Osaka 2007 Day 8 - The last day of these magnificent World Athletic Championships was kicked off with the Women's marathon. Yet again this event, as was the Men's Marathon, run in stiffling heat. I shall not comment too much about the folly of this in Day 9's sum up but will dedicate an article to this at a later stage.
The Women's marathon saw Kenya 's Catherine 'The Great' Ndereba, underline why she is called Catherine The Great. In winning in Osaka Ndereba made solid the consideration that she is the World's most succesful women's marathoner, when taking the Gold at this Championship. Her credentials for such a title are justified and when considering that she became the eldest women to win a major championship marathon title at 35 years, you can further admire the spirit of Ndereba. A majestic Champion and yet another wonderful ambassador to the sport.
Japan was relieved to win their first individual medal of the Championship while the women added a Bronze to the Gold acquired from the Men's Team Title.
There was an evening of great racing with 3 middle to distance titles being decided on the night. The Men's 5000, saw the USA 's Bernard Lagat do an amazing double when he outsprinted former Kenyan neighbour, Eluid Kipchoge, to add this title to 1500m Gold of Wedenesday - Day 5 . Also of note was how desparately close American compatriot Matt Tegenkamp came to grabbing Bronze.
The Men's 800m was a major disappointment for me watching South Africa 's Mbulaeni Mulaudzi fade out of the reckoning over the final 100m. But then also a great success in seeing Canada 's Gary Reed win the silver. Reed has now shown to have the big match temperament and goes to the 2008 Olympic's with a distinct chance of a medal there. Incredibly for Kenya's Alfred Yego, this race was his first win of the year and what a win it proved to be.
The Women's 1500m title win by Bahrain's Maryam Yusuf Jamal was splendid to witness and in the process the athlete has now dispelled any doubts of her ability to win a title at a major championship.
The USA took both relay titles on the night, thus winning all the relay Golds at these Championships.
It was dazzling to see Allyson Felix storm through in her 400m leg and we can certainly look forward to her venture over this distance.
Croatia's Blanka Vlašic lived up to the expectations in taking the High Jump title and in doing so underlined that she is undoubtedly the real deal in this event. A World Record awaits her.
Then in closing, Finland's Tero Pitkämäki captured the Men's Javelin Gold to place his career on the right track after his disappointment of the Helsinki Worlds. For the Suomi people, it was their first and most important medal of the Championship.
For our Athlete of the Day we shall name 2 stars, Catherine Ndereba for her dazzling marathon display and Bernard Lagat for the glorious double he achieved, becoming only the 3rd person in history to achieve this and the first at a World Championship.
That wrapped up Day 9 and the final day of these magnificent Championships.
There shall be a further and final sum up of the whole Championship to follow
Till then, take care
TheEd.
