The World Athletics Championships in Finland featured five medal events Monday. A rain soaked track did not dampen the competition.
Ivan Tikhon of Bulgaria recorded a championship record toss of 83.89 meters to win the men's hammer throw. Men's 10000-meter favorite Kenensia Bekele picked up another gold medal for Ethiopia after circling the wet track in 27 minutes, 8.33 seconds.
Kajsa Bergqvist of Sweden soared with a graceful arching bend to win the women's high jump title with the bar set at two meters, two centimeters. Her victory was an amazing comeback from injury last year.
"I have been close so many times," she says. "I have two bronze medals, and a fourth place, and a fifth place. I have been dreaming about getting this gold medal for so long."
The women's three-thousand meter steeplechase captured much attention because it was held for the first time at the World Championships. Docas Inzikuru of Uganda ran and jumped to a winning time of nine minutes, 18.24 seconds. She started at under world record pace before settling into her winning stride.
"I do not know how to run behind," she says. "So that is the most important thing which I know I might do. After maybe two or three laps in there you can relax. So it is not only for me alone. But it is mostly for all the runners."
In the final event of the day, Lauryn Williams of the United States shot across a wet track during a brief downpour to clock 10.93 seconds and claim the women's 100-meter sprint gold.
"What made a difference today was that it was a perfect race for me," she says. "I had a good start and a good finish. For the majority of the races this year I have either had one or the other. I did both today. And I think that is what got me to the finish line first."
Veronica Campbell of Jamaica (10.95) and Christine Aaron of France (10.98) splashed across the line to win the silver and bronze respectively.
After three days, the United States leads the medal standings with three golds and one silver. Ethiopia follows with two gold, two silver and a bronze, while Sweden has two golds and a bronze.
