IAAF World Championship in Beijing brings gold for Belarusian Marina Arzamasova in 800m sprint, and hurdles bronze for Alina Talay.
Marina Arzamasova celebrates victory in final race
The winner of last year’s world forum, Eunice Sum, was viewed as the favourite, while the Kenyans also looked impressive. However, Belarusian Marina Arzamasova led the distance, judging her rivals’ strategy early on, where they tried to dictate a slow pace, rather than allowing her to speed ahead.
Marina performed brilliantly, leaving Sum and Canada’s Melissa Bishop behind. Her speed, which became apparent in early rounds, is now needed at the Rio Olympics, to be held next year.
Alina Talay pleased with her result
After the race, Marina undertook a lap of honour, as champion. At the same time, the Bird’s Nest Stadium was hosting the awards ceremony for the 100m hurdles, with Belarusian Alina Talay claiming bronze. On her path to success, Alina gradually improved her speed: from an initial 12.87 seconds to a personal record in the semi-finals of 12.70 seconds. In the finals, she repeated the Belarusian record, ahead of such prominent athletes as America’s Brianna Rollins and Sharika Nelvis and the UK’s Tiffany Porter.
President Alexander Lukashenko has congratulated Marina and Alina on their IAAF World Championship medals.
By Igor Leshin
