Report14 Jul 2013


Super-fast Swede Ekelund takes 200m title in Donetsk

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Swedish sprinter Irene Ekelund at the 2013 World Youth Championships (© Getty Images)

Sweden’s Irene Ekelund stormed to a 22.92 lifetime best and championship record on the final day of this year’s IAAF World Youth Championships on Sunday (14) to more than make amends for finishing fifth in the 100m final on Thursday.

The 17-year-old claimed her nation’s first ever medal in this event in the 14-year history of this championship, en route to shooting to the top of the 2013 world youth list and eighth on the all-time rankings.

Following another impressive world youth-leading 23.02 in the semi-final stage on Saturday, the Swede captured gold courtesy of a strong start and an emphtatic piece of acceleration down the home straight.

Clocking a 23.13 personal best, Ecuador’s Angela Tenorio added her silver medal to her bronze in the 100m, when she became her country’s first ever medallist at the World Youth Championships.

The pre-event favourite for both the 100m and 200m, USA’s Ariana Washington disappointingly missed out on the gold medal again – following her second place finish in the 100m – as she came home in 23.20 to take the bronze medal.

The 16-year-old ran a 23.18 lifetime best in May but has struggled to live up to the lofty expectations this week.

Nevertheless, her medal represents USA’s eighth medal in this event in as many editions for the Championships, with two gold, three silver and now three bronze medals in their collection.