Kirani James becomes the man David Rudisha is the boss

Today is a day off from the championships, giving a chance to catch up with last night’s action and preview the finals tomorrow night.

Thankfully there were no controversies last nights, there have already been enough talking points about classifies as interference and the one false start rule which has taken away from performances on the track rightly or wrongly.

The 400m hurdles kicked off the evening action and we aren’t any closer to a clear favourite in either race. Demus was very impressive in her semi final, but that’s not the race where to peak and has shown that she can crack under pressure. The Jamaican duo Walker and Spencer have championship pedigree didn’t perform to well, but they made the final and strange things happen in finals. Hejnová was very comfortable in her run and is a medal chance, not sure she can win it.

Superman Felix Sanchez just keeps on going ran an excellent race to make final. Kudos to the longevity of his career and one of the best ever at this event. Picking a winner in this will be difficult Angelo Taylor double Olympic champion is always thereabouts but never won a world title. Two South Africans in the field while LJ van Zyl is the more credentialed athlete can see him making mistakes in the final. Culson has big chances to win as well, it’s always good when someone from a smaller nation wins a gold medal.


Fabiana Murer

Fabiana Murer triumphed in the women’s pole vault which in general isn’t a bad event when it comes to eye candy. The one thing that is impressive in this newer event is that technically the ladies are good, it’s going to take time for that side to develop but the ladies are very good especially to the female steeplechasers more on that event later.

Murer was the best in 2010 but there were doubts as Isinbayeva had taken the year off and there weren’t major global titles for her to show her skills. The Russian ice maiden crashed at 4.75 and 4.80 to finish 6th, it’s too early to write her off as finished as the dominant pole vaulter it just makes London more interesting. Anna Rogowska wasn’t in form to defend her title, it’s good when there are more winners around. Svetlana Feofanova the very consistent Russian managed to get another medal, technically very sound but just lacks a little speed to go higher.



Yulia Zaripova

Yulia Zaripova was outstanding in her win at 3000m steeplechase. She took it out from the front which personally takes a lot of courage and better when it comes off. It’s always amazing that when there are athletes (not in this case) in the distance races they know they don’t have the finishing kick yet they won’t take it out or in the middle of the race break up the rhythm. Chewya was undefeated all season but with Zaripova taking it out at a fast pace to run the legs off the Kenyans, which worked a treat. As in all hurdling events the barriers are lower for the ladies, but the African women for their talent have absolutely rubbish hurdling techniques which would make things easier, they should learn from their brothers, even the worst one has better technique than the best African woman. Zaripova was hurdling with efficiency especially in the water jump which meant she was able to keep running at that rhythm for the race.

David Rudisha continued his dominance of the 800m and ran a brilliant tactical race. He made up for the mistake in Berlin where he failed to make the final. Usually Kaki goes out very hard, but he didn’t do it this time and Rudisha controlled the race the whole way. Went through in 51.33 had to save some energy with Borzakovskiy who has a big finishing kick and Kaki lurking. In the last 100m just had a look at them moved easily away winning 0.5 sec, Rudisha was the father owning the field who were like little children.


David Rudisha

Highlight of the night on a personal level was Kirani James winning the 400m in 44.60 as was predicted in this blog (link). There should be a public holiday in Grenada as it’s the first ever gold medal for the island. James turns 19 tomorrow he ran a brilliant tactical race, knew exactly how he wanted to run and executed the plan perfectly. Merritt was the class of the field, but he needed some more of the penis enlargement stuff as he ran 44.63. It was the lack of racing that didn’t help Merritt at all, can do all the physical preparation in the world, but match racing is what counts.

Hopefully Kirani James has partied hard celebrating his gold medal as he should, paid his respects to childhood coach and Alleyne Francique who paved the way for 400m runners in Grenada. It’s important for James to have the right people around him to keep him grounded so he can maximise the huge potential he possesses.

IAAF Officials 1 Dayron Robles 0

Controversy has reigned again at the World Athletic Champs, whereas yesterday Usain Bolt knew he was in the wrong after false starting in the final of the 100m. Today’s adventure involved another disqualification in a major final though the race was completed and the reason for the disqualification less cut and dried.

One of the great joys as a fan of the athletics well depending if the individual likes distance running is watching the Kenyan men running the 3000m steeplechase. There is an untapped resource of talent at this event, it’s like the Finns and javelin throwing, Caribbean with sprinting. It’s their most prestigious event back home and the last non Kenyan to win a major championship was Francesco Panetta in 1987. Well there was Boulami who had more EPO in his system than a blood bank and was banned for doping. Shaheen doesn’t count, as he was Stephen Cherono just changed from Kenya to Qatar for the cash.

