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Major Stories at the IAAF Championship 2011

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:57:04 +0000

IAAF Championship 2011

It is time for all athletes to meet up again and represent their country at the IAAF Championship. IAAF Championship is held every 2 years to showcase the world’s best athletes. Apart from the Olympics this is the largest athletic event in the world. IAAF Championship started in 1983 at Helsinki, Finland with 41 events and 1500 participants. This year there are 47 events and 1945 participants at the host city Daegu which will be held between 27 August to 4 September for 9 days. Daegu the fourth largest city in Korea has previously hosted three world cup football matches in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Daegu’s climate is appropriate for this event and its experience and magnificent scenery will enhance the event furthermore. USA is the current leader in gold medals with 9, while Russia and Kenya are 2nd and 3rd with 6 and 5 gold medals. The total medal tally difference between USA and Russia is only 1.

100m Men Final – Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt, the name that everyone is familiar with ever since the previous Olympics. The current world record holder in 100m was all set to stun the crowd again at the IAAF Championship. After sailing through all rounds Jamaica’s Usain Bolt managed to reach the finals. At the final round however history did not repeat itself as Usain Bolt was disqualified due to false start. Usain Bolt was no doubt furious at himself, as this opportunity to showcase his talent to the world will not come again anytime soon. His compatriot Yohan Blake eventually won the gold medal, with USA’s Walter Dix silver medal and St Kitts and Nevis’s Kim Collins the bronze medal.

800m Women Semi-Final – Caster Semenya

Caster Semenya has been in controversies lately regarding her gender row. Caster Semenya was previously suspended after winning in 2009. She has had nothing to say to press so far but she did win the semi-final 800m event. No doubt all eyes will be on her during the 800m final event which is to be held on the last day 4th September. The 20 year old South African is definitely going through allot of speculations but she is receiving support from South Africans, especially from Nelson Mandela’s wife and national congress MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Mariya Savinova from Russia, and the favorite at the 800m women’s event, is also supporting Caster. Mariya also believes Caster has been holding back and is waiting for the finals to showcase her maximum potential.

Men 4x400m Relay – Oscar Pistorius

Definitely one of the greatest stories in athletics has been Oscar Pistorius. The man from South Africa with no legs has motivated everyone around the world. His ability to compete against other athletes has astounded the world. Oscar Pistorius helped his team reach the finals, but in the final event he was dropped out. The amputee said that he was happy to see his compatriots win the medal but at the same time felt like he should be there too. Oscar, who is nicknamed the blade runner, was not eligible for previous Olympics. Oscar will always be in controversy due to his artificial limbs, and whether in future he will be allowed to participate fully or not will remains to be seen.

IAAF Championship at Daegu

admin — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 16:02:09 +0000

IAAF Championship at Daegu

The IAAF Championship in Athletics is currently being held in Daegu, Korea. A series of athletic events that started on 27 August will go on for 9 days till its closing date on 4 September. The on-going world athletics event gives the best athletes around the world an opportunity to showcase their talent and represent their country. The IAAF was held every 4 years until 1991, after which it was held for every 2 years. Last time the 2009 IAAF Championship was held in Berlin. The first ever IAAF Championship was held in Helsinki, Finland in 1983

Events and Participants

This year at Daegu, there are 47 athletic events and nearly 2000 participants. The first ever IAAF Championship had 41 events and nearly 1500 participants. Apart from the Olympics this is another major opportunity when athletes from different countries get to meet and compete. This major athletic event also gives the viewers entertainment, especially to those who have to eagerly wait for the Olympics which are held every 4 years.

Daegu

Daegu which is the fourth largest city in Korea may be a perfect place to hold this event. The climate of Daegu is suitable for holding athletic events as the temperature during August and September is 25 degrees Celsius (75 Fahrenheit). Daegu is also the first city to host the IAAF Championship in Asia, and the fourth city to host it outside Europe. Daegu has previously hosted 3 matches in 2002 FIFA World Cup, hence making it experienced in hosting major sports event. No doubt both the athletes and viewers will be happy with what Daegu has to offer.

