The World leader at 1.92 Italy’s Alessia Trost added today the World Junior title to her 2009 World Youth gold medal. The event had been billed as a clash between Russia’s European Junior champion Mariya Kuchina and Trost herself. While the Italian seemed a safe bet for the podium having cleared no less than 5 times 1.90 or higher this season (2 indoors, 3 outdoors) Kuchina entered the Worlds also with five 1.90+ appearances but all of them set indoors capped by a 1.96 jump but she held a relatively modest 1.89 outdoors. However, that showdown had a surprise guest in the guise of Seychelles’ Lissa Labiche. Eventually Trost bagged the gold medal thanks to a 1.91m second-time clearance while Labiche took silver ahead of Kuchina and Germany’s Alexandra Plaza; the three athletes went over 1.88 but Labiche prevailed by virtue of a cleaner card at the height as she cleared it at the first time of asking while the Russian and the German needed all their three attempts. A previous mistake at 1.85 cost the German the medal in favour of Kuchina. Taking a closer look to the contest, Trost had to survive a near escape at 1.82 as she only cleared the bar on her third try while Kuchina went clear at the first time of asking. In addition to the two favourites six more athletes went through the height: Dior Delophont, Labiche, Ukraine’s Iryna Herashchenko Saint Lucia’s Jeanelle Scheper and the German duo of Plaza and Melina Brenner. 1.85 only produced one casualty, Scheper, while Trost, Labiche, Kuchina and Delophont cleared on their first attempt, Plaza on her second and Brenner plus Heraschenko had a near escape. When the bar was raised to 1.88 only Labiche was successful at the first time and she improved her PB by two centimetres in the process. Kuchina, Trost and Plaza had to wait until the very last attempt to finally survive in the contest, the German equaling her career best. The only additional clearance today was signed by Trost who went over 1.91 at the second time of asking while her three rivals failed their three respective attempts. Today’s World title for Trost comes after the bronze medal her fellow Italian Elena Vallortigara took in Moncton two years ago. Emeterio Valiente for the IAAF

The World leader at 1.92 Italy’s Alessia Trost added today the World Junior title to her 2009 World Youth gold medal. The event had been billed as a clash between Russia’s European Junior champion Mariya Kuchina and Trost herself.


