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Anna Willard Wins Women's 800m, Sanya Richards Shares Jackpot, at Memorial Van Damme, Final 2009 Golden League Meet
From USA Track & FieldSeptember 7, 2009
Brussels, Belgium
The resurgence of American distance runners continued at the Memorial Van Damme, the sixth and final track & field meet in the AF Golden League series. The Memorial Van Damme was held on Friday evening, September 4 in Brussels, Belgium; weather conditions were cool and rainy.
Matt Tegenkamp (27) of Portland, OR became the fourth American man ever to break the 13:00 barrier in a 5000m race, one week after Dathan Ritzenhein (26) set a new American record of 12:56.7 in the men's 5000m at the Weltklasse Zurich. At the Memorial Van Damme, Matt Tegenkamp crossed the line in seventh place with a time of 12:58.56; he bettered his personal best of 13:04.90 (2006). Matt's performance in Brussels is the third-fastest time ever by an American.
Anna Willard continued her outstanding summer in Golden League racing by winning the Memorial Van Damme women's 800m in 1:59.14 on Friday; one week earlier, she had placed second in the women's 1500m (3:59.38) at the Weltklasse Zurich. Anna had also won the women's 800m (1:58.80) at the Meeting Areva (July 17 in Paris, France).
American female middle distance has produced an unforgettable record of success during the summer of 2009, highlighted by Shannon Rowbury's bronze medal finish in the women's 1500m (4:04.18) at the IAAF World Championships on August 23 in Berlin, Germany. Earlier this summer at the Golden Gala (July 10 in Rome, Italy), Americans Maggie Vessey won the women's 800m (2:00.13) and Christin Wurth-Thomas placed second in the women's 1500m (3:59.98).
Also at the Memorial Van Damme, Dan Huling ran the fastest time by an American this year in the men's 3000m steeplechase, finishing fourth in 8:14.69.
Sanya Richards Wins a Share of Golden League Jackpot
With six wins each in the six 2009 Golden League series meets, Sanya Richards (400m), Yelena Isinbayeva (pole vault), and Kenesia Bekele (5000m) will each earned a third of the $1,000,000 Golden League jackpot. The three athletes recorded their final wins at the Memorial Van Damme on September 4 in Brussels, Belgium.Reigning world women's 400m champion Sanya Richards dominated her race, leading from start to finish, and crossed the line in a world leading 48.83 seconds, her second best effort ever. It also ties her with Valerie Brisco-Hooks for the second-best performance ever by an American. Sanya's nearest competitor in Brussels was reigning Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu, who finished 1.6 seconds behind in 50.43.
Sprints & Field Events
A two-time world champion and 2009 world silver medalist over 400m, Jeremy Wariner led from wire-to-wire to win (44.94) his Brussels race, finishing well ahead of his competition. Berlin bronze medalist Renny Quow of Trinidad was the runner-up, over a half second back, in 45.55.Twice the world bronze medalist, Carmelita Jeter continued to avenge by winning the women's 100m in 10.88. Reigning Olympic and world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser of Jamaica was second in 10.98, and Olympic and world silver medalist Kerron Stewart was third in 11.05.
Tyson Gay had a slow start out of the blocks in the men's 100m; he accelerated at the 50 meter mark to gain on former world-record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica, but it wasn't enough to win. Tyson Gay finished second in 10.00 to Powell's 9.90. Two-time Olympian Darvis Patton was third in 10.08 and 2009 USA Outdoor champion Mike Rodgers was fourth in 10.09.
2005 world silver medalist Chaunte Howard cleared 1.97 meters/6 feet 5.5 inches for second place in the women's high jump. She performed a little dance in the rain after finishing her final jump. Berlin silver medalist Chelsea Johnson tied for seventh in the women's pole vault with a best clearance of 4.40m/14-5.25.
Double world and Olympic champion (men's 100m & 200m) Usain Bolt of Jamaica continued his dominance by winning the men's 200m in 19.57. Bolt now has three of the four fastest times ever run over 200m. Three-time world medalist Wallace Spearmon of College Station, TX was the runner-up in 20.19.
For more information and complete results from the 2009 Memorial Van Damme, see www.iaaf.org.