What can Usain Bolt do for an encore after smashing the 100m world record last Sunday in an unbelievable 9.58 secs? The answer is clear: Just smash the 200m on the eve of his 23rd birthday. Bolt ran a superb race, getting out of the blocks quickly and making up the stagger to be a distant clear off the curve before using those long powerful strides to stop the clock in 19.19 secs.
Bolt smashed his 200m record of 19.30, which he set a year ago in Beijing. As he passed the finish line Bolt pointed to the clock that read 19.19 and the celebration began. His superb and scintillating performance captivated the entire stadium, as fans erupted in frenzy and cheered wildly in awe of Bolts brilliant performance.
For his scorching run, Bolt will collect an additional US$160,000 to add to his 100m winnings of US$160,000. Both amounts comprise $100,000 world record bonus and $60,000 for winning.
Compatriot Steve Mullings, who admitted that he tried to step with Bolt, was 5th in a personal record of 19.98 behind Alonso Edward of Panama (19.81), Wallace Spearmon (19.85), and Shawn Crawford (19.89).
Waving the Jamaican flag, smiling and waving to the crowd, Bolt took his victory lap, stopping to do his trademark “To-The-World” pose.
There are few superlatives to described Bolt’s performance. He has taken track & field from the doldrums of sporting events to the front page with his amazing feats and exploits that are being talked about by both track and non-track fans alike.
The question is: What will he do next? Stay tuned; the relay awaits.
Pride of Barbados Strikes Gold in High Hurdles
Twenty-one-yr-old Ryan Braithwaite of Barbados won the 110m hurdles in a national record time of 13.14 secs just nipping the USA duo of Terrence Trammell and David Payne who ran identical times of 13.15 with Great Britain William Sharman in a distant 4th in 13.30 secs.
Like Brigitte Foster-Hylton in the female’s edition, Braithwaite was not immediately aware of his first place finish and was shocked when he realized that he had won.
Braithwaite has had a superb season leading up to Berlin and has established the Barbados national record at 13.23 during the season. The former Barton County Community College (USA) graduate has given the Eastern Caribbean island of Barbados its first gold medal at the Championships.
At the Reebok Grand Prix in May 2009 in New York, Braithwaite told Caribbean Tracklife Magazine that he would be ready for Berlin. And he was. During the season, Braithwaite posed a legitimate challenge to the Dayron Robles, who crashed out of the semis injured and had to be helped off the track.
Melanie Walker Right on Time
Jamaica’s Melanie Walker, the reigning Olympic 400m hurdles champion captured the World Championship gold in a record time 52.42, beating the favorite Lashinda Demus of the US into second in 52.96. Trinidad and Tobago’s Josanne Lucas finished third in 53.20 secs and Jamaica’s Kaliese Spencer Walker’s training partner, was 4th in a personal best 53.56 sec. Josanne time of 53.20 is a new national record.
Walker who had an erratic season leading up to Berlin was able to put together a good race when it mattered most to win gold. The Stephen-Francis-coached Walker peaked at the right time and displayed the heart of a true champion in capturing gold. -Edited by Desmond Palmer