Four Kenyans in the field, they will run as a team to get rid of any opposition, then once they have dropped most of the contenders, then they will race for themselves. Kipruto is the favourite as he is just 0.01 sec outside of the world record, also Kemboi has run under 8 minutes this year. The conditions have been tough with the swirling winds, will be interesting to see what tactics they use. As for who will win, not exactly sure but it’ll be a Kenyan and personally I’ll enjoy the final which shouldn’t be too slow.

In the evening session there were finals in the mens hammer throw and pole vault, as well as the womens shot put. Primož Kozmus was defending his world title from Berlin hasn’t been in form this season, not throwing so much but he managed to get a bronze medal which was a fine achievement considering his lack of action. Pars, the young Hungarian on his last throw had a chance to pass the leader Japanese-Romanian Koji Murofishi but fell 6cm short with 81.18 and Mirofushi threw 81.24 twice. It’s good that the top three all managed seasons bests here, this is where they want to peak.

Primož Kozmus

Poland managed its 1st gold medal of the championship in the mens pole vault with Wojciechowski who won with 5.90 on countback where he cleared the height on his 2nd vault. The true surprise and star was the silver medallist Cuban Lázaro Borges who cleared 5.90m as well on his last attempt. He improved his personal best by 15cm in these champs, just hope he won’t be busted for doping offences. Yes, it was disappointing no Stevie Hooker in the final but didn’t deserve to get through.

Lázaro Borges

Valerie Adams what a champion she is. The New Zealand athlete has dominated the shot put for some time and after these championships Graham Henry should get her in to talk to the All Blacks, she knows something about winning major titles.

400m semi finals produced no surprise “The Penis Enlargement Man” Meritt looked very good, but as was said yesterday the question whether he has enough running in the legs if Kirani James can put pressure on him. James seems to have a good temperament tomorrow night could be the break out moment, the question is whether he can develop to his maximum potential or not be like Darrel Brown very brilliant junior who didn’t get it done with the big boys.

Tomorrow night besides the 400m final, we have the mens 800m final. We have David Rudisha the current world record holder but he really needs a major title, as long as he runs a tactically smart race then the title will be his. Kaki the Sudanese front runner it will be better for Rudisha if he goes the usual way and stretch the field as Rudisha’s strength will come through plus he can go with a fast pace. Just hope it’s not a sit and shit race run in around 1.45.

Jeter finally broke her drought at major championships with a solid win in the 100m. She has run plenty of fast times just not done it when it counted. Little Shellie Anne Fraser-Pryce had a slight stumble at the start, but Jeter was too solid and deserved the win.



Ivet Lalova

Ivet Lalova made the final, yes she was the best looking one in the final, but her goal was to make the final and after the problems she has suffered it’s a fine achievement. For those who don’t know she broke her femur at Athens in 2005 and was out for two years, took some time to get her confidence back but glad made the final.

Now onto the controversial part of the evening with the disqualification of Dayron Robles in the 110m hurdles final. The final was one of the most eagerly awaited of the championship and the race didn’t disappoint but what happened afterwards was disappointing to all concerned.

Robles finished across the line first from Jason Richardson who has improved greatly this season and third was Xiang Liu. This was not how it ended up, as Robles was disqualified for causing interference to Liu. The pressure was immense Robles wasn’t his usual clean technical self and Liu was hitting hurdles as well. Liu moved to the right of the lane which of course isn’t illegal and Robles hit the 8th hurdle where he lost some balance, then there was contact. As fellow finalist David Oliver said “People who think Robles did it on purpose are crazy and haven't seen his races, late in races he's been getting wide with his arms. Why would you do something intentionally that us going to mess you up as well”.

Yes, there was contact between Robles and Liu at two hurdles, but it wasn’t deliberate. The IAAF somehow concluded that it was intentional. The 100/110m hurdles is a physical event with lots of action and contact, it’s part of what makes the event great to watch. Liu wasn’t the one who protested it was the Chinese federation as Liu knows these incidents and physical contact are part of the sport.

Both guys were in their lanes and now any race where there is physical contact should come down to protest and officiating. Surprised the conspiracy theorists among us which exist haven’t made reference to Chinese intimidation, but the IAAF aren’t known for being a transparent organisation with the sports best interest at heart. The disqualification was a stupid decision, the question is now how will the IAAF handle races where there is physical contact, they need to apply the rules properly but this is subjective at best.


