Duarte underscores Steeplechase form - French champs, day 1

The first day of French Championships held at René-Gaillard Stadium delivered seven National titles on Friday (3). While Mélina Robert-Michon captured her 8th French crown in a row, the remaining six champions won their first title ever, symbolising a "new look" team.

Sprinters were delighted by the sunny weather and tail wind during the qualification rounds for this weekend’s finals. These Championships serve as the last chance for French athletes to achieve their Federation’s qualifying standards for the Osaka IAAF World Championships (25 August – 2 September). However, on Friday, none added their name to the list of 23 athletes who have already set the standards.

Duarte takes hard fought Steeplechase title

The women's 3000m Steeplechase was regarded as the most competitive race of the day. The three favourites lined up in order to confirm the national leadership in the event which has changed hands several times recently. Indeed, Elodie Olivares, the national record holder with 9:33.12 since 2002, lost the record to Julie Coulaud this year, who broke it twice this season (9:32.08 and 9:31.43), before Sophie Duarte took it down to 9:29.01. As expected, the trio made the race into a tactical one where Duarte would eventually demonstrate her authority and finish speed.

“With Coulaud and Olivares in the race, I was expecting something tough, but I took the race in my hands at the right moment,” explained Duarte, the clear winner in 9:39.01, who bested Olivares (9:41.90) and Coulaud (9:43.96).

First national crown for N’Zola

Triple Jumper Theresa N’Zola, the French revelation of the year after a surprising bronze medal at European Indoor Championships and a win at the SPAR European Cup with a 14.69 national record, didn’t miss the occasion to capture her first title.

“The gold medal was my sole goal, that medal was the only thing I was looking for,” said the 23-year-old Frenchwoman after her 14.14 win. “Technically, it wasn’t a good competition for me as I never managed to hit the board, but it didn’t matter”. Her series, under the level of performance N’Zola has shown this season, reflected her difficulties to adjust her run-up marks with changing winds : 13.92 (wind +0.9) / foul / 13.89 (+1.5) / 13.86 (+1.8) / 14.12 (+1.3) / 14.14 (+3.2) All of her jumps were still well over the second placer Amy Zongo (13.78). N’Zola is now looking forward to Osaka with high ambitions: “My aim is to reach the final. It will be the occasion to gain experience as it is my shortcoming.”

In the Discus Throw, Mélina Robert-Michon (61.40) and Bertrand Vili (61.05) won the women's and men's titles by large margins, about eight metres and five metres, respectively. The other winners of the day were Frédéric Fouzy in the Hammer Throw (70.80), Malik Bahloul in the 5000m (13:51.28) and Mandy Loriou in the women's 20km Race Walk in 1:45:17.

No surprises in sprint qualifying

The first round of the men's 100m produced several personal and season bests, favoured by generous tailwinds. The fastest Frenchmen are trying to qualify for the individual 100m in Osaka, but they also need to set up a team able to defend their World crown in the 4x100m Relay. The 2005 team was composed of Ladji Doucouré, Ronald Pognon, Eddy De Lepine and Luéyi Dovy.

Doucouré isn lining up in 110m Hurldes on Saturday, De Lepine is focusing on the 200m on Sunday, 100m national record holder Pognon is injured and out for Osaka, and Dovy had to confirm in front of his home crowd that he still is a force. He did just that during the opening round of the 100m with the fourth fastest time overall (10.38 with +2.0m/s wind). The fastest of the day was Martial Mbandjock in 10.21 (wind +2.5), who remains the favourite for Saturday’s final. Manuel Reynart (10.33) and Daniel Adolia (10.34) all with +2.0 winds, posted the other fastest times and will battle along with Dovy for their place in the relay. David Alerte, the second fastest French performer of the year at 100m, will face De Lepine in the 200m with the aim to confirm his national leadership in the longer sprint.

Christine Arron and Muriel Hurtis, the two fastest Frenchwomen, will also focus on the 200m whose heats are planned on Saturday. In their absence, Sylvianne Félix was the fastest in the 100m heats (11.36 with +1.8 wind) over Carima Louami (11.37, +2.8). The battle for Saturday’s final promises to be very close.

In the 400m, Leslie Djhone will be eager to defend his national title in the absence of European champion Marc Raquil, who is out for the season through injury. Djhone, who ran 45.90 in heats, will face Brice Panel who has broken the 46sec barrier twice this year, and was the second fastest in the opening round with 46.28.