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Thursday, 30 August 2007, 13:34 GMT 14:34 UK

Gay sprints to second Worlds gold

Tyson Gay (centre) left Usain Bolt (right) and Wallace Spearmon trailing to win 200m gold American Tyson Gay stormed to gold in the 200m on Thursday to clinch a sprint double at the World Championships after his earlier success in the 100m.

Gay clocked 19.76 seconds to break Michael Johnson's record at the event.

Usain Bolt tried to eat into Gay's lead in the finishing straight but failed to do so as he finished second with 19.91 and Wallace Spearmon was third (20.05).

"It was extremely hard," said Gay. "Usain Bolt gave me a tough run but I held on for a tough victory."

Gay equalled the feat his "idol" Maurice Greene achieved in 1999.

In an exciting finish to the day, the long jump gold went to Irving Saladino, who claimed Panama's first gold at the event with his final leap.

606: DEBATE

Saladino had seen Italy's European champion Andrew Howe move into first with his final jump of eight metres 47 centimetres.

He responded with 8m 57cm to extend his winning streak to 16 competitions and his 23rd victory in his last 25.

Earlier on Thursday, Australian Jana Rawlinson claimed gold in the 400m hurdles.

The 24-year-old, coached by husband and former British 400m hurdler Chris Rawlinson, regained the title she won in 2003 after clocking 53.31 seconds.

Australian Jana Rawlinson

She held off the challenge of Russia's reigning champion and world record holder Yuliya Pechonkina (53.50) and Anna Jesien (53.92) to take goal.

Great Britain's Natasha Danvers-Smith was eighth with a time off 54.94.

"I went for it, but nobody likes to finish last," said Danvers-Smith.

"I ran 54.9 and I can't be upset about that, even if that had been in the semi-final it would have been the fastest time I have done all year.

"So to put together three good runs in four days makes me happy because I have been through a lot over the last few months."

Rawlinson gave birth last December and returned in her first major championships to deny Russian Pechonkina an unprecedented second straight title in the event.

"Tonight's victory is sensational," said Rawlinson. "It has only been eight months since the birth of my son. I've only been in training three or four months.

"It's been a rocky road but if we can climb this mountain, this early, then anything is possible."

Great Britain's Mo Farah booked a place in the 5,000m after finishing sixth in the semi-final.

"The conditions were a lot of hard work because it was very hot," said Farah. "I've qualified so I'm happy with that."

Britain's Michael Rimmer produced a mature run in the 800m to reach the semi-finals on Friday and says he is in shape to produce a personal best to reach the final.

Elsewhere, German Betty Heidler won a surprise gold in the women's hammer.




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Related to this story:

World Champs day six as it happened (30 Aug 07 |  Athletics )
World Athletics day six photos (30 Aug 07 |  Athletics )
Ohuruogu claims gold for Britain (29 Aug 07 |  Athletics )
GB team for 2007 World Championships (01 Aug 07 |  Athletics )

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