Bryan Clay (USA) emerged from the first of the decathlon’s ten events with a significant lead, thanks to a 10.43 in the 100 metres. Running in the last of four heats, the Olympic silver medallist was nudged along by a 3.2 mps wind (still under the allowable limit for combined events) and was close to his career best of 10.36 to start his two-day quest for the title.
Clay’s 992 points gave him a 38-point advantage over Kristjan Rahnu (EST), who won the second heat in 10.59. The young Estonian, who has seemingly inherited the mantle of former Olympic champion Erki Nool, also had a strong start earlier this year at the European Indoor Championships before an injury forced him out on the first day.
Hamdi Dhouibi (TUN) and Jaakko Ojaniemi (FIN) benefited from being assigned to Clay’s heat as they were pulled by the American (and pushed by the wind) to equal 10.67 times to give them each a share of third place with 935 points.
The other two heat winners were Paul Terek (USA), in eighth place after his PB 10.83, and Aleksandr Pogorelov (RUS), holding ninth with a 10.86 time.
Athens champion Roman Sebrle (CZE), who still has yet to win at the World Championships, rested in 11th after running 10.91, significantly off his 10.64 lifetime best.
Sebrle’s countryman, three-time world champion Tomás Dvorák, was similarly off his top level with a 10.94 as he currently holds 13th.
The field lost a significant competitor when Dmitriy Karpov (KAZ), the bronze winner in both Paris and Athens, was disqualified from the 100 metres after two false starts. In addition, the reigning Asian champion, Vitaliy Smirnov (UZB), appeared to suffer a hamstring strain midway through the sprint event as he limped home in 18.28. Both athletes have decided not to continue.
