14.09.2009

Lapierre defends title and pockets $35k in Thessaloniki

Australian Fabrice Lapierre is $35,000 richer after winning the men's long jump title at the World Athletics Final in Thessaloniki, Greece overnight.

Lapierre, the defending World Athletics Final champion, was languishing in sixth place some 40 centimetres behind American Dwight Phillips' third round leap of 8.24m until the fourth and final round, when he launched 8.33m to claim victory.

"On the last attempt I got myself hyped and pumped up and knew if I hit the board right I would get something big out there," said the 25-year-old, whose wind-aided jump was the third longest of his career.

The Texan-based jumper, who was fourth at the world championships in Berlin last month, leapt 7.59m on his first attempt whilst three-time world champion Phillips and African record-holder Godfrey Mokoena (RSA) were matching it jump-for-jump out in front with leaps of 8.13m and 8.14m in the first two rounds.

"I was really flat and didn't feel pumped up but after I jumped 7.84m (in the third round) I knew I had something big in me," said Lapierre, who won the same competition in Stuttgart last year with 8.14m.

Feeling homesick after a long European campaign, the former Texas A& M college representative headed to the US for some rest before returning to Europe a few days ago.

"I went to America after Gateshead. I just wanted to go back to my apartment. I went back there for a week and then came back here. I wanted to jump 8.40m today. I knew if I jumped that it would be good enough to win," Lapierre said.

On improving his bank balance by $35,000 Lapierre commented: "You try hard not to think about the money. I think about winning or jumping my best but it's a bonus for the hard work."

The win rounds out a stunning season for the New South Welshman that has seen him leap over 8.20m on at least five occasions and move to No.3 on the Australian all-time list with a leap of 8.35m in Madrid in early July. Wins at the Madrid and Athens Grands Prix cemented Lapierre's standing as a serious contender on the international circuit.

Australia's world titles golden girl Dani Samuels placed fifth in the women's discus behind world silver medallist Yarelis Barrios (Cuba).

The 21-year-old, whose personal best of 65.44m came in the Berlin final, threw 59.94m in the final round, her first competition below 60m this year.

"I was feeling better than I did last week (in Rieti). My warm-ups were good," Samuels said.

Following her win in Berlin the 21-year-old holidayed in Prague before returning to competition last week with a third place in Rieti. Her conquerors there, Barrios and Poland's Zaneta Glanc, again filled the first two positions in the season finale with Barrios' second round championship record of 65.86m sealing victory.

"Coming off becoming world champion is a major high. I had 10 days off to enjoy myself and have a mental break which is what I needed," said Samuels, whose triumph in Berlin gave her the rare distinction of winning world youth, junior and senior championships.

Olympic champion Stephanie Brown Trafton again struggled with sixth place, her throw of 59.66m ending a disappointing season.

In summing up her season, Australia's first winner of a global throws title beamed: "I peaked at the right time."

Over in another throwing ring, New Zealand's Olympic and world champion Valerie Vili shattered her personal best by 38 centimetres to throw 21.07m for an emphatic victory in the women's shot put.

"The title is awesome but 21 metres has been the biggest aim this year. My coach and I made some technical changes after world champs and it worked,"  said the elated Kiwi, who has not lost a shot put contest since placing second at this meet in September 2007.

Vili's third throw of 20.72m was also beyond her personal best of 20.69 set in Rio de Janeiro in May this year. Belorus' Nadzeya Ostapchuck was second with 19.56m, more than 1.5 metres behind the 120kg two-time world champion.

The world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, surprised no one by winning the men's 200m by more than half a second in 19.68 but was upstaged by American Carmelita Jeter, who ran 10.67 in the women's 100m to post the third fastest result of all time over the distance.

Only world record-holder Florence Griffith-Joyner and fellow American Marion Jones have ever run faster than 29-year-old Jeter, who smashed her former best by 17 hundredths of a second, set in the semi-finals of the world championships in Berlin where she eventually went on to finish third.

"I have worked so hard this year. My coach said I had it in me, I just needed to relax. I feel so blessed right now," said an elated Jeter.

It was a fantastic finale to a big year of track and field action where, thanks largely to Bolt, the sport has grown in stature throughout the world.

Pat Birgan in Thessaloniki