Estonia's Margus Hunt, who set a new world junior record in the men's discus qualificying on Tuesday, continued his miraculous form yesterday winning the gold medal in the men's discus with another record-breaking performance at the 11th IAAF World Junior Championships at Beijing Chaoyang Sports Centre.
The 19-year-old broke his new record twice in the final, reaching 67.32 metres, and won the gold medal easily. He was followed by Mohammad Samimi from Iran and Martin Wierig from Germany.
"It seems good and it's unbelievable that I threw 67 metres," said the giant Hunt, who stands 2.03 metres tall. "I hoped to throw 66 when I came in and it is fantastic. I was in a good mood and I was in good shape. Yesterday's qualification proved that I could also throw far today. I tried to throw as far as I could."
Leading into yesterday's final with a record 65.88 metres on Tuesday, Hunt improved to 66.68 metres on the fourth attempt and then 67.32 metres in the sixth.
It was also the first gold medal for his country in the World Junior Championships.
Two other medallists also improved their personal best. The silver-winning Samimi set a new national record with 63.00 metres, while the bronze medallist Wierig reached 62.17 metres.
The unveiling of the fastest young man and woman was the other highlight of the day.
In the men's 100 metres, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey from Britain, the 2005 world youth 100m and 200m champion, claimed the gold with 10.37 seconds. Justyn Warner from Canada won the silver 0.02 seconds behind, while Jamaica's Yohan Blake settled for the bronze with 10.42 seconds.
"I feel very excited since it is my first world junior championships," said the 18-year-old Briton. "I hope to be back at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games."
China's Liang Jiahong finished fifth, the best result ever achieved by a Chinese racer in the event.
"Throughout the competition I have found a gap with the world top young sprinters," said Liang.
On the women's side, Tezdzhan Naimova from Bulgaria won the gold with 11.28 seconds, followed by Gabby Mayo from the US and Carrie Russell from Jamaica.
In the earlier competitions, Bianca Perie from Romania claimed the gold in the women's hammer with 67.38 metres, followed by Anna Bulgakova of Russia with 65.73 metres.
China's Hao Shuai added a bronze for the hosts with 64.26 metres.
"I feel disappointed about my results since my average distance in training is over 65 metres and my goal was the gold medal here," said Hao, after her third best result the year. "I learned a lot from this competition. I'm still young and I hope I can do better next time."
Zhang Xiaoyi gave China one more bronze in the men's long jump, following gold-winning Australia's Robert Crowther and silver medallist Antone Belt from the US.
Ranking first in qualifying, Zhang bowed to the pressure in his gold quest on home soil.
"I was here for the gold but I failed," Zhang said after the competition as burst into tears. "I will strive for the gold next time."
In the last race of the, men's 10,000 metres final, Ibrahim Jeilan Gashu from Ethiopia took the gold, followed by Joseph Ebuya from Kenya and Aadam Ismaeel Khamis from Brunei.
(China Daily 08/17/2006 page16)