Medal Tally

USA holds the current record for net medals won and gold medals won in IAAF Championship. Russia is second while Germany is third. USA has total of 120 gold medals and is far ahead of the second position holder Russia with 37 gold medals. This year at Daegu USA is also in the lead with 9 gold medals, Russia second with 6 gold medals and Kenya third with 5 gold medals (as of 2nd September). The difference between the total gold medals at Daegu is only 1 between USA and Russia.

Major Events

A series of indoor and outdoor events are being held at IAAF Championship every day, making each day exciting and memorable. The indoor events are being held in the extravagant stadium of Daegu which is simply called as “Daegu Stadium”. Currently no major record has been broken regarding any event; however history is still being made as many sportsman and sportswoman have waited for this moment all their lives. The first event was the women’s marathon on 27th August while the last event will be men’s 4×100 meter relay. Some of the most popular events in IAAF are the 100m, 400m, Long Jump, High Jump, Javelin Throw, Marathon, Relay Races.

100m Event

Arguably the most popular athletic event the 100m always catches the viewers’ attention. This time all eyes were on Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, the world record holder. His performance during the previous Olympics stunned the crowd as he broke the record and convincingly won the gold medal. However, this time Usain Bolt after reaching the final round was disqualified due to a false start. The gold medal then went to Yohan Blake, a fellow compatriot of Usain Bolt.

This IAAF Championship has turned out to be magnificent mainly due to Daegu, which has done its best to please the athletes and crowds. This event every 2 years brings people together to celebrate and enjoy excellence in sports.

Getting Ready to Race

admin — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 09:01:55 +0000

Getting Ready to Race

Worried about what to wear, what you need to take, whether you will get lost and what to do at the start and finish? The key to a successful and enjoyable race day lies in the planning and preparation. Your training programme should have taken care of your running fitness, so relax and enjoy the experience of participating in an event.

Taking the panic out of race day

Before the day: Enter and pay in advance. You will be sent a race number or told how to collect it on the day. If the race is early in the morning and far from home, consider booking accommodation for the night before.

One day to go: Pack your kit bag. Don’t forget to include your race number and some safety pins to attach it to your vest or T-shirt. Take spare clean clothes and shoes to wear after the race and a post-race snack. Make sure you have read any race-day information. Find out about the course/route and where to park your car, and double check the start time.

The big day: Eat a light breakfast – some cereal, a bagel or some toast two to three hours before the event usually works best, kick-starting your metabolism and supplying your body with energy. Drink water, juice or an energy drink in the hours before the event.

To the start line

Arrive at the venue an hour or two before the start. Generally speaking, the more runners in an event, the earlier you need to arrive in order to have plenty of time for pre-race preparation, including possibly collecting a race number or timing chip. Arrange a secure place to leave valuables and find out where the toilets and the start line are. Allow sufficient time for your warm-up, which should be the last thing you do before you jog to the start line. Get to the start area at least 15 minutes early and to the start line at least 5 minutes before the event is due to begin. For bigger races with more entrants, you will need to arrive at the start line up to 30 minutes before the race begins. If you have gone to the event with family or friends, fix a place and time for everyone to meet up after the event.

The start

This may look like a mass bundle of runners jostling, barging and all charging off at the sound of the gun, but actually the start is always well organized. The key is to find a location in the starting area that is suitable for your ability and experience. The speedier runners typically line up at the front of the field. Some events have predicted finish-time start areas to help you identify the right place. Otherwise, look around and you will soon spot other women who look your sort of level.

Finding your pace

Once the start signal goes, everybody will begin to move forwards. Try to settle into your own pace. In mass-participation races it can take a while to cross the start line – up to 20 minutes in major city marathons. If you are aiming for a particular time, stick to your pre-race plan and time splits – perhaps write them on your hand. It is tempting to start off too fast, but try to hold back and establish your own breathing and stride patterns and running rhythm. If things don’t going to plan, don’t panic: reassess the situation as you go and have a back-up strategy to get you to the finish line.

Your race-day kit

Race entry details and map

Running shoes and a change of footwear for afterwards

Racing kit: could include shorts, leggings, crop top, T-shirt, vest, sports bra, running tights, socks

Hair scrunchie

Race number and safety pins

Timing chip (if applicable)

After-race kit: warm top and bottoms, change of socks and underwear

Toilet paper and wet wipes

Deodorant

Towel

Emergency tampon

Sunscreen

Plastic bag for used race kit

Post-race snack: banana, fruit bar

Energy drink and recovery drink for before and after the race

Top training tip

Develop a pre-race routine. Doing the same things in roughly the same way and same order before you race will help you remember everything and keep you relaxed and focused.