Barcelona 2012 - Event Report - Women's High Jump Final

Kenyan middle distance runners Conseslus Kipruto and the tiny figure of Faith Kipyegon highlighted a magnificent final night's action with their 3000m Steeplechase and 1500m successes when the IAAF World Junior Championships concluded after six days in Barcelona tonight. Championships record for Kipruto Kipruto decimated fellow Kenyan Willy Ruto's six year old Championships record of 8:14.00 when leading from gun-to-tape he blasted out a time of 8:06.10. His remarkable performance also improved the World lead he set at Doha's Samsung Diamond League meet in May where demonstrated his vast potential for the future. Gilbert Kiplangat who was just over two seconds behind when runner up on that hot night in the desert, had to settle again for second best after being destroyed by his fellow countryman's last kilometre of 2:40.98 clocking 8:19.94 with Morocco's Hicham Sigueni a distant third in 8:30.14. Kipruto 17, the fastest man at that age in the chase and maintaining Kenya's unbeaten Championships gold medal winning tradition at the distance said: "I not only got the gold but also achieved a good personal result." Kipyegon untroubled Kipyegon next on track quickly followed on from where Kipruto left off when motoring to a new Championships record in a race which she effectively controlled after the first 300m. The World leader with 4:03.82 did not better that time but not really challenged stood head-and-shoulders over her much taller rivals around the 1992 Olympic Stadium in 4:04.96. Last year's World Youth gold medallist on hearing the bell really put her foot down on the back straight only Serbia's Amela Terzic made any real attempt to take up the chase and was rewarded with her second Serbian record of the Championships in 4:07.59 with Ethiopia's Senbere setting a PB 4:08.28 behind her. Kipyegon who will now prepare for the Olympic Games said: "When I entered the stadium I saw that Conseslus had got the gold medal and Gilbert the silver. It gave me a lot of encouragement to run. After the Olympics I want to go home and rest." First gold for Botswana Nijel Amos the World leader and pre-race favourite carrying an injury, bided his time until the final straight before unleashing his renowned sprint finish and win Botswana's first ever gold medal in any event with a Championships record of 1:43.79. Amos roared ahead of his closest rival Timothy Kitum to beat the Kenyan by a healthy 0.77 with the latter's team-mate Edwin Melly setting a PB 1:44.79 for the bronze medal. They were followed home by the tenacious Wesley Vaquez who did almost all of the pacemaking including a first lap of 51.18 until wilting in the final burn up and was rewarded with a Puerto Rican record of 1:45.29. "I am really content to get the gold medal today in spite of my injured leg," said Amos who had managed to hide his injury from his rivals. "It will still take some time to recover." Hurdles victory for Snow Morgan Snow who has remained in the background over the last few days while both World leader Ekaterina Bleskina and 2011 World Youth runner up Noemi Zbaren were the punters bet to take the 100m Hurdles title, destroyed the hopes of the European candidates. Snow producing a roaring finish into a -2.4m/s headwind regained the title Teona Rodgers last won for Team USA four years ago, winning in 13.38 with Switzerland's Zbaren 0.04 behind gaining another Age-group silver medal clocking 13.42. World leader Bleskina (13.43) although coming out her blocks slowly made the early pace and at the half way point the Russian looked the likely winner along with Dior Hall. Unfortunately the American clattered the eighth hurdle and her body out of control, almost destroyed the next before falling to track. "It is a great start of my international career, this gold for my country," said Snow the second fastest of the competitors who came to Barcelona. "My focus on winning the race was all about speed and I have known that I have that speed. I didn't see Dior (fall) but she is young and she will have a great career." Pichardo takes Triple Jump gold back to Cuba Pedro Pichardo setting a World leading Triple Jump best for the year of 16.79m outfoxed his predecessor Artem Primak by just 13 centimetres to win Cuba's fourth gold medal in the discipline at the Championships. The pair fought a tactical battle after Russia's Primak took the lead in the opening round with an effort of 16.43m before his rival struck gold with his 16.79m hop, step and jump in the third. Pichardo then passed his next attempt but after Primak cleared his best distance of 16.60m in the fifth round had a no jump then sat out the final round knowing victory was under his belt. Bahamian Latario Collie-Minns placed third with 16.37m. Germany at the double Anna Rüh and Shanice Craft in a nail biting competition scored a German 1-2 to thwart the efforts of the USA's Shelbi Vaughan who until the last round had the gold medal in her grasp from her fourth throw of 60.07m. Rüh became the first German winner since Ilke Wyludda scored the second of her two victories wearing the colours of East Germany in 1988 when pulling out an effort of 62.38m with Craft also producing her best in that round of 60.42 which lowered Vaughan to third. "I did not start the competition very well because the ground was very slippery," said Rüh the World leader. "It took me time to adapt to the conditions. "Before the last throw I thought: 'You can't go home with just 57 metres'. The competition was very hard with tough rivals." Trost keeps Italian jumping tradition alive Alessia Trost expressed doubts about her ability to win the High Jump title but on a night when dark clouds began hanging over the stadium before it eventually rained, the Italian's face was beaming like a sunbeam after clinching the gold medal with a clearance of 1.91m. Trost although World leader with 1.92m admitted she feared the threat posed by Mariya Kuchina who has a best indoors mark of 1.97m but it never materialised. Indeed the Russian finished third on count-back behind Lissa Labiche who set a Seychelles’ record of 1.88m, with Germany's Alexandra Plaza also attaining the height but ranked fourth. "I am terribly satisfied because I took gold which was the goal of the season," said the ambitious Trost. USA takes all Relays Team USA's women having been reinstated after their semi-final disqualification not surprisingly with the individual gold and bronze medallists Ashley Spencer and Erika Rucker restored to the team, scored a sixth consecutive win in a World leading time of 3:30.01. They only looked vulnerable on the third leg when Jamaica who was second in a SB 3:32.97 had Shericka Jackson close down Kendall Baisden's 10-metre lead. But the 17-year-old kept her nerve to handover a three metres advantage to Spencer. The race for bronze was much closer Russia clocking 3:36.42 claiming it ahead of Ukraine by 0.60 with Germany running a season's best of 3:27.23. Team USA's men also romped to a sixth successive victory where their dominance was never challenged as they carried the baton to a new 2012 World leading time of 3:03.99. Jamaica looked the likely silver medallists but last leg runner Jermaine Fyffe was out of sorts allowing Poland with a National record of 3:05.05 to clinch second ahead of Trinidad &amp; Tobago behind them in 3:06.32. David Martin for the IAAF

