|
|
 |
2003 saw the World Championships in Paris
as the 'premiere' event of the season. This event in itself
produced a massive shock when the much unheralded Saïd-Guerni
Djabir of Algeria, blasted past Yuriy Borzakovskiy, the highly
fancied Russian, to take top spot. Mbulaeni Mulaudzi of South
Africa grabbed 3rd ahead of the World Record Holder, Wilson
Kipketer of Denmark.
Wilfred Bungei of Kenya, went on to post
the fastest time for the year and was World Leader throughout
the year, posting 1:42.52 towards the end of the season. Unfotunately,
the Kenyan was unable to attend the Paris 800m due to illness.
On the Women's side, Maria de Lourdes
Mutola of Mozambique, had a most successful season, remaining
unbeaten to claim the Golden League Jackpot, as well as taking
the World title in Paris at a canter.
Jolande Ceplak the form athlete of 2002,
was not in the same condition as the year before and with
Stephane Graf struggling to return to form after an operation
to remove a cyst, there was no real competition for Mutola
throughout the season.
Coming into 2004 Graf retired and one
can only hope that a new challenger to Mutola can emerge.
Below the Top 20 Men for 2003 and the
Top 10 Women
|
|
|
