Posted: August 19, 2005

Athletics: Americans win in Zurich

Justin Gatlin, Sanya Richards, Jeremy Wariner, Michelle Perry and Dominique Arnold all were winners in their respective events on a rainy Friday night at the Weltklasse Golden League meet in Zurich, Switzerland.

The 2005 World Outdoor Championships women's 400m silver medalist, Richards won her specialty in the fastest time in the world this year and career best time of 48.92 seconds. Richards' performance betters her previous world-leading time this year of 49.28 seconds set in winning the 2005 USA Outdoor Championship earlier this summer in Carson, Calif.

2005 world outdoor champion Tonique Williams-Darling of the Bahamas was the runner-up in 49.30, with Americans Monique Hennagan (50.24) and DeeDee Trotter (50.43) placing third and fourth respectively.

Helsinki world outdoor championships fourth-place finisher Dominique Arnold was the winner of the men's 110m hurdles with the second-fastest time of his career of 13.03 seconds. Reigning Olympic champion Liu Xiang of China was the runner-up in 13.12, with Americans Allen Johnson (13.26) and Terrence Trammell (13.27) placing fourth and fifth respectively.

Reigning world and Olympic champions Justin Gatlin and Jeremy Wariner continued their winning ways as Gatlin enjoyed a convincing victory in the men's 100 meters in 10.14 seconds. Portugal's Francis Obikwelu was the runner-up in 10.22, with Ghana's Aziz Zakari the third place finisher, also timed in 10.22.

Wariner also looked strong in winning the 400 meters in 44.67 seconds, with Canada's world championships bronze medalist Christopher Tyler the runner-up in 44.96 and Bahamian Christopher Brown placing third in 44.97. 2005 world outdoor championships silver medalist Andrew Rock placed fourth in 45.04.

2005 world outdoor championships gold medalist Michelle Perry continued her world domination this season in the 100m hurdles with her victory in 12.55 seconds. Jamaica's world championships bronze medalist Brigitte Foster-Hylton was the runner-up in 12.69 and 2004 Olympic gold medalist Joanna Hayes was third in 12.79.

2005 world outdoor women's 100m champion Lauryn Williams set a new personal best with her runner-up finish Friday night in 10.88 seconds, the third-fastest time in the world this year. Her performance betters her previous PR of 10.91 set earlier this year in Lausanne on July 5. Jamaica's Veronica Campbell won the race in 10.85 seconds, the second-fastest time in the world in 2005.

Impressive performances were turned in by Americans in the men's 1,500 meters as Bernard Lagat finished as the runner-up in 3:31.04, with 2005 world outdoor championships finalist Alan Webb placing third in 3:33.40.

Elsewhere, the women's 400m hurdles mirrored the order of finish from Helsinki as Russian world champion Yuliya Pechonkina won the race in 53.30 seconds with world champs silver medalist Lashinda Demus finishing as the runner-up in 53.83 and Helsinki bronze medalist Sandra Glover placing third in 53.91.

In field event action, 2005 world championships silver medalist Brad Walker was the runner-up in the men's pole vault with a clearance of 5.60 meters/18 feet, 4.50 inches, and 2004 Olympic Trials champion Jamie Nieto placed fourth in the men's high jump with a successful leap of 2.20m/7-2.50.

For more information on the Weltklasse Zurich meet, including the complete results, visit IAAF.org.