Kenyan middle distance runners Conseslus Kipruto and the tiny figure of Faith Kipyegon highlighted a magnificent final night's action with their 3000m Steeplechase and 1500m successes when the IAAF World Junior Championships concluded after six days in Barcelona tonight.

Kenyan middle distance runners highlight final night – Barcelona 2012 – Day Six Report 

Pedro Pichardo set a new Personal Best and World leading 16.79 to clinch the fourth World Junior Triple Jump title for Cuba following in the footsteps of Yoelbi Quesada in 1992, René Hernandez in 1996 and David Girat in 2002. Hailing from Santiago de Cuba, Pichardo upset the pre-event World leader Artem Primak, the Russian having to be content with silver at 16.60. Latario Collie-Minns of Bahamas completed the podium courtesy of a second round effort 16.37. After a first round foul, Pichardo propelled himself to the top of the standings with a second round 16.62, an effort which would have been good enough for gold, which he soon backed up with his best of the day coming in round 3. Primak, who looked discontent having to play catch up, had the finest series of the evening all of his five legal attempts being measured over 16.20 but the Russian tonight did not find the one outstanding jump needed for the top prize. Following his fifth round best of the day, Primak’s concentration was at his highest when he set off for his final attempt but there would be no upsetting the Cuban this time around. Having passed his fourth attempt and fouled his fifth, Pichardo also opted not to take his final attempt and enjoyed a well-deserved lap of honour wrapped in a Cuban flag. Three other men broke the 16-metre barrier tonight with Bulgaria’s Georgi Tsonov taking fourth with 16.10, Henrique da Silva of Brazil in fifth (16.04PB) and Lasha Gulelauri of Georgia in sixth at 16.00. Laura Arcoleo for the IAAF

Pedro Pichardo set a new Personal Best and World leading 16.79 to clinch the fourth World Junior Triple Jump title for Cuba following in the footsteps of Yoelbi Quesada in 1992, René Hernandez in 1996 and David Girat in 2002.

Barcelona 2012 - Event Report - Men's Triple Jump Final

Except for the inaugural 1986 edition, Kenya had medalled at every championships with no fewer than eight gold medals to its credit and Barcelona proved to be no different but the sweetest prize here went for Botswana’s Nijel Amos who captured gold in a scorching Championships record of 1:43.79 to slice a full second from the previous best. The Kenyan pair of Timothy Kitum, 1:44.59 for silver, and Edwin Kiplagat Melly, a PB of 1:44.79 for bronze, joined Amos on the podium. However it was Puerto Rico’s Wesley Vazquez who bravely launched the race at a very quick rhythm as he hit the 200m in 24.32 and reached the bell in 51.18 closely followed by Melly, Amos, Ireland’s Brandon McBride and Kitum who was left with so much to do in the second half. Vasquez was still at the front by the 600m point, Amos was closest, Melly was third and Kitum had reacted and was a threatening fourth not far from the leaders. Entering the home-straight Vasquez remained ahead but first Amos and then Kitum passed him like a pair of trains to confirm their Olympic berths for London are no fluke. Amos was never really threatened by Kitum, the latter taking revenge from last year’s World Youth Championships, where he came fifth. The last metres proved to be never ending for the brave Vasquez who finally didn’t get a medal despite his risky tactics as he was caught some 30m to the line by Melly although Vasquez found some consolation in a national record of 1:45.29, a feat also managed by McBride (1:46.07) and Algeria’s Mohamed Belbachir (1:46.70). Today’s is the second ever medal for Botswana in the history of the championships, Amos’ gold improving on the 400m bronze taken by Obakeng Ngwigwa back in 2004. Emeterio Valiente for the IAAF

Except for the inaugural 1986 edition, Kenya had medalled at every championships with no fewer than eight gold medals to its credit and Barcelona proved to be no different but the sweetest prize here went for Botswana’s Nijel Amos who captured gold in a scorching Championships record of 1:43.79 to slice a full second from the previous best.


