A Field Day for the Russians...

With three world records, and another equalled, the sixth of March will be remembered as the sport's Super Saturday. Leading the charge were Russian jumpers Tatyana Lebedeva and Yelena Isinbayeva who in the course of the late afternoon and early evening, sent their respective events into unchartered territory.

The 27-year-old Lebedeva, twice an outdoor champion in the triple jump, got things off to an immediate bang with her opening round 15.16m leap, tying Ashia Hansen's indoor record set in 1998. She went farther still with her next attempt, a 15.25m effort, that sent the near-capacity crowd into a frenzy. After a third round foul, she reached 15.15m, fouled again, and ended the day with a massive 15.36m effort, together, perhaps the finest-ever series in any field event.

"My victories make me very happy," gleamed Lebedeva, known in the past for her rather colorful choices in hair color. "Although I broke the world record, I'm not fully satisfied with the execution of my jumps. Technically, they weren't perfect."

But Lebedeva is not finished. She also qualified for tomorrow's final in the long jump, an event in which she share's the yearly lead and said she'll attempt a similar double at the Olympic Games.

If any event held promise for excitement, it was the women's pole vault. Isinbayeva raised the world record record twice last month in Donestsk, Ukraine, raising it a few notches to 4.81m and 4.83m, only to lose it to compatriot Svetlana Feofanova, who cleared 4.85m a week later in Athens. Capping a perfect competition, Isinbayeva returned the favor with a massive clearance of 4.86m.

But it wasn't Feofanova who pushed Isinbayeva to a new global standard. The 21-year-old Russian was pushed by 32-year-old Stacy Dragila, who raised her own American record with a third- attempt clearance of 4.82m. The young Russian would later make the first-ever in-competition attempts at the magical five- meter mark. That barrier will soon fall as well.

"My personal best is 4.95 in training," Isinbayeva said, who despite the clean clearance, was not happy with her technique. "I need a lot of improvements, expecially technically. Today, I also made lots of mistakes."

"It was a good day," said Dragila, who said she used the biggest pole of her career on her national record clearance. "I couldn't get past Isinbayeva. She looked fresh all day, and I felt like I had to fight through tired legs a couple of times. I'm pleased with 4.81 - it's a confidence builder, and a great way to end the indoor season. I'll be contending outdoors."

The Russians took home $50,000 world record bonuses, on top of their $40,000 first place prizes.

For Lagat, Redemption, Vindication...

Bernard Lagat's victory tonight was not only his nation's first- ever victory in the 3000 meters at a World Indoor Championships. For the 29-year-old Kenyan, for years among the finest middle distance runners in the world, it was redemption, vindication, and finally, his first title of "World Champion."

"It felt really good to be here in Budapest this year after all the problems that happened last year" Lagat said, referring to the announcement last summer that he had tested positive for the endurance-booster EPO, a decision that was later reversed. "I had to channel all my negative energy towards a good thing. I wanted to run hard as a way of thanking my friends -my true friends- my family, and my true fans who believed in me through the whole ordeal. And there was nothing better that I could do than just come to Budapest and win for them as a way of telling them 'thank you.'"

After holding off Rui Silva's ferocious attack in the final 200 meters, Lagat did finally win that elusive world title when he reached the finish line in 7:56.34, 74 one-hundredths of a second ahead of the Portuguese middle distance star.

"I have never actually beaten Silva when it comes down to a two- man race," Lagat said, clearly indicating that Silva's kick was weighing heavily on his mind. "It was challenging in my mind, because I knew he was close and could pass me at any time. I knew he was coming, and it wouldn't surprise me if he would pass me because I know he's a great athlete with great speed. It was tough for me mentally."

After a slowish 4:17.8 first half, Australian record holder Craig Mottram pushed the pace, bringing the field through the 2000 meter point in 5:33.01, with Lagat, Ethiopian Markos Geneti and Silva behind, following in single file. The order shifted with 600 meters to go, when Lagat, Geneti, Silva and Spaniard Antonio David Jimenez passed the fading Australian. At the bell, Silva, the 2001 indoor champion at 1500 meters, issued a strong challenge for the lead, but the Kenyan would not yield.

Content with the runner-up spot, Silva glanced back briefly before easing up at the finish to reach the line in 7:57.08. The 19-year-old Geneti, who made headlines last month when he beat Haile Gebrselassie in a two mile race, took the bronze in 7:57.87.

