Michael Schrader wins decathlon at Hypo Meeting; Nataliya Dobrynska takes heptathlon

Schrader, Dobrynska win at Hypo Meeting

GOETZIS, Austria — Michael Schrader of Germany won the decathlon at the Hypo Meeting on Sunday after scoring a year-high 8,522 points to edge Trey Hardee of the United States by six points, the smallest winning margin in the event’s 35-year history.

Olympic champion Nataliya Dobrynska won the women’s heptathlon, beating Ukrainian teammates Hanna Melnychenko and Lyudmyla Yosypenko.

Hardee was leading before finishing 14th in the 800 meters, the final discipline. Schrader was second and earned enough points to overtake Hardee.

“This takes my breath away, it’s unbelievable,” Schrader said. “I was just hoping to get in the top five. Winning in Goetzis was a huge goal in my career. Now I’ve reached it.”

Pascal Behrenbruch of Germany was third with 8,374 points, ahead of world record-holder Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic, who had 8,348. Oleksiy Kasyanov of Ukraine, who led after the opening day, finished fifth with 8,286.

Olympic champion Bryan Clay of the United States skipped the event because of a lack of training.

Dobrynska, who was third after Saturday’s four disciplines, won the 800 in 2 minutes, 12.96 seconds for a total of 6,558 points.

“I was very upset after the first day. I took it too easy,” Dobrynska said. “I am happy I had enough strength to turn it around today.”

Melnychenko finished second, 113 points behind. Yosypenko, who led overnight, was 198 points back.