Great Jelimo and Cheruiyot at KBC Nacht. Good performances by Belgians
At the 3000m steeplechase Pieter Desmet has secured a ticket for the Berlin worlds in Berlin. Svetlana Bolshakova won the triple jump with 14.46m and Kevin Rans won the pole vault with 5.66m, a personal year best.
The wind was not a favourable factor for the KBC Nacht van de Atletiek (Night of the Athletics), which was organised in otherwise perfect conditions. Damien Broothaers immediately set the tone for the Belgians by winning the 110m hurdles in 13.62, only 3/100 away from his ticket to the Worlds.
The Belgians were very successful in the sprint events: former Russian Svetlana Bolshakova made her debut for her new country (she is married to Stijn Stroobants) and won her first top level event with 14.46m, a Belgian record would it not have been for the slightly too favourable wind. Bolshakova could become one of Belgium's aces in Berlin.
Kevin Rans' confidence is growing by the day. After winning the Liege meeting on Wednesday he dominated the pole vault today as well. His 5.66m are a year best and he only just missed out on the national record of 5.71m. Tia Hellebaut clearly has quite a following: Hanne Vanhessche surprised with a third place and a personal best at 1.87m.
Pieter Desmet was the best Belgian long distance runner. He qualified for the worlds by coming in fourth in the 3000m steeplechase in 8.23.81. Krijn Van Koolwijk did not manage to meet the limits for the WC. At the 1500m Kristof Van Malderen pulverised his personal best by putting in 3.39.10 and a Belgian year best.
Elodie Ouedraogo managed a nice comeback at the 400m hurdles, but she still has to work hard. Eline Berings and Elisabeth Davin confirmed at the 100m hurdles, although both of them count on the next few weeks to add some more speed before racing in Berlin.
Despite the powerful performances by the Belgians, the victory that has most international appeal was the one by Pamela Jelimo at the 800m. The Kenyan Olympic champion sprinted towards a 1.59.59 victory.
The women's 3000m steeplechase was of a high level as well. In an exciting race the Maroccan Hanane Ouhaddou won with a national record. The Kenyan Jonas Cheruiyot on the other hand was the fastest at the end of the 5000m. His time of 13.07.47 is world class. The 20.69m shot put by Andrei Mikhnevich could tempt the amateurs of the event as well.
The major winner of the night might be the audience who had come in large numbers and supported the athletes wonderfully. Many thanks to the spectators and we meet again at the 31st KBC Nacht van de Atletiek in 2010!
The Belgians were very successful in the sprint events: former Russian Svetlana Bolshakova made her debut for her new country (she is married to Stijn Stroobants) and won her first top level event with 14.46m, a Belgian record would it not have been for the slightly too favourable wind. Bolshakova could become one of Belgium's aces in Berlin.
Kevin Rans' confidence is growing by the day. After winning the Liege meeting on Wednesday he dominated the pole vault today as well. His 5.66m are a year best and he only just missed out on the national record of 5.71m. Tia Hellebaut clearly has quite a following: Hanne Vanhessche surprised with a third place and a personal best at 1.87m.
Pieter Desmet was the best Belgian long distance runner. He qualified for the worlds by coming in fourth in the 3000m steeplechase in 8.23.81. Krijn Van Koolwijk did not manage to meet the limits for the WC. At the 1500m Kristof Van Malderen pulverised his personal best by putting in 3.39.10 and a Belgian year best.
Elodie Ouedraogo managed a nice comeback at the 400m hurdles, but she still has to work hard. Eline Berings and Elisabeth Davin confirmed at the 100m hurdles, although both of them count on the next few weeks to add some more speed before racing in Berlin.
Despite the powerful performances by the Belgians, the victory that has most international appeal was the one by Pamela Jelimo at the 800m. The Kenyan Olympic champion sprinted towards a 1.59.59 victory.
The women's 3000m steeplechase was of a high level as well. In an exciting race the Maroccan Hanane Ouhaddou won with a national record. The Kenyan Jonas Cheruiyot on the other hand was the fastest at the end of the 5000m. His time of 13.07.47 is world class. The 20.69m shot put by Andrei Mikhnevich could tempt the amateurs of the event as well.
The major winner of the night might be the audience who had come in large numbers and supported the athletes wonderfully. Many thanks to the spectators and we meet again at the 31st KBC Nacht van de Atletiek in 2010!
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| 08-07-2009 | Pamela Jelimo headliner of KBC Night |