Barcelona 2012 - Event Report - Men's 800m Final

WinnerPedro PICHARDO, CUB I am confident and I can do it better, but I won the competition and it is breathtaking. I also improved my personal best so I cannot ask for more. Moreover, I defended Cuban pride in this har competition. I train in Santiago with my father, who also was a highjumper. Second - Artem PRIMAK, RUS It is my first international competition, that is why maybe I did not get the gold. Now we will work on my mistakes with my coach. actuall i train with three coaches: Sergey Petrenko, Tatjana Tirulina and Otto Zigizmund. I train in the city of Kharkov. Now the season is over, so we will be getting ready for the winter games. (Then he asked to write down the following): The team was really supportive all this time, very helpful! Third - Latario COLLIE-MINNS, BAH Well, I know that I could have not better. It was not my best performance for sure. Triple jump is my main event and I am participating in triple jump for 6 years already. I dedicate my medal to my parents and coaches. I am aiming to get back for next season stronger and better prepared.

I am confident and I can do it better, but I won the competition and it is breathtaking. I also improved my personal best so I cannot ask for more. Moreover, I defended Cuban pride in this har competition, Pedro PICHARDO, CUB.

Barcelona 2012 - Flash Interviews - Men's Triple Jump Final

WinnerAlessia TROST, ITA I am terribly satisfied because I took gold, which was the goal of the season. I wish I could have jumped over 1,95m to go to the Olympics, but I hope to get it in future years!. I admire the Italian Di Martino, because she is not very tall but her technic is perfect. Third - Mariya KUCHINA, RUS I hope next year I can show my better result, because I feel I can do it. When you know you can jump higher than 195, all other results do not matter. If I have jumped higher today I would not be crying right now.

I am terribly satisfied because I took gold, which was the goal of the season. I wish I could have jumped over 1,95m to go to the Olympics, Alessia Trost, ITA.

Barcelona 2012 - Flash Interviews - Women's High Jump Final

With a quartet composed of individual bronze medallist Erika Rucker in leg 1, 200m silver medallist Olivia Ekpone in leg 2, Kendall Baisden and anchor leg Ashley Spencer who dominated the 400m individual final, there was hardly ever a doubt the United States 4x400m relay team would fail to win what turned out to be the country’s fifth consecutive title in the history of the Championships. Yet their path to the final was nothing but fuild. After winning their first round heat yesterday evening, the US were disqualified along with a team of Romania for passing the baton outside the exchange zone. However, following a protest which was accepted by the judges, both teams were offered a re-run of their heat with qualification granted on condition that they would at least match the time of the eighth best team from the earlier round. As Romania did not take up the offer, the US quartet found itself having to re-run their heat earlier this morning on their own. Not only did the Americans qualify for the final, they ironically set a World Junior leading 3:34.25, and that was without individual gold medallist Spencer! As expected the Americans led tonight's final from the gun, won the race unchallenged and clocked yet another World Junior leading 3:30.01 to clinch the country’s eighth gold of these championships – before their male counterparts won the ninth. Anchored by 400m Hurdles champion Janieve Russell, Jamaica clinched silver in 3:32.97 well clear of Russia in third at 3:36.42, anchor leg Ekaterina Renzhina taking most of the credit for the medal. In fact, Russia never featured among a potential medallist until 200 metres to go after third place position kept swapping from Poland, Ukraine and Germany. After an amazing second leg run by Patrycja Wyciszkiewicz, Poland held second position only to fade to seventh at the finish. The Ukraine’s made a quick appearance in third position with one lap to go but would eventually end up fourth in 3:37.02 just ahead of Germany in 3:37.23 both teams being overtaken by the fast finishing Renzhina on the line. Laura Arcoleo for the IAAF

With a quartet composed of individual bronze medallist Erika Rucker in leg 1, 200m silver medallist Olivia Ekpone in leg 2, Kendall Baisden and anchor leg Ashley Spencer who dominated the 400m individual final, there was hardly ever a doubt  the United States 4x400m relay team would fail to win what turned out to be the country’s fifth consecutive title in the history of the Championships.