Jason Richardson

Jason Richardson who won the event on a technicality or bureaucratically handled the situation gracefully. Yes, he was happy that he got a gold medal but this wasn’t the way he wanted to win. He respects and is friends with Robles, naturally he wants to win the gold on the track and also would like to thank David Oliver for his sensible comments on a difficult situation.

This will be a test of Robles mentally, he has to stop the problem with the arms getting wide which has been problematic and cost him a gold medal. Strength in adversity and Robles will have plenty of prove for the London Olympics.

Lightning strikes as Usain Bolt false starts out of the 100m

Usain Bolt was making headlines in the athletics world though on this occasion it was not for his running feats more because of his disqualification in the final due to a false start. Besides this major sensation the athletics world doesn’t stop.

Usain Bolt reacts to disqualification

The morning session had the heats of the 110m hurdles and the big 3 of Liu, Oliver and Robles came through without any drama. The hurdles is such a technical event, just one mistake and boom your chances are finished, whether it’s a slow start or messing up the stride pattern. The sport needs good depth in the events as this creates natural rivalries and not needing the press or pundits to create something that isn’t there. With these three hurdlers it evolves naturally which is the best way for it grow.

Lets hope that they make the final and it’s a brilliant race with Dayron Robles coming through to take the gold and do it for “Nerrrd Power”. He said before the championships he wanted to run the perfect technical race, the final would be a perfect place to do this. When Robles gets its right he glides over the hurdles with no wasted motion.

Dayron Robles


Elsewhere in the morning session we had the heats of the 400m with the Olympic champion and the “penis enlargement” man LaShawn Merrit ran the fastest time of the year, after coming back from a drug ban to get a bigger package downstairs to impress the ladies. He hasn’t had many races this season which might count against him in the final if he makes it, but he is the class runner.

Oscar “the Blade Runner” Pistorius made the semi finals as well, he wants to run at the London Olympics since he is so far ahead of his competitors in the Paralympic field. Part of myself thinks yes, it’s good that he wants to challenge himself against the able body athletes, but another side thinks otherwise and where it will end. At the moment it’s fine as he won’t be contending for medals, though can see the people against the move being more vocal should this change.

Kirani James is a massive talent in the Usain Bolt mould but in the 400m. He is from Grenada where my mothers family is from so there will be some bias in my thought that even now he can win the gold medal this year. He is only 18 turning 19 on September 1, current World Junior Champion. He has run 44.61 this season and he doesn’t lack the self confidence either, it’ll shake up the event if he does so.

Kirani James


David Rudisha was comfortable in his 800m semi final running from the front controlling the pace and increasing the tempo when needed. Kaki who ran a poor semi final but scraped through to the final. The only way Rudisha will get beaten is if he runs a poor race tactically. Kaki has to run the Johnny Gray type of race go out hard from the front, but he doesn’t have the flair of Gray or the nous to pace yourself during the rounds. For example running 1.44 in the 1st round isn’t needed when 1.47 is good enough to get it done, have to conserve energy it’s not exactly quantum physics.


David Rudisha

Definite red card for the international broadcasters who handled the mens 10 000m, the coverage was pitiful. Of course with 25 laps they aren’t going to be seen in full nor should they be, but only showed around 5 laps which is ordinary to the extreme. Bekele hasn’t raced all year, trying to get information from Jos Hermans the don and Bekele’s agent was difficult. Once he stepped on the track and didn’t even come close to finishing the race. Jeilan the World Junior champ was so impressive in running 53 sec for the last lap giving Mo Farah 6 metres start passing him in the home straight.

As interesting as todays action was the biggest news of the championships was Usain Bolt being disqualified for false starting in the 100m final. Bolt was looking in fine form before the final and wanted to produce a big run. He is always vulnerable with his starts, even then this was a rookie mistake the rules are clear one false start and you’re out of there. To Bolt’s credit he handled his dismissal from the track quite well considering the circumstances unlike Jon Drummond who was crying like a baby who didn’t get any milk.


It will be interesting to see what the IAAF will do now, whether they will continue with the rule as it stands or amend it. It’s a tough one for the IAAF, they stick to their guns then they’re inflexible, if the rule changes then they’ll be accused of bending over to cater to Bolt who is the biggest star in athletics. The forthright and articulate Ato Boldon has been very critical of the rule as it stands, he warned that this situation with Bolt was going to happen at a major championship and was proven right. It’s not a rule that is universally loved.

