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MELBOURNE- Achraf Tadili of Montreal won the silver medal in the men’s 800-metre and Jason Tunks of London, Ont., and Dariusz Slowik of Kamloops, B.C., were second and third respectively in the men’s discus in track and field action Thursday at the Commonwealth Games.
Canada doubled its medal count in track and field to six (one gold, four silver and one bronze) after five days of competition.
In the men’s 800, Tadili ruined Kenya’s plans for a medal sweep clocking 1:46.93 in what he described as his best performance since winning gold in a Canadian record time at the 2003 Pan Am Games. Alex Kipchirchir of Kenya won the gold medal in 1:45.88 and his compatriot John Litei Nkamasiai was third in 1:46.98. A third Kenyan Cosmas Rono was seventh.
‘’It’s early in the season and I made a late decision to come to these Games,’’ said Tadili. ‘’So just to get the final and then get a medal is beyond expectations. I had a super race today. I know from experience that when you have three Kenyans in a final their going to work together and try to get the sweep.’’
Tadili stuck to his strategy for the race and was leading with just over 100 metres to go.
‘’I wanted to get a fast start. I felt great and got the lead at the halfway point until about 710 metres. Then I felt Alex catching up but I increased my pace as well and kept second spot. I’m telling you it’s not easy against these guys.’’
In the men’s discus final, Scott Martin of Australia earned his best distance on sixth and final throw at 63.48 metres to win the gold medal. Tunks, who was battling a nasty virus, was in the gold medal position almost until the end and took silver at 63.07 which he achieved on his opening launch. Slowik took third at 61.49, earned on his fifth throw.
‘’I wasn’t happy at all with my showing today,’’ said Tunks, eighth at the world championships last year and also the runner up at the 2002 Manchester Games. ‘’I don’t like to make excuses but I just wasn’t feeling right all week and it affected my preparation.’’
Tunks fouled out on four of his six throws.
‘’I was feeling all off balance today but after my first throw stood for so long I was starting to think it might be enough.’’
In the women’s high jump final, Nicole Forrester of Aurora, Ont., placed 13th.
In the women’s 800 semi-finals, Diane Cummins of Victoria was second in her heat and sixth overall in 2:01.58 to advance to Friday’s final while Aimee Teteris of Vancouver was seventh in her heat for 13th overall and eliminated.
In women’s pole vault, Dana Ellis of Kitchener, Ont., Stephanie McCann of Surrey, B.C., and Kelsie Hendry of Saskatoon all cleared 4.00 metres to qualify for the final.
In women’s 100 hurdles, Angela Whyte of Edmonton finished second in her heat and second overall clocking 12.80 to advance to Friday’s final.
Also in action Friday in finals for Canada are Tim Berrett of Edmonton in the 50 kilometre walk; James Steacy of Lethbridge, Alta., and Derek Woodske of Canal Flats, B.C., in men’s hammer throw; Chantal Petitclerc of Montreal, Diane Roy of Sherbrooke, Que., and Tracey Ferguson of Toronto in the women’s 800-metre wheelchair race; Matthew Kerr of Elora, Ont., in the men’s 3,000 steeplechase and Courtney Babcock of Chatham, Ont., in the women’s 5,000.
Qualifying events are the men’s 4X100 relay; Kevin Sullivan of Brantford, Ont., and Nathan Brannen of Cambridge, Ont., in the men’s 1,500.
source Athletics Canada
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