally Pearson, who was second in 12.50.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

I had this inner feeling I was going to clear this height (2.03m). Dreams do come true.

Svetlana Shkolina




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