Portugal's Francis Obikwelu was crowned European sprint king on Thursday after winning the 200m to add to his 100m title.
It was the first sprint double in 28 years, and there was no doubt over who was going to win after the Nigerian-born sprinter rounded the home bend 2m clear.
Obikwelu, who has held Portuguese nationality since 2001, steamed home in 20.01 seconds, with surprise package Johan Wissman of Sweden taking silver 0.37 seconds off the pace. Briton Marlon Devonish claimed bronze in 20.54 seconds.
PHOTO: AP
For once, Obikwelu -- who won the 200m silver medal four years ago -- had a decent start, and left his rivals for dead over the opening 40m.
"I didn't have a single doubt that I was going to be today's winner," Obikwelu said.
"I have been waiting for this gold medal for four years and now I am double European champion -- I don't know how to express my feelings," the Olympic 100m silver medalist said in reference to the first sprint double since Italy's Pietro Mennea achieved the feat in 1978.
PHOTO: EPA
Aside from Obikwelu's heroics, the fourth day of the week-long competition saw Russia consolidate their position at the top of the medals table, netting two gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
On the track, Periklis Iakovakis won Greece's first gold, dominating the field in the men's 400m hurdles to win in 48.46 seconds.
"I came here as the favorite. I was the best and as I proved today I am the best," the Greek airforce officer said.
PHOTO: EPA
Poland's Marek Plawgo took silver while a lunge at the line saw Rhys Williams of Britain nip into bronze ahead of Naman Keita of France.
The biggest surprise of the day came from the unheralded Yohan Diniz of France when he won the men's 50km walk in 3 hours, 41.39 minutes, almost four minutes faster than his personal best.
Diniz took the lead with 5km of the course remaining, cruising past long-time leader Trond Nymark of Norway.
PHOTO: EPA
The Frenchman, who changed his walking style after being disqualified at last year's world championships in Helsinki, maintained his pace and surged ahead of a tiring field competing in torrential rain.
Russian Yuriy Andronov made a late charge for bronze, overtaking Nymark but just falling short of catching Spaniard Jesus Angel Garcia, who took silver 1:09 minutes behind Diniz.
"Before the race, nobody really had me on the radar screen, I surprised everyone," Diniz said. "Today I will enjoy a good wine!"
Bulgaria had Vanya Stambolova to thank for its first medal at the championships, the 22-year-old winning the women's 400m in 49.85 seconds.
Stambolova held her pace until the home stretch, roaring past pacesetter Olga Zaytseva, who herself was caught on the line by Russian compatriot Tatyana Veshkurova, who claimed silver.
There was an equally exciting finish to the women's 800m, Olga Kotlyarova of Russia producing an amazing burst of speed to track down compatriot Svetlana Klyuka 50m from the line and win in 1min 57.38 seconds.
European decathlon champion Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic edged closer to defending his title with three disciplines left on the second day of the gruelling event yesterday.
The Olympic silver medalist stretched his overnight lead to a massive 190 points after finishing third-fastest in the 110m hurdles in 14.27 seconds. But that lead was cut to 154 points after he could only manage 45.47m in the discus, more than 5m off the winning throw.
Pascal Behrenbruch of Germany jumped into second place (5,170 points) with a hurdles time of 14.25 seconds.
Aleksey Sysoyev, second overnight after a strong high jump showing, dropped to seventh with a disastrous 15.24 seconds showing.
But the big Russian scored a massive 884 points in the discus with a best of 50.67m and rebounded into third.
While Sebrle will need some catching, it is turning into a real dogfight for the other medal placings. Hot on Behrenbruch's heels after the hurdles were Russian Aleksandr Pogorelov, Kristjan Rahnu of Estonia, Stefan Drews of Germany and another Russian in the shape of Aleksey Drozdov, all within 41 points.
The overall standings after the discus saw Pogorelov move into second, followed by Sysoyev, Drozdov and Behrenbruch, all within 42 points.
A stunning Lamine Yamal strike on Thursday helped crown Barcelona La Liga champions with a 2-0 win over local rivals RCD Espanyol, with victory ensuring Real Madrid cannot catch them at the top of the table. Yamal’s effort and Fermin Lopez’s goal took Hansi Flick’s side seven points clear of Los Blancos with two matches remaining, to clinch Barcelona’s 28th title and complete a superb domestic treble. Only the UEFA Champions League title escaped an exciting young Barca side this season, as they won the league for the second time in six years, at Espanyol’s ground again just as in 2022-2023. Back then,
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
Jannik Sinner on Thursday marched into the semi-finals of the Italian Open after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1, while Coco Gauff won a marathon three-set battle with China’s Zheng Qinwen to advance to the women’s singles final. American Gauff is to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in today’s title match after pulling through 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) in a match that lasted over three-and-a-half hours. Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in
Shohei Ohtani on Thursday delivered his first two-homer game of the season and had six RBIs as the Los Angeles Dodgers poured it on with five long balls in a 19-2 victory over the visiting Athletics. Max Muncy, Andy Pages and James Outman also hit home runs for the Dodgers, who left no doubt by taking a 13-2 lead following a seven-run third inning. Muncy and Kim Hye-seong each had three hits for Los Angeles. Dodgers right-hander Matt Sauer led off a bullpen game by allowing two runs in four innings. Left-hander Justin Wrobleski (1-1) finished with four scoreless innings after he
RSS