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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, May 29, 2006

Clay wins Hypo Meeting decathlon

Advertiser News Services

Bryan Clay cleared 5 meters in the pole vault to finish tied for second in the event at the Hypo Meeting in Goetzis, Austria.

KERSTIN JOENSSON | Associated Press

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VIENNA, Austria — American Bryan Clay won the decathlon at the Hypo Meeting yesterday, dominating the event after world record holder Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic withdrew with muscle trouble.

Clay, a Castle High graduate, had 8,677 points, best in the world this year. Dmitriy Karpov of Kazakhstan was second with 8,293 points, and Maurice Smith of Jamaica finished third with 8,269. Sebrle withdrew Saturday after three events.

Clay had the victory before the final event, the 1,500 meters. He jogged across the finish line in 5 minutes, 13.47 seconds.

"I was very close to breaking the world record (of 9,026 points set by Sebrle) before the 1,500 meters," Clay was quoted as saying on the International Athletics Federations Web site. "If I put some training in the final event I can improve the record. I set the plan with my coach to break the record at the World Championships in Osaka (in August of 2007). If the record comes earlier, it's OK, but my big goal is Osaka."

GATLIN, POWELL WIN

Justin Gatlin overcame chilly, damp conditions to win his 100-meter race in 9.88 seconds, tying the meet and Hayward Field record yesterday at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore.

Jamaican Asafa Powell, who shares the world record of 9.77 with Gatlin, won a separate 100 race in a wind-aided 9.93.

The times were impressive considering the conditions, 61 degrees on a track soaked by earlier rain.

Gatlin — the reigning Olympic and world 100 champion — got off to his usual average start, then shot away from the competition for victory about halfway down the track in the first of the two 100s.

The two ran in separate races because Gatlin didn't want to go against Powell so quickly after his world record run in Doha, Qatar, on May 12.

JONES WINS 100 METERS

Marion Jones easily won the 100 meters at the FBK Games yesterday in Hengelo, Netherlands, finishing in 11.16 seconds.

Jones started slow, but hit her stride in the middle of the race and pulled away from the rest of the field.

Emma Ania of Britain was second in 11.59, followed by Angela Williams of the United States in 11.60.

The Associated Press and Web site iaaf.org contributed to this report.