Barcelona 2012 - Event Report - Women's 4x400m Relay Final

Conseslus Kipruto became an overwhelming winner today to impressively confirm his country’s supremacy at the history of the event – actually only the inaugural title back in 1986 escaped the Kenyan’s stranglehold when Spain’s Jon Azkueta took the title over 2000m. Taking advantage of an ideal cloudy day for the stamina events – although it was also windy – the World Youth 2000m Steeplechase champion Kipruto took the lead from the gun also joined by his fellow Kenyan Gilbert Kiplangat Kirui, both the fastest in the field by far with respective times of 8:08.91 and 8:11.27. Already at the opening water jump the Kenyan duo had built a 10m lead over a chasing trio made up of Morocco’s Hicham Sigueni, Ethiopia’s Meresa Kahasay and Eritrea’s Weynay Ghebresilasie the latter setting most of the pace. The flying Kenyans went through the first kilometre in a terrific 2:40.71 – a 8:02 rhythm – while their pursuers travelled still fast but 20m behind. Kirui then moved to the front to help Kipruto keep the frantic pace alive but barely one lap later the world leader regained the top spot to hit the 2000m in 5:25:11, for a 2:44.40 second section split, the margin over the chasing trio having risen to 40 metres by then. Shortly afterwards Kirui began to lose touch and Kipruto became a lonesome leader. An interesting movement was made by the second Moroccan Jaouad Chemlal who joined his compatriot Sigueni, Kahasay and ghebresilasie some 700m remaining. At the bell Kipruto led with a handsome margin over a faltering Kirui, himself still head and shoulders ahead of the now chasing quartet. Kipruto ran an incredibly closing lap – 2:40.98 for the third kilometre - looking for a fast time and his effort was rewarded with a new stunning championships record of 8:06.10 – also a PB - while Kirui landed silver – as he already did at the World Youth last year – timed at 8:19.94. The bronze medal was finally taken by Sigueni in 8:30.14 ahead of his fellow Moroccan Chemlal (8:30.92) while Algeria’s Bilal Tabti set a national record of 8:32.08 for sixth after overtaking the faltering Ghebresilasie and Kahsay. Unlike in Moncton when Kenya won all the five men's event at 800m or longer, Kipruto’s gold medal will remain the only title taken by the country in Barcelona. Emeterio Valiente for the IAAF

Conseslus Kipruto became an overwhelming winner today to impressively confirm his country’s supremacy at the history of the event – actually only the inaugural title back in 1986 escaped the Kenyan’s stranglehold when Spain’s Jon Azkueta took the title over 2000m.


Barcelona 2012 - Event Report - Men's 3000m Steeplechase Final

WinnerNijel AMOS, BOT I am really content to get the gold today, in spite of my injured leg, it will still take some time to recover. I am proudly representing my flag today. Also, very happy to hold the Junior Record. Actually I was expecting more competition today.

I am really content to get the gold today, in spite of my injured leg, it will still take some time to recover, Nijel AMOS, BOT.

Barcelona 2012 - Flash Interviews - Men's 800m Final

WinnerAnna RUH, GER I did not start the competition very well because the ground was slippery. It took me time to adapt to the conditions. Before the last throw I thought: You can't go home with 57 metres. I just had to throw over 60m and in the final attempt it worked out. The competition was very hard with tough rivals. Second - Shanice CRAFT, GER It was tough to get into the competition because of the slippery ground but I am more than happy about the result. I just wanted to hear the German anthem on the podium and can't complain about the silver medal at all. Winning a second medal here in Barcelona is incredible. Third - Shelbi VAUGHAN, USA I am very excited although I wish that I could have placed higher. I did not reach my personal best today which was my goal. However, I can be very happy because I am still the youngest of the girls on the podium. I hope I can get better and progress in the future. The trip to Barcelona was crazy, I loved it.

