Demus takes women’s hurdles gold; Kenya dominates long-distance events

England’s David Greene looked as relaxed as he did in the semis to take gold in the men’s 400-meter hurdles, finishing with 48.26 seconds, the slowest winning time at the World Championships in 20 years.

In what could have been anyone’s race, the 25-year-old Greene topped off a strong season by coming from the outside lane to take the gold from Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson in the final 50m stretch at 48.26 seconds.

South Africa’s season record holder L.J. Van Zyl also led the pack next to the Puerto Rican 2009 silver medalist, but couldn’t chase down Greene and came in for bronze.

Elsewhere, two-time Worlds silver medalist Lashinda Demus of the U.S. produced a fine 400m hurdles race to win her first gold in Daegu.

The 28-year-old had the fastest reaction time and was well ahead coming off the bend to win the gold with the world leading record of 52.47 seconds.

2008 Olympic medalist Melaine Walker of Jamaican won the silver with her season-best effort of 52.73, while 2010 European champion Natalya Antyukh of Russia claimed the bronze with 53.85.

Kenya added two more medals to their long-distance dominance as Ezekiel Kemboi grabbed the gold and Brimin Kipruto the silver in the men’s 3000-meter steeplechase.

The defending champion Kemboi trailed Uganda’s Jacob Araptany through most of the race, only to save up for a last wind, blowing away the pack at the final 200 mark for 8 minutes, 14.85 second.

Kipruto followed close behind Kemboi until the last stretch but celebrated too early, almost losing the silver to France’s Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad.

On the sixth day of the competition, Jesse Williams was a heavy favorite to win the title in men’s high jump, and the 27-year-old American didn’t disappoint.

Williams, who has the best mark this year at 2.37m, had little trouble claiming his first world title at 2.35m. Russian Aleksey Dmitrik Aleksey, who cleared the same height in his second attempt, came second. Trevor Barry of the Bahamas took bronze by clearing 2.32m.

The trio opened their competition at 2.20 meters with easy first attempt clearances. Williams also passed the height of 2.32 in his first try, while the 27-year-old Russian needed a second go.

Barry passed the next height, his personal record of 2.35m, on his first try before failing to clear at 2.35m.

The American champion forged ahead into the lead with his first clearance at 2.35m, while the Russian high jumper needed a second go.

With 2.37 to decide the medals, both failed to clear the bar, but Williams won the gold with fewer misses earlier.

Jennifer Barringer Simpson of the U.S. came out of left field with Briton Hannah England to take the championship title in the women’s 1500 meters.

Trailing for most of the race, the 25-year-old Simpson gave it her all in the last 100 meters of the race, driving up from fourth place to finish on top with 4 minutes, 5.40 seconds.

England followed the U.S. record holder’s lead running from fifth to silver, finishing ahead of Natalia Rodriguez of Spain.

Defending two-time world champion Maryam Jamal of Bahrain fell behind before the 1200m mark, finishing last after being the season’s record holder.

Meanwhile in the women’s triple jump, Ukrainian Olha Saladuha won with her first round leap of 14.94m, while Olga Rypakova of Kazakhstan finished second at 14.89m. Current world No. 2 Catherine Ibarguen of Columbia won the bronze medal with her fifth round leap of 14.89.

Cuban world leader Yargeris Savigne, who has the best mark this year at 14.99m, limped off at the final after her first jump.

By Oh Kyu-wook & Robert Lee 
(596story@heraldcorp.com) (robert@heraldcorp.com)