"The race went somehow the way were expecting," Lagat said of the initial slow pace. "Nobody was going to take it, and that's something that we all have to accept. Then at one point Craig [Mottram] took it hard and I followed him because I knew it was the only strategy for me if I was going to have a chance to win."

Spaniards Jimenez (7:58.23) and Sergio Gallardo (7:58.96) finished fourth and fifth. The second half of the race was covered in 3:38.5, faster than the two previous world indoor championship 1500m races.

For Dulecha, an Easy win in the Women's 1500m...

Kutre Dulecha of Ethiopia lived up to her nation's expectations, Carmen Douma-Hussar exceeded those of her's, and Kelly Holmes perhaps failed to meet her own in the final of the women's 1500 meters.

Dulecha, the bronze medallist in 1999 and African indoor record holder, took control of the race with 300 metres to go and never looked back en route to a 4:06.40 victory.

"The race suited me very well," she said, "It was slow and tactical."

Alesya Turova of Belorus took care of the initial pacing, reaching 400 meters in 1:05.46 and 800 in just under 2:13. But when the 25-year-old Ethiopian took command, the race turned into a contest for second.

Producing perhaps the biggest surprise thus far in these world indoor championships, Carmen Douma-Hussar of Canada emerged from the crowded homestretch field to claim the silver, her 4:08.18 a national record. Her smile after the race seemed to reach across the wide expanse of Budapest's Sportarena.

"It is just unbelievable," said the 1998 NCAA champion in the event, whose previous indoor best was 4:11.71. "Honestly, I did not hope to get a medal but my coach, Marcus O'Sullivan, talked to me about the possibilities. But honestly, I didn't believe his words."

Russian Gulnara Samitova (4:08.26), who was near the front for much of the race, held off the late-race charge of Bulgarian Daniela Yordanova (4:08.52), to take the bronze.

Briton Kelly Holmes, for weeks considered among the favorites, fell to the track as she was making a move through the crowd with just over 600 meters to go. She recovered breifly and caught the back of the pack a lap later, but eventually faded to last in 4:12.30.

Clearly dejected, Holmes, who finished second behind Regina Jacobs in last year's indoor championships, immediately left the track and wouldn't speak to reporters. Afterwards she was sitting with coach Margo Jennings and training partner Maria Mutola, her hands hiding her tears, as a dumbfounded British press corps stood by watching.

After a Rough, Long Day, Johnson Defends 60m Hurdles Title...

Just two hours after a third place finish in his semi-final, Allen Johnson won his third world indoor title with a stunning 7.36 peformance, equalling the second fastest run ever. Behind at the half way point, Johnson powered ahead in a gear few men have ever found, equalling the national record set by Greg Foster 14 years ago.

"I feel like it's going to be a really exciting summer," said Johnson, who's eagerly looking forward to regain the Olympic title he won in 1996. "I was nervous going into the finals because things today weren't going for me as planned." Johnson was third in his first round race in 7.64, and only advanced on time after finishing third in his semi-final in 7.58. "I haven't felt as fresh as I have in other competitions."

China's Xiang Liu, the bronze medallist indoors and out last season, who looked unstoppable all day, finished second in 7.43. He posted an easy 7.63 win in the opening round, and a national record 7.46 in the semis, which he lowered again in the final. "It's no longer the point that he's going to be good or going to be great," Johnson said of Xiang, who is not yet 21. "He's shown that he already is."

Pulling off an upset, Jamaican record holder Maurice Wignall edged past Stanislavs Olijars to claim the bronze in 7.48, an indoor national record. Stanislavs Olijars was fourth in 7.49, the fastest non-medal winning time since 1995.

400 Meter Finals - Nazarova Begins Russian Super Saturday...

Easily living up to expectations, Natalaya Nazarova became the first women to ever successfully defend the world indoor 400 metres title. The 24-year-old Russian, who began the year with a world indoor best in the 500 meters, made up the stagger before the half way point, and was never seriously challenged en route to her 50.19 Championships record.

Teammate Olesya Krasomovets was closest, with a personal best 50.65. Taking the bronze was Tonique Williams, clocking a Bahamian record 50.97. Ionele Tirlea, the 1999 champion in the 200 metres, was a distant third in 51.58.

"I felt much more comfortable about winning than last year, but the competitors were also much stronger," Nazarova said. Echoing the sentiments of both the men's and women's fields, she added, "If I had to race just once, instead of twice, it would have been much better."