Yohan Blake took the gold medal so it stayed in Jamaican hands and within the Glen Mills training camp which Bolt is a part of. The mental state of the finalists changed big time after Bolt being disqualified, then the massive opportunity was there. Kim Collins the 35 year old veteran from St Kitts and Nevis got off to a great start, but Blake stepped it up mid race and his class was apparent. The time of 9.92 into -1.4m/s was a quality time and won it easily from Dix 10.08 and Collins 10.09.
Blake winning the 100m


Blake is the future of the 100m, he has been for some time. Sure his mentor and training partner Bolt wasn’t there, but it’s still a world title which can’t be denied. Blake barring injuries or being lazy will eventually pass Bolt, that’s just evolution. No matter when it’s said and done Yohan Blake is 2011 world champion.

Yohan Blake 100m champion

Bolt will be looking forward to the 200m which is his main and favourite event as long as he stays in the blocks. Murderation on the rest of the field is likely and he will be fresher than usual, when he ran the previous two world record times. Lets hope Jamaica can get the changes right in the relay even without Asafa Powell they will get the job done, only question is the order and how far they win by.

True champions manage to fight back from negative experiences and Usain Bolt will be back bigger, stronger and better

Kenya dominates, bye bye Steve Hooker and Geronimo Goeloe World Champs Day 1 Review

First day of the World Champs in Daegu were notable for two things. One, the failure of World and Olympic champion pole vaulter and all round good guy Steve Hooker not qualifying for the final. He did the equivalent of missing all penalties in a penalty shootout missing all heights at 5.50m.

It has been an injury plagued year for the “Ginger Ninja” has only recently been back in competition lacking competitive toughness, also he has changed the poles that he is using in order to attempt to break Serhii Bubka’s long standing world record. The new poles are less flexible and need time to adjust, this didn’t help Hooker. As befitting his reputation he handled the exit with class and didn’t whine, cry, bitch and moan making excuses ''There's no excuses for what happened today. Three run-throughs at 5.50 at world championships is just not on”.


Steve Hooker in better times

This negative experience will make him stronger and barring injuries he will be a contender for London. As captain of the Australian team, he will stick around the championships in this role.

In contrast to the poor form from Hooker. It was Kenya day especially women, taking gold, silver and bronze in the marathon with Kiplagat winning. They went even better in the 10 000m taking the first four places, over the years the Kenyan women have been beaten by the Ethiopians Defar, Dibaba and Tulu. This time Cheruiyot was able to get the title in a typical championship race which started out very cagey, then the Kenyans wound it up in the last few laps to take the kick out of Melkamu who couldn’t respond in the final lap and was done in the back straight. Kipyego hung on until the last 100m but Cheruiyot won in style.



Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot after winning the 10000m

Heats of the 100m began today. The field before has been weakened by the loss of Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell to injury, both were considered threats to Usain Bolt in the event where he is vulnerable. It’s disappointing when the best athletes can’t make it to the major champs, though with Asafa Powell he never brings his best to finals. So many times he had fastest time of the year, but wore the pink dress when it came to the finals. Not sure how much time he has to write that wrong and if he does, then there will be no problem acknowledging the achievement.

In the morning session tomorrow before the big boys of the 100m dominate the evening one of the most anticipated races of the championships are the heats of the 110m hurdles. There are three big names in this Dayron Robles (aka Nerrrrrrrrrrrrrd Power) with the glasses who transforms into the super smooth and technically outstanding hurdler, world record holder and Olympic Champ. David Olivier the massive unit with plenty of strength and power, the third member of trio is Xiang Liu who came back strongly this year. All they'll be wanting to do is not make a mistake and get through the rounds, if they all make it through to the final. Robles is taking the gold.

There were no major surprises in the rounds all the usual suspects got through without any problems which is all they need to. They will need to bring it for the semi finals tomorrow, then the final. Sure, there were no major surprises, but there was a major disappointment in that the wonderfully named Geronimo Goeloe from Aruba didn’t make the semis. It doesn’t matter with a name like that he is the true star of the championships.



Geronimo Goeloe the Legend


Predictions for the final before the championships it was Bolt to win from his training partner Yohan Blake for 2nd as for 3rd it’s very open and would love another Caribbean athlete to take that spot. Richard Thompson broke the Trinidad record of the legendary Ato Boldon, he will need that form to finish 2nd in Bolt’s semi final.
Blake is favourite for the 1st semi, will go with Bledman or Bailey to take the automatic. In semi 2 Thompson to finish behind Bolt with Frater getting 3rd, in the last semi Nesta Carter, the second spot is very open.