After the event

Relax, you have done it! Celebrate your achievement and enjoy the moment of your success. Meet up with your friends and family, and bask in your glory. When you prepare for a race, planning seems to stop at the finish line, but there are still a few things to consider afterwards. A cool-down is always a good idea; even if you are tired, you will benefit from a few minutes of very light jogging, walking and some stretching. This will help reduce the risk of muscle soreness over the next day or two.

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Awesome Bolt blitzes 200m world record

Lovely — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:11:41 +0000

Jamaican sprinter the superman, Usain Bolt claimed yet another world record as he win the 200m final at the World Championships in Berlin. The Jamaican, who just four days earlier grabbed 100m gold in an astonishing 9.58, demolished his previous world 200m best of 19.30 set in Beijing exactly a year ago. He became the first man in history to hold two Olympic and two world titles at the same time.

After the race Bolt said, “I can definitely say I didn’t expect that because I was a little bit tired. I said let’s try because people are really looking out for this, I said it won’t hurt to try. So I tried really hard and now I’m really tired. Maybe next time I should just run the 200m or the 100m alone. My form was going backwards. I wasn’t running upright. It wasn’t a good race but it was a fast one.”

Bolt, who completed his 200m win a day before his 23rd birthday, said “after that race I don’t think I will be able to walk for a day. I’m going to spend my birthday having a long sleep.” He set three world records when winning his Olympic golds in Beijing last year and his world record bearking World Championships in Berlin have enhanced his reputation as the best sprinter of all time.

“I keep telling you guys my aim is to become a legend,” he added. “I don’t think about records. I don’t put myself under pressure. I know what to do and I go and execute. I did well for myself and I am on my way to becoming a legend so I am just happy.”

The silver medallist and bronze medallisst are Alonso Edward of Paman who finished in 19.81, and Wallace Spearmon of the United States took bronze with 19.85. Edward, who came into this year World Championships with a 20.62 personal best time, registered a South American Area record of 19.81 in second place and at 19 years old became the youngest ever World medallist in the men’s 200m. His time is also a world age-19 best, breaking the 19.88 set by Bolt in 2006. And anyone who breaks one of Bolt’s records is certainly set for a bright future.
Spearmon won his second successive World 200m bronze with a time of 19.85 – his third best ever clocking – while Crawford tightened up on the line with a time of 19.89. It was the first time in history that four men had dipped under 19.90 in the same race and also the first time in which five men had broken 20 seconds.

Dinkasa and Mayer win Obudu Mountain Challenge

Lovely — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:49:03 +0000

A total of $227,000 was offer yesterday at the 4th Obudu International Mountain race at Obudu Ranch Resort in Obudu, Cross River state, Nigeria.The Obudu International Mountain race is the worlds richest mountain race, The 4th edition winner enmerger at the race with a new record. The winner of this year race Abebedi Dinkasa of Ethiopia set a new record as he won the men’s event of the Obudu international mountain race in Obudu.

Abebedi Dinkasa finished the 11- kilometer race in 41 minutes 5 seconds to erase the old time of 42 minutes 2 minutes., but the new record is still subject to ratification. The winner of the woman’s race is Andrea Mayer of Austria, got $50,000 for beating the very strong woman’s field. The woman’s race started 15 minutes before the men’s.

Dinkasa, who also won $50,000 for his effort, beat Uganda’s Geoffrey Kusoro to second place, while Awas Hablamu, also of Ethiopia, came third. Angelina Mutuku finished second in the women’s race, while Rehima Kadir of Ethiopia came third in the women. The second and third prizes for the men and women in the race is $20,000 and $9,000 respectively.

A private in the Nigerian Army, Stephen Jube, who is from Kaduna, finished 15th overall among the men, but he was the first Nigerian at the finish line. He won $2,000. Danjuma Gyang of Plateau State was the second Nigerian, while Janet Dung, also from Plateau, was the first Nigerian woman to cross the line. Dung also won $2,000, leaving Ladi Jach of Plateau as the second Nigerian woman as Genevieve Njoku of Imo came third.

