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Derrick Atkins records surprise win in Athens 100m

Derrick Atkins competes during the 100m event at the IAAF Athens Grand Prix in the Athens Olympic Stadium on Monday. Photo: EPA

Derrick Atkins of the Bahamas was the surprise winner in the featured men's 100m race on Monday at the Athens Grand Prix, clocking a national record of 9.95 seconds.

Atkins beat out favored Portuguese Olympic silver medalist Francis Obikwelu, who was third in 10.11 behind Britain's Marlon Devonish, in 10.09.

"I had some trouble with my start, but in the end I was very strong. I am so happy for the national record. My next target is a faster time," Atkins said.

The Athens meet is known for setting world records with Maurice Greene in 1999 (9.79) and Asafa Powell (9.77) in 2005 both doing so.

Cuba's Dayron Robles recorded his season's best to win the 110m hurdles in 13.11sec, nipping Americans David Oliver (13.14) and David Payne (13.19) at the line.

"I had a very good start, so the race went very well. I am very pleased with my time and I am sure in the next races I will be faster," Robles said.

The Americans had a clean sweep in the 400m hurdles with world champion Bershawn Jackson taking the race in 48.15 seconds from Kenneth Ferguson (48.16) and world silver medalist James Carter (48.25).

Russia's Olympic champion Yuriy Borzakovskiy captured the 800m in 1:44.38 followed in second place by Kuwait's Mohammad Al-Azemi in 1:44.55.

"I was very familiar with the stadium having won here in the Olympics and I expected to win tonight," Borzakovskiy said.

World and Olympic discus throw champion Virgiljius Alekna of Lithuania dominated his specialty with a toss of 70.43m.

Current long jump world leader and crowd favorite Louis Tsatoumas finished a disappointing third with a leap of 8.10m, falling behind Italy's European champion Andrew Howe who won the competition with a 8.17m followed in second by American Trevell Quinley (8.13).

"I had some problems with my technique, but in the end I was the winner. My big target this year is the gold medal in Osaka," said Howe, referring to the world championships later this year.

Kenya swept the 3,000m steeplechase led by Ezekiel Kemboi's clocking of 8:05.50.

In the women's events, Russia's Tatyana Lebedeva easily won the triple jump in 15.14m, the only athlete in the event to go beyond the 15m mark.

"The crowd was very supportive. I am very satisfied with my performance," Lebedeva said.

Germany's Christina Obergfoll also had no trouble winning the javelin in 67.78m.

The 800m was taken by Svetlana Cherkasova of Russia in 1:59.03.

American Jesse Williams captured the high jump with a leap of 2.32m.
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