Although already a well known athlete, following her European title last year in Munich, Carolina KLÜFT (SWE) has moved onto a new level at the 2003 World Championships.
Following her perfect day one, she was able to overcome early problems in the Long Jump, where she had two fouls, and manage a reasonable 6.68m with her last jump.
In the Javelin, she threw her best result during a Heptathlon competition, 49.90m, only 0.34 centimetres off her personal best of 50.24m, set earlier this season.
At this stage it was already clear that the Swede could become the third woman to break the magic 7000 point barrier, plus the standing European record of 7007 points held by Larisa NIKITINA (URS) from 1989.
Klüft knew that she needed to run fast to get there and after a brave 62 seconds first lap in the 800m she finished second, behind Yelena PROKHOROVA (RUS), in 2:12.12, another personal best to give her five pbs from the seven events.
With a final score of 7001 points, which moves her to third place in the world all-time list, behind world record holder Jackie Joyner-Kersee (7291), and European record holder Nikitina (7007).
The 800m did not offer any other surprises, as Eunice BARBER (FRA) finished second with a total of 6755 points.
Although Prokohorova tried her best in the 800m, she was only able to gain about half the points she needed to overhaul Natalya SAZANOVICH (BLR) for the bronze medal. Prokhorova, the Edmonton world champion, finished the 800m in 2:08.31 for a total of 6452, enough for fourth place. Sazanovich, not usually a very fast 800m runner, ran better than she has in recent heptathlons, recording 2:16.53, which easily gave her third place and a total of 6524 points.
2000 Sydney Olympic champion Denise LEWIS (GBR) was far off her best form, but still managed to finish in fifth place with a total of 6254 points.