An excited Dinkasa said he was very happy to win the race, especially with so many top athletes in attendance. “It wasn’t easy but it winning makes it worth all the effort. It was a very tough race and I’m proud that an African won. I’ll use the money to take care of my family and enhance my training,” he said.

Mayer said second-placed Mutuku pushed her very hard and she was relieved to win the race and the appreciable prize money. The Nigerians promised to work harder so that they would beat the rest of the world next year.

“The prize money structure for this 4th edition have been extend to the ninth and the 10th placed finishers in both categories (Men and weoman).In the past three editions only the best eight finishers were entitled to a share in the prize money but beginning from this year, His Excellency,Senator Liyel Imoke, the executive governor of Cross River state has graciuosly approved the extension of the prize money to the ninth and 10th placed finishers in line with his charge that we should make this year’s race the best ever in the history of the race”, reveals bt the William Archi-bong, chairman of the Local Organising Committee. There are also prizes for the top three Nigerian finishers and the top three finishers in the media race.

“We have set aside a total of $18,000 for the top three Nigerian finishers and the top three journalists in the media race.The winners in both categories will win $2,000 while the second and the third will go home with $1,500 and $1,000 respectively”.

The Obudu International Mountain race is a mountain race of 11.25km with a 810m of ascent, up to a height of 1600m above sea level.

Obudu Cattle Ranch Resort is one of the finest tourist destinations in the world. Situated deep in the tropical and mountainous rainforest of Northern Cross River State; Obudu Cattle Ranch is noted for its beautiful and enchanting landscape that evokes pleasure and vista.

Obudu Cattle Ranch Resort is equipped with modern facilities such as an airstrip, international hotels, a golf course, wildlife and a water park. It is also equipped with a Cable Car as well as Canopy Walkway. The Cable Car ride presents a more picturesque view of the Ranch. It is a lasting experience in every visitor’s mind.

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World number one Bolt is lover of Premier League and Man.U supporter

kamdosu — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:24:12 +0000

The fastest man in the world, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, is a lover of Premier League and a football player, who have not make to any league, he also player cricket when he was younger. “I was good at cricket when I was younger,” he explains of the sport many consider Jamaica‘s main interest. “I was a fast bowler. I played football as well. I still do, usually in defence. I used to play on the streets, but I‘m not as good (at football) as I am at running.” He enjoyed kicking and throwing balls, running was his destiny. Fastest on the football field at William Knibb Memorial High School, he was encouraged to sprint by those who saw his potential as an athlete. At first, he was reluctant. He wasn’t a fan of running, but after encouragement from his family – Bolt says his parents are his role models – and school teachers, before he started developing interest in running.

Bolt is a Manchester United supporter and he also follow Real Madrid – every Jamaican kid is a fan of two clubs – who he supports because of ex-Red Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was his first United hero. Usain played football but never made it, yet he remains deeply passionate about the game. And while he admits that his most exciting moments in Beijing were meeting Argentina‘s Lionel Messi and Brazil‘s Ronaldinho in the Olympic village, his true heroes can be found at Old Trafford.

With the love he have for Premier League Usain says, “I would swap a gold medal for the chance to be a ‘star player‘ in the Premier League,” he continues, “Everyone in Jamaica likes to watch football and I love the way United plays, especially upfront.” For a man so quick and entertaining, it‘s no surprise United‘s swagger and attacking verve appeal to him. “I have been a supporter since I was very young. Ruud was my favourite United player. He is a natural goalscorer – always in the right place at the right time. Ryan Giggs has been a legend for the club, too. He is very exciting on the ball and running at defenders, but he‘s also adapted his game over the years. Now, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo are United‘s big heroes.”

Bolt have the opportunity to watch he favorite team Manchester United live this winter, if he honour the
invitation from one of Manchester United stars. “Rio (Ferdinand) has invited me to be his guest at a game, and I am really looking forward to it,” he explains. “I’m also hoping to meet Ruud, and maybe even train with his Real Madrid teammates. As the Manchester United season gathers momentum, The fastest man on earth too begins training ahead of the new track and field season.