I did not start the competition very well because the ground was slippery. It took me time to adapt to the conditions, Anna RUH, GER.

Barcelona 2012 - Flash Interviews - Women's Discus Throw Final

As expected there was a German 12 in the women’s Discus Throw final and as highly anticipated gold went World Junior leader Anna Rüh. But what came as a surprise was the way the competition unfolded on the last day of the championships here in Barcelona. With a personal best 63.14, Rüh came into tonight’s final confident she could become the first German champion since the legendary Ilke Wyludda took gold for the Democratic Republic back in 1986 and 1988. Meanwhile, team-mate Shanice Craft whose PB 62.92 is the second best by a junior this year, was highly motivated by the gold medal she won in the Shot Put on the opening day of the championships. Craft was the first to strike with an opening effort 58.44 which responded to Rüh’s own 55.25 but it was Shelbi Vaughan of the USA who in an attempt to gatecrash the Germans’ party unleashed a mighty 58.46 in round 2 to take the lead by a mere 2 centimetres. Meanwhile Rüh’s improved to 57.87 but still lied in third. Round 3 saw yet another change at the top despite fouls from Rüh and Vaughan as Craft managed 58.51, the lead was hers by 5 centimetres only. But as it turned out she wouldn’t enjoy that position for long as Vaughan became the first woman to break 60 metres tonight with a fourth round 60.07. Going into the final round, the scoreboard read Vaughan ahead of Craft with Rüh still in a disappointing third despite her fifth round improvement to 58.48. The blond German regrouped formidably saving her best for last and as the discus was flying in the air a loud roar from the crowd preceded the official announcement. With a mighty 62.38 last round Rüh finally managed to move to the top and she did so right when it mattered most. Although temporarily back in third, Craft proved she was no fluke and she too saved her best for last her 60.42 performance not being good for gold but enough to see her jump back in silver. Unable to improve, Vaughan had to be content with bronze after having swapped position in the lead for most of the competition. Notably there was a National Junior record 56.17 for Sositina Hakei although the New Zealander in fourth never reached the heights of the leading trio. China, who has an incredible tradition having won no fewer than 7 times the World Junior Championships title, had to be content with fifth tonight as Siyu Gu, a 60.59 performer, could only master 55.78 on the evening. Laura Arcoleo for the IAAF

2 in the women’s Discus Throw final and as highly anticipated gold went World Junior leader Anna Rüh. But what came as a surprise was the way the competition unfolded on the last day of  the championships.

Barcelona 2012 - Event Report - Women's Discus Throw Final

WinnerFaith Chepngetich KIPYEGON, KEN I am very happy to get gold medal.When I entered to stadium I saw that Conseslus got the gold medal and Gilbert got the silver medal.And it gaves me a lot of energy to run.I broke championship record.After the Olympics I want to go home to rest. Second - Amela TERZIC, SRB I am really happy about the silver medal today. The Serbian team, coaches and sponsors supported me so well and hoped for me to achieve a good result. It worked out as I ran a very good race. I felt very good. Now I just hope that I can keep the level in the senior category as well, which will be difficult. Third - Senbere TEFERI, ETH I am very happy to get bronze medal in my first international competition.

I am very happy to get gold medal.When I entered to stadium I saw that Conseslus got the gold medal and Gilbert got the silver medal.And it gaves me a lot of energy to run, Faith Chepngetich KIPYEGON, KEN.

WORLD ATHLETICS U20 CHAMPIONSHIPS

Barcelona 2012 – a dozen moments to delight

Kenya's Kipruto and Kipyegon urge and inspire each other onto success

Fast-thinking Trost slows down to clinch High Jump gold

Barcelona 2012 - Event Report - Men's 4x400m Relay Final

Barcelona 2012 - Event Report - Women's 1500m Final