Alleyne Francique fought off a fierce homestretch attack by Davian Clarke to win his first major 400 metres title. Francique, the Commonwealth indoor record holder, won in 45.88 to lead a 1-2 Caribbean finish. Clarke, a world, Olympic and Commonwealth Games relay medal winner for Jamaica, was less than a step behind, clocking 45.88. Gary Kikaya, a two-time 400m NCAA champion while at the University of Tennessee, was never in the contest for the win, but did win the race for the bronze medal with a seasonal best 46.30, outkicking Tunisian Sofiane Ladibi (46.48). It was the first-ever medal for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

For Long Jump Winner Stringfellow, the "Hardest Competition Ever"...

Just a few days ago, US long jumper Savante Stringfellow was widely quoted as saying that the Budapest competition would amount to "the easiest $40,000 I ever made."

After winning what would be the deepest competition ever indoors with a solid 8.40 third round effort, the affable 25- year-old had an admission to make.

"I lied," he said, bursting out in laughter. "It was probably one of the hardest competitions I've ever been to. At any moment I knew that James [Beckford, runner-up with an 8.31m leap] or any of the other guys could pass my jump. I was nervous the entire competition."

Russian Vitaliy Shkurlatov took the bronze with an 8.26m leap, with Romanian Bodgan Tarus fourth with an 8.23m effort. All eight finalists jumped beyond eight meters, all seasonal bests. "After those first few jumps," Stringfellow said, sitting in sixth place, " I was thinking that if I didn't win, everybody was going to ask me about that comment."

Stringfellow said he was disappointed that Dwight Phillips, defending indoor and outdoor champion wasn't able to compete. "I'm pretty sure he would have made the competition even better. He's a great competitor." Phillips missed the US championships last weekend after catching a flu bug after a competition in England the previous week. "I'm looking forward to competing against him as much as possible again outdoors."

Holm's Victory a Fitting One...

One of the heaviest favorites for gold was high jumper Stefan Holm, and the Swedish defending champion did not disappoint with a first attempt clearance at "I had a great indoor season, and I,m just going to enjoy this for a few days then get ready for the outdoor season," said Holm, who was followed by a dedicated contingent of fans. "Of course, the indoor season is important, and the world indoors is really important, but the Olympic Games is definitely the most imoportant competition for the entire year. I've never won an outdoor championships, so I would really, really like to win in Athens this year."

Russian Yaroslav Rybakov was second with a 2.32m clearance. The rest of the field struggled, with six men managing only 2.25, while American jamie Nieto could only manage his opening height of 2.20m.

800 Meter Semi-Finals...

Setting up their eagerly anticipated showdown, Mutola, the defending indoor champion, and indoor world record holder Jolanda Ceplak won their respective semi-finals.

In the first race, Ceplak jumped to an immediate lead, and was two steps ahead of Briton Jo Fenn and Moroccan Seltana Ait Hammou just 200 meters into the race. She extended her lead when she reached the half in 59.33, when behind her, the jockeying for the two remaining spots began. Russian Tatyana Andrianova blasted into second place with 300 meters to go, with Fenn dropping to fourth. Spaniard Mayte Martinez, the defending bronze medallist, moved up to fourth at the bell, and seemed ready to make her move, but Fenn, a part-time country music singer, hold off the Spaniard to secure the third qualifying spot. Ceplak won in 1:59.29, with Andrianova second in 1:59.96, then Fenn (2:00.79) and Martinez (2:01.06).

From the outset the second semi was considerably slower, and decidedly more tactical. Olga Raspopova brought the field through the first 200 in 31.58, with US champion Jen Toomey moving into second 100 meters later, and into the lead at the bell. Mutola moved up to second and made a brief move for the lead down the back straight, but Toomey fought her off, holding her ground. With the top three positions all but assured, Toomey eased up in the homestretch, as he did Mutola, who nonetheless passed her for the win in 2:03.19, with Toomey second in 2:03.40. Raspopova took the third spot in 2:03.71, nearly a second a half ahead of the rest. The final is tomorrow evening, where Mutola has her sights set on becoming the first-ever six time indoor champion.

With just the top two finishers advancing to tomorrow's final, the men's 800 meter semi-finals were as tactical as they were downright physically brutal.

