K. Borlee 44.74 at 400m in Madrid

MADRID (ESP) - The 39th Meeting de Madrid (IAAF World Challenge) in a good weather and before solid crowd had as highlight the European leading, personal best and third fastest in the world 44.74 by European Champion Kevin Borlee of Belgium in the 400 m. Second Cuban William Collazo missed with 44.95 his best by only 0.02 and third Rabah Yusif of Sudan 45.32. Even faster in B-race was Nery Brenes of Costarica with 45.29.

  In the men´s 800 m US Tyler Mulder (4th at the trials) surprised 2004 olympic winner Yuriy Borzakovskiy with 1:45.10 over 1:45.57. Third Manuel Olmedo improved to 1:45.67. Great Spanish wins for Sergio Sanchez in the 3000 m (7:49.45 ahead of Kenyan Yusuf Biwott 7:49.80) and Nuria Fernandez in the 1500 m (4:06.00 ahead of Russian Yekaterina Martynova 4:06.27 and Ethiopian World junior champion 2010 Tizita Bogale 4:06.47). 12 runners dipped sub 4:10.

In the expected 100 m duel Justin Gatlin won in 10.10 against strong head-wind -1.6. Dwain Chambers in 10.13 second ahead of US Travis Padgett 10.18. Close in head-wind (-1.8) also high hurdles dominated by US runners (Akins 13.45, J. Brown 13.49, Porter 13.53, Wilson 13.53). World indoor champion 2008 Russian Yevgeniy Lukyanenko is back to top heights in pole vault with 572 clearance and tried at 580 cm.

Cuban Jorge Fernandez won the discus 63.81. In the hammer throw (part of IAAF HT Challenge) Italian Euro medalist Nicola Vizzoni won with meet record 78.82 ahead of improved Pawel Fajdek of Poland 78.13 and world champion Primoz Kozmus 77.06. Jamaican Schillone Calvert posted fast 11.23 against -2.3 wind beating Barbara Pierre 11.28.

Cuban living in Italy Yusneysi Santiusti won the 800 m in 1:59.79 ahead of US Alice Schmidt 2:00.60. NCAA Champion Nia Ali debuted in Europe impressive in the 100 m hurdles with fast 12.83 against -2.5 wind.

Spanish record holder Ruth Beitia won the high jump over Venelina Veneva of Bulgaria and Airine Palsyte from Lithuania, all cleared 192 cm. Latvian javelin win for Madara Palameika 60.88.