Johnson and Devers Take World Indoor Titles

Pre Championship favourites Allen Johnson and Gail Devers collected the World Indoor titles in Birmingham, as Colin Jackson could not quite deliver the fairtale ending to his illustrious career.

Johnson was a clear winner in 7.45 secs infront of Olympic 110H champion Anier Garcier of Cuba [7.49] with World Junior record holder Liu Xiang of China confirming his emergence on the World scene by taking Bronze with 7.52 just outside his own Asian record. It was Johnson's second Indoor World title, to add to his 3 outdoor titles and 1996 Olympic crown.

Jackson came home 5th in 7.61, behind a big pb for France's Ladji Dacoure [7.58], but was still receieved a standing ovation from the local crowd for his outstanding contribution to British athletics over the last two decades.

Devers' 7.81 was just 1/100th shy of the new championship best she swet in the semi and despite not having quite her trade mark start she finished comfortably infront of Spain's Nigerian born Glorie Alozie whose 7.90 edged out the second American Melissa Morisson by 2/100ths. Alozie was much closer indeed in the semi where her 7.83 was a new national Spanish record.

Jamaican Lacena Golding - Clarke set a new best in forth with 7.92, but just missed out on the medals.

Of the two British entrants Rachel King was just outside her season's best finishing sixth in her semi final, whilst Sarah Claxton could not recapture her AAA indoor form and was eliniated in the first round.

60m Hurdles Women's Final
1	Gail Devers [USA]	7.81
2	Glorie Alozie [ESP]	7.90
3	Melissa Morrison [USA]	7.92
4	Lacena Golding-Clarke[JAM]	7.92
5	Linda Ferga-Khodadin [FRA]	7.95
6	Brigitte Foster [JAM]	7.96
7	Susanna Kallur [SWE]	7.97
8	Patricia Girard [FRA]	8.02

Results

60m Hurdles Men's Final
1	Allen Johnson [USA]	7.45
2	Anier Garicer [CUB]	7.49
3	Liu Xiang [CHN]	7.52
4	Ladji Dacoure [FRA]	7.58
5	Colin Jackson [GBR]	7.61
6	Stanislav Olijars [LAT]	7.62
7	Robert Kronberg [SWE]	7.67
8	Shaun Bownes [RSA]	7.67

 

16 March 2003