Defar, Liu, Stuczynski take World Indoor medals
VALENCIA, Spain (March 10, 2008) – Meseret Defar of Ethiopia and Liu Xiang of China both scored convincing victories at the IAAF World Indoor Championships this weekend, taking home gold medals at 3000 meters and the 60-meter hurdles, respectively. Bringing home her first medal at a major international competition was American Jenn Stuczynski, whose silver medal in the pole vault proved that she is a top contender for the medal stand in Beijing, less than four years after picking up a pole for the first time.
Indeed, the 26-year-old from Churchville, NY, jumped the same height as Olympic gold medalist and World Record-holder Yelena Isinbayeva (15 feet, 7 inches) in an indoor personal best, but the Russian had fewer misses. Stuczynski, the American Record-holder outdoors at 16 feet, is a three-time US Champion indoors and two-time champion outdoors.
In the women’s 3000 meters, it was Defar’s third consecutive world indoor title, and she controlled the race throughout before blasting away from the field at the bell to win in 8:38.79. “That was a nice race for me, because it was easy,” said the World Record-holder (8:23.72), who wore a white wristband during the race in support of Ethiopian children.
Competing for the first time indoors this season, Liu earned his first World Indoor title in 7.46 seconds, rounding out an indoor collection after a silver (2004) and bronze (2003). “It is something like a surprise to me to be a champion here,” said Liu, who came in viewing the competition as part of his training toward the outdoor season and his eventual starring role as China hosts the 2008 Olympics this summer. Liu is already the World Record-holder as well as reigning Olympic gold medalist and World Champion.
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