2019 WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS: Gardiner powers away to win dramatic 400 metres

DOHA, October 5 (Reuters): Bahamian Steven Gardiner powered to victory in the 400 metres at the world

championships on Friday, one month after he was personally affected by the hurricane which devastated his country.

Gardiner, who was troubled by an Achilles tendon problem earlier in the season, won in 43.48 seconds, making him the sixth-fastest 400m runner in history, as he went one better than the silver medal he claimed in London two years ago.

Colombian Anthony Zambrano produced a surge down the final straight as he charged from fourth to second to snatch the silver and leave American Fred Kerley, one of the pre-race favourites, with the bronze after an enthralling race.

"Hurricane Dorian was very devastating for my family and my island," Gardiner told reporters.

"I just wanted to come here to do my best. My friends and my family wanted me to perform, I was able to bring home a medal for my country. I just wanted to go there and make our country proud."

Hurricane Dorian slammed into the Bahamas on Sept. 1 as a Category 5 storm, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record to hit land, causing widespread devastation and killing at least 50 people. Gardiner is from Abaco, one of the worst affected islands.

 

Dalilah breaks own world record to win 400m hurdles

American Dalilah Muhammad broke her own world record to win the women's 400 metres hurdles at the world

championships with a time of 52.16 seconds on Friday, edging out compatriot Sydney McLaughlin in a gripping race.

The 29-year-old Muhammad, the 2016 Olympic champion, crossed the finish line 0.04 seconds faster than her previous world record set in July.

The American attributed her two world marks to her work ethic, and said she was focused on successfully defending her title at next year's Tokyo Olympics. When she crossed the finish line, Muhammad had no idea she had set a new record.

McLaughlin, 20, closed in on her team mate on the home stretch but she could not quite catch up as she finished second in 52.23 seconds, a personal best.

Rushell Clayton of Jamaica took the bronze with a personal best time of 53.74 seconds.

 

Qatar celebrates as Barshim soars to high jump gold

Lifted by a packed stadium, Qatar's Mutaz Barshim soared to victory in the men's high jump at the world championships on Friday to give the hosts a long-awaited first gold medal.

With the crowd on their feet for every jump, Barshim delivered the performance they demanded by clearing 2.37 metres on his first attempt before watching on as his rivals failed to match his effort.

Two Russians, who are in Qatar competing as neutral athletes, completed the podium with Mikhail Akimenko, cleared to compete just last month, celebrated his return to international competition taking the silver and Ilya Ivanyuk the bronze.

Barshim became the first man to successfully defend the world high jump crown. "For me it was just a dream," said Barshim. "At home it was just amazing.”

 

Japan's Yamanishi takes gold in 20km race walk

Toshikazu Yamanishi of Japan took gold in the men's 20km race walk at the world athletics championships on Saturday, making him a favourite on home roads at next year's Tokyo Olympics.

In the sizzling heat and humidity of the Qatari night, Yamanishi had a comfortable lead for the second half of the race, crossing the finish line in one hour 26 minutes and 34 seconds.

Vasily Mizinov, a Russian authorised to compete as a neutral athlete, closed up on Yamanishi towards the end of the race, finishing 15 seconds behind him.

Perseus Karlstrom took the bronze by clocking a time of one hour and 27 minutes, giving Sweden its first race walking medal at the world championships since 1991.

Several walkers did not finish the race on Doha's famous Corniche promenade, which started at 23:30 to minimise the harmful effects of the heat on competitors.

Yamanishi's medal completed a double for Japanese male race walkers in Doha after Yusuke Suzuki won gold in the 50km event earlier in the championships.

 

Kipruto wins photo finish to claim steeplechase gold

Kenya's Conseslus Kipruto edged out Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia in a photo finish to successfully defend his 3,000 metres steeplechase world title on Friday.

In the home straight the race came down to a 100m sprint and Kipruto just won it, dipping to pip the 18-year-old Girma on the line in a time of eight minutes, 1.35 seconds.

Girma was 0.01 seconds back and had to settle for silver, Ethiopia's first ever medal in the event.

Morocco's Soufiane El Bakkali completed the podium by taking the bronze.

Kipruto's victory extended Kenya's dominant run to seven consecutive men's world steeplechase gold medals going back to the 2007 championships in Japan.