World champions Michelle Perry (file photo) and
Reese Hoffa stayed
true to form, while Walter Davis and LaShawn Merritt also
picked up victories Saturday in the first day of competition at
the IAAF World Athletics Final in Stuttgart, Germany. Repeating their finishes from the World Championships in
Osaka, Hoffa and Adam Nelson went 1-2 in the men's shot
put with throws of 20.98m/68-10 and 20.95m/68-8.75,
respectively. Dan Taylor was fourth with 20.74m/68-0.5,
Christian Cantwell fifth with 20.25m/66-5.25, and Garrett
Johnson eighth with 19.26m/63-2.25.
Two-time world champion Michelle Perry won the women's
100m hurdles in 12.68 seconds, .02 ahead of Spain's
Josephine Onyia in second. American Lolo Jones, Sally
McClellan of Australia and Susanna Kallur of Sweden - who
had dominated Golden League competition since Osaka -
all were disqualified in a second and third false start.
Americans went 1-2 in the men's triple jump with 2005
world champion Davis winning with a season-best mark of
17.35m/56-11.25 and Aarik Wilson just 1 cm back with
17.34m/56-10.75.
World Outdoor runner-up LaShawn Merritt easily won the
men's 400 in 44.58, ahead of Canada's Tyler Christopher in
second in 44.87. Worlds bronze medalist Angelo Taylor was
third in 44.92.
Americans dominated the men's 400m hurdles, although
victory was lost in a photo-finish. World champion Kerron
Clement and Marek Plawgo of Poland both finished in
48.35, but Plawgo got the victory. Americans filled the
results after Clement's runner-up, with USA champion
James Carter also vying for the victory in third (48.36), 2005
world champion Bershawn Jackson fourth (48.58), 2000
Olympic gold medalist Angelo Taylor fifth (49.27) and
Kenneth Ferguson sixth (49.45).
Three-time USA outdoor champion Grace Upshaw finished
second in the women's long jump with a leap of
6.64m/21-9.5, with Rose Richmond eighth with a best mark
of 6.32m/20-9.
In other events, Lauryn Williams was fourth (22.94) and
Stephanie Durst seventh (23.50) in the women's 200; Jarred
Rome was sixth (62.05m/203-7) and Ian Waltz was eighth
(61.14/200-7) in the men's discus; Amy Acuff was fifth in the
women's high jump (1.94m/6-4.25); and Lisa Galaviz was
eighth in the women's steeplechase in 9:51.73.
For complete results and reports from Stuttgart, visit
www.iaaf.org