The perfect 100m final would be every athlete from the Caribbean, well as they say dreams are free

Wigan Athletic Fighting the Good Fight 2011/2012 Season

Sorry for delays with this blog. A combination of a lack of motivation and general laziness are the excuses I’m going to use. This is the first attempt at dissecting how Wigan Athletic will perform this season. How this will end not sure, though it’ll be an interesting ride.

It won’t be long until the jokes about the lack of atmosphere at DW Stadium, that there are no crowds at Wigan etc. etc. Sure it would be great if there weren’t the empty seats, but after they moved from Springfield Park. Whether it was because the DW Stadium was better for Diamond Dave Whelan the owner or that they built a smaller football purpose venue is a moot point now.
What the ignorant majority don’t understand about Wigan’s crowds are that they aren’t that bad compared to the size of the town which is just over 80 000 people.

Wigan has traditionally been a rugby league town and one of the best ones, but they and their fans haven’t been able to share the spotlight with Wigan Athletic. This in addition to the location of the town not far from Liverpool, Manchester, Bolton, Blackburn and Preston. Before the rise of Wigan Athletic these people had the choice of seven teams to follow within a small radius, they aren’t going to give up their allegiances. The article from Stuart Alker sums up Wigan’s rise to the EPL and their crowds The Meteoric Rise of Wigan


Finally Charles N’ Zogbia has left the club for Aston Villa. Not sure what to make of this move, yes Villa are a bigger club than Wigan this can’t be disputed. Financially it’s a good move for N’Zogbia at the same time it’s almost offensive that Downing cost Liverpool almost twice the amount of money. Just because he’s English doesn’t mean he is that much a better player.

Footballing reasons this move has come too late for N’Zogbia as Villa especially under McLeish will play a dour, long ball game and their fans will get on his case if he isn’t producing straight away. While thankful for his efforts in helping Wigan survive in the Premier League it’s time to move forward.

Roberto Martinez

The club have been quiet on signings so far this season but they have to August 31 to get some more players. Wigan has already made their two most important signings already holding onto Roberto Martinez as manager after Aston Villa were sniffing around. It was very unlikely that he would be leaving Wigan, so soon as he still has a lot of things he wants to achieve at the club, helping build some more infrastructures. As a young manager he is keen on developing young players and playing an aesthetic style of football with good passing which is the antithesis of the rubbish and overt physical drivel played by teams like Stoke, Blackburn, Wolves and Villa more than likely under McLeish.

Al Habsi

Al Habsi coming back permanently after a brilliant loan spell from Bolton was very important. Al Habsi is loved by the fans and was the Wigan Player of the Year last season. He was very busy as the defenders were under pressure a lot of the time, apart from the odd mistake which happens he is a much better option between the sticks than Chris Kirkland.

This season will be a big one for Victor “Holy” Moses who has a lot of potential but has been used most of the time as a sub at his time with the Latics. He has plenty of speed which is always beneficial, but his decision making needs improvement during the season. This is something that comes with time knowing when to slip the pass or when you take on the defenders, don’t think he’ll be in the N’ Zogbia class of hogging the ball but he’ll need to step up. The friendly against Villarreal showed some good signs from him, though the Yellow Submarine were clearly in preseason mode.

Victor Moses


How Martinez addresses the problems from last season will set the tone of how Wigan will perform this season. There were too many draws from winning positions last season and a lack of consistency it was only until the last two matches against West Ham and Stoke when they won two games in succession. The defensive unit of Der Kaiser Gary Caldwell, Alcatraz, Figueroa and Emerson Boyce is the best at the moment, but they were put under a lot of pressure last season due to the attacking players not converting chances from the excellent build up play which was a feature of many Wigan matches once they got used to the new passing style imposed by Martinez.

Whether this means Martinez has to play with Rodallega and Sammond up front together so they can improve the goal ratio so the defence isn’t under as much pressure. Or the midfielders have to get forward at a faster rate to support the front men. It’s the major problem that needs solving and it will be interesting to see what players Martinez looks to buy or can get on loan. There is a need for some defensive cover, another midfielder and too bad they can’t get rid of di Santo.

Their first 3 matches are against the promoted teams Norwich, Swansea and QPR. There are some thinking woo hoo there’s 9 points at the start of the season, which would be fantastic. At the same time it was only last season when Blackpool thumped Wigan 4-0 at DW in their first match, so that should keep some perspective.

Another season under Martinez the team is now used to the short passing game and making the ball do the work and with a couple more intelligent signings or loan deals, definitely not sure about Wright-Phillips as a solution. If they get that right then a position of around 13th-15th is possible, anything higher would be a bonus or having to fight on the last day would be stagnation.