Osmar Barbosa Dos Santos of Brazil led through the half in a relatively quick 51.83, but the real action didn't begin until the bell sounded. The Brazilian held on to win in 1:46.91, but behind him, Kenyan William Yiampoy and Moroccan Mouhssin Chehibi exchanged several pushes with 150 meters remaining, but the Kenyan held firm to finish second in 1:47.02. Youssef saad Kamel, a teenager from Bahrain moved up to third, setting an Asian record 1:47.16 in the process. American Michael Stember, who was quoted widely in the press over the past week for negative remarks about Kenyan Bernard Lagat, was never a factor, and finished last in 1:48.68.

Kenyan Joseph Mutua was in firm control of the second race, and, putting enough distance on the chase pack, managed to stay out of trouble en route to a 1:47.07 win. But behind him, Florent Lacasse of France and Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain, who competed as Rachid Kouia of Morocco until 2002, blocked, pushed and shoved for the final 150 meters, with both reaching --and diving across-- the finish line simultaneously. With both timed at 1:47.28, the photo gave the advantage to Ramzi, who moves on to the final.

The third race began even more slowly, with Burundi's Jean- Patrick Nduwimana reaching the half in just under 56 seconds. At the bell a lap later, Moroccan Amine Laalou made a move to pass Dutchman Bram Som, who lost his footing and fell to the track, and immediately out of the race. South African Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, the Paris bronze medallist, moved to front during the brief pile up to win in 1:49.96, with Laalou hanging on for second in 1:50.07.

1500 Meter Semi-finals...

Laban Rotich and Ivan Heshko won their respective semi-finals in the men's 1500 metres, setting up a battle of swift kickers for tomorrow evening's final.

Rotich, the Kenyan indoor record holder, led almost the entire race, and with no one seemingly interested in testing him, the battle for the qualifying positions took place behind him. Morocco's Abdelkader Hachlaf, the bronze medallist in Birmingham last year, will make another finals appearance after finishing second in 3:41.75, along with Commonwealth Games champion Michael East (3:41.86), who finished third.

With a powerful kick in the final 80 meters, Ukrainian record holder Ivan Heshko proved to be a solid gold medal favorite with his seemingly effortless 3:39.93 win. James Thie finished second in 3:40.68, marking the first time a pair of British runners will appear in a world indoor championship 1500 meter final. Spaniard Jose Antonio Redolat (3:40.70), Kenyan Paul Korir (3:40.75), Miroslaw Formela (3:41.22) of Poland and Moroccan Youssef Baba (3:41.25) fill out the field.

200 meter semi-finals...

After wins in their respective heats, defending silver medallist Joseph Batangdon and defending bronze medallist Dominic Demeritte return to tomorrow's final aiming to each move up a notch --or two. Batangdon, from Cameroon, claimed a narrow 20.86-20.87 win over Marcin Urbas of Poland in he first semi, while Swedish national record holder, Johan Wissman won the second with a relaxed 20.72 over Tobias Unger's 20.87. Bahamian Demeritte won the third in 20.75, nearly two-tenths of a second clear of US champion Jimmie Hackley (20.94). Notable non-qualifers included the lone Briton in the semis, Allyn Condon (20.89), and second American Coby Miller, who, slowed by back pains sustained in weight training earlier this week, finished last in heat 1 in 21.95. 1999 World Champion and world record holder Frank Fredericks did not start.

With a commanding 22.86 win in her semi, 2003 indoor bronze medallist Anastasiya Kapachinskaya made a Russian medal sweep of the long sprints a real possiblity. The 24-year-old, who struck silver outdoors last year, finished a tenth ahead of a second ahead of Nataliya Safronnikova of Belorus, who was also a finallist last year in Birmingham. Nataliya Pygyda, who was third in 23.46, also moves on to tomorrow's final.

Austrian record holder Karin Mayr Krifka of Austria powered home in 23.11 to win the first of two semis, just ahead of Russian Svetlana Goncharenko (23.13), the 1998 European Indoor champion in the event. Ukraine's Maryna Maydanova, the 2003 European Under-23 champion, clocked 23.47 to finish third, putting a pair of Ukrainians in the final for the first time.

Elsewhere, defending champion Manuel Martinez led all qualifiers with a 20.59m toss in the shot put, while world leader Christian Cantwell advanced comfortably with a 20.77m effort. 20.28m was the cut-off for tomorrow's final.

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