IAAF World Championships 2015- The Kenyans dominate but how will the US bounce back?

David Rudisha from Kenya clinched the gold in the 800m. Kenya finished on top of the medal standings

The 15th edition of the World Athletics Championship concluded in Beijing on Sunday. Kenya topped the medals tally by 7-6-3-16 combination. Jamaica was second with 7-2-3-12. the United States of America(USA) was third, their worst show with 6 medals in each category. 43 countries out of 207 participated registered their presence on the medals tally. Russia could collect only 4 medals, 2 of them being Gold. Surprisingly, Italy finished without any medal.

In two events, both the gold and silver medalists produced their best in last attempt. In men’s triple jump, in the 6th and last jump, Christopher Taylor(USA) jumped 18.21 met. Pedro Pichardo of Cuba produced jump of his life (17.73 met) but has to settle with silver. Nelson Evora gave Portugal the only medal in the colour of Bronze. Katharina Molitor, the European Champion from Germany broke Chinese hearts with the very last javelin throw (W) and home favorite Lü Huihui was left in tears.

Only one World record was broken in this event. Ashton Eaton improved his World Record of 9021 to 9045 points. After finishing 1500m race, the last event of the Decathlon, he was inconsolable. Damian Warner of Canada and Rico Freimuth of Germany were proud losers behind the WR broker. Julius Yego of Kenya gave his country first field Gold medal in Javelin throw of men. Ihab El-Sayed of Egypt was a surprise second.

Traditionally Finland has dominated this event but Tero Pitkämäki has to settle for bronze. Greg Rutherford added Gold for team GB in the long jump (M). In Pole Vault of men, World Record holder Renaud Lavillenie of France has to settle for Bronze. Shawnacy Barber proved to be a surprise winner from Canada. Canada also got another gold for the first time, like Pole vault, in High jump by Derek Drouin on the last day. It was the closest fought event of the tournament and no bronze was given.

Bohdan Bondarenko of Ukraine (former champion) and Zhang Guowei of China were joint second with 2.33 meters. Both the golds of Hammer throw were won by Poland. Pawe? Fajdek did it in men’s section whereas Anita W?odarczyk did it in women.

2 events witnessed 1-2-3 by a single nation. Kenya completed the treble in 3000 met Steeplechase by Ezekiel Kemboi, Conseslus Kipruto and Brimin Kipruto in decreasing order. Fourth finisher was also a Kenyan. On the last day, Ethiopia did it by Almaz Ayana, Senbere Teferi and Genzebe Dibaba (veteran among the three) in 5000 met (W). Next 4 finishers were Kenyans!! Mare Dibaba won the Women marathon for ETH and Ghirmay Ghebreslassie won it for Eritrea in men, the only medal of this tiny African nation. David Rudisha (KEN) maintained his supremacy in 800m (M).

Hurdles gave surprise champs in Men. Nicholas Bett did it for Kenya in 400 meters and Sergey Shubenkov of Russia beat title favorite Aries Merritt of USA in 110 met Hurdles. Jamaica won 4X100 met in style. USA wa stripped of silver due to faulty exchange of baton in last exchange between Gatlin and Gay. As a result China and Canada upgraded to S and B. USA did some damage control by winning last event of the championship when experienced LaShawn Merritt soaked last second’s pressure from Trinidad and Tobago team and won 4X400 met relay.

In women’s relays, Jamaica broke American hearts and reduced them to silver in both 100 and 400 met relay. Jessica Ennis-Hill (GBR) was no surprise winner in Heptathlon. Mariya Kuchina was the only Russian female gold medal winner. She did it in High jump. Limelight of sprints in women was stolen by Dutchwomen Dafne Schippers. She won silver in 100 and surprise gold in 200.

Undoubtedly, Mohd Farah of UK and Usain Bolt of Jamaica are among the greatest athlete of all time. Mohd won golds in both 5000 meters and 10000 meters in second consecutive World Championship. Usain won 3 Golds in 100, 200 and 100X4 meters in same fashion. Both were winners in all these in London ‘12 also.

For India, despite giving their best try, the 4X400 Asian champion women relay team could not qualify for the finals. Vikas Gowda was sadly below his best in Discuss and finished ninth in the final. His best try was 62.24 met in the final, though he is capable of throwing the disc to 66.00 met and beyond. Inderjeet Singh was poor finisher in the final. He performed below par and came 11th among 12 in the final of shot put of men. Lalita Babar broke the national record in heats and qualified for the final. Here she led the whole bunch of talents till last two laps. It sapped all her energy and in the end, Satara (Mah) girl finished proud 8th.