The Commonwealth Games in Melbourne were the main source of changes in the latest release of the IAAF World Rankings. Some world leading times allowed athletes to climb through the Event Rankings into strong positions ahead of the upcoming northern-hemisphere outdoor season.

World 100m record holder Asafa Powell took advantage of the Commonwealths winning his event with a world leading time of 10.03 (1339 points) to move up one spot in the Event Rankings, while in the Men's Overall Rankings, Powell moved up to 22 nd position. The 23- year-old however, is still over 50 points behind World and Olympic Champion and Event Rankings leader Justin Gatlin of the United States.

Kenya's Ezekiel Kemboi is right ahead Asafa Powell in the Overall category in 21st place. The Steeplechaser moved up from 46th place this week after also winning in Melbourne with 8:18:17 (1319 points). Kemboi improved in his Event Rankings too, by overtaking compatriot Brimin Kipruto and rising to 3rd.

There were a number of good performances by Australian athletes to please the home crowd, which naturally showed up in the IAAF World Rankings as well. Former World 400m hurdles Champion Jana Pittman cruised home to take the gold in 53.82 (1350 points) - which was also the best female performance of the games. With the win Pittman moved into 5 th place of her Event Rankings overtaking Andrea Blackett of Barbados.

Although Craig Mottram came up just short in the finish of the Men's 5000m final, the 25-year-old posted the best Australian male performance of the Games. Mottram placed second behind Augustine Kiprono Choge in 12:58.19 (1346 points) and moved up two places to 7 th in the Men's 5000 - 10 000m Event Rankings. Choge (12:56.41 - 1372 points) edged up one spot to 5th.

Bronwyn Thompson was the surprise winner of the Women's Long Jump competition. The 28-year-old won the competition with her first legal jump, coming in the second round. Thompson came within 3 centimetres of equalling her own Area Record as she jumped 6.97m (1318 points) to win, and move up eight places to 7 th in the Event Rankings. Needless to say, Thompson's mark - the same way as Pittman's time - is the world leading performance so far this outdoor season.

Full details of the latest changes in the IAAF World Rankings can be found by following this link: www.iaaf.org/worldrankings/index.html.