Isinbayeva fails to clear height in pole vault; Bekele, Jamaican sprinters rule worlds

Isinbayeva loses pole vault title at worlds

BERLIN — Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva could not explain it. The woman who ruled the pole vault for five years failed to clear height Monday and was out of the world championships.

Kenenisa Bekele and the Jamaican sprinters, however, were as predictable as ever. Bekele extended his domination in the 10,000 meters with a fourth straight world title and Shelly-Ann Fraser added one to her Olympic gold in the 100.

Isinbayeva had won all major titles since the 2004 Athens Games and saw a difficult year hit an unexpected low when the bar fell on her while attempting 15 feet, 9 inches. As the Russian held her head in despair, Anna Rogowska of Poland, who beat her at a meet in London last month, celebrated unexpected gold by clearing 15-7.

“I don’t have any particular explanation what happened with me, why I lost today,” Isinbayeva said. “Everything was perfect. I just believe that it’s destiny. This sport, sometimes it happens. I feel sad because I don’t have any reason.”

Unlike Isinbayeva, Bekele didn’t use 10 fingers to hide his face. He was holding up just one to show he remains the undisputed No. 1 when entering the final straightaway. He used his famed final kick to beat Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea by about 20 meters and immediately went on a victory lap with his Ethiopian teammates.

Equaling the four world titles of Haile Gebrselassie, Bekele is challenging him as Africa’s greatest distance runner. He will decide later whether to go for a long-distance double.

Over the shortest distances, Jamaica emerged ever stronger as the greatest nation.

Fraser blasted from the blocks and led throughout to give Jamaica its second sprint gold in two days. Usain Bolt won the men’s 100 in a world record time of 9.58 seconds Sunday.

“It is a motiviation because Usain Bolt was really magificent,” Fraser said. “We have to ride the occasion.”

Fraser finished in 10.73 seconds, and behind her, fast approaching teammate Kerron Stewart finished in 10.75, also crossing in a blur of Jamaican yellow. U.S. champion Carmelita Jeter was never in the race and finished third in 10.90, edging defending champion Veronica Campbell-Brown, a third Jamaican in the top four.

The American problems didn’t end there. Tyson Gay said he would not compete in a rematch with 100-meter champion Usain Bolt in the 200 later this week because of an ailing groin.

“This decision will give me the best chance to be ready for the (400) relay,” he said. “I want to help our relay as best I can.”

Gay’s withdrawal left the Americans under more pressure in the battle for sprint domination with the Jamaicans, a race they now trail 2-0.

Isinbayeva’s defeat was not the only big setback for Russia. Olympic champion Gulnara Galkina fell back over the final lap in the steeplechase, allowing Marta Dominguez of Spain to win.

Dominguez, the silver medalist at the 2001 and 2003 worlds, raced past Yuliya Zarudneva of Russia in the last 100 meters and waved her orange head band in celebration. Milcah Chemos Cheywa of Kenya was third and Galkina finished fourth.

Olympic champion Primoz Kozmus of Slovenia won the gold in the hammer throw, beating former Olympic champion Szymon Ziolkowski of Poland. Aleksey Zagornyi of Russia took bronze.

Yargelis Savigne of Cuba successfully defended her triple jump title, and compatriot Mabel Gay picked up the silver.

The biggest surprise came in the women’s 800 semifinals when Pamela Jelimo stepped off the track after falling behind. The 19-year-old Kenyan stopped running with 250 meters to go. She had been troubled by injury this season after a 16-for-16 season last year.

Caster Semenya of South Africa, who won her semifinal heat, is the favorite for Wednesday’s final. Defending champion Janeth Jepkosgei finished third in her heat and advanced on time.