Having been upstaged in the 100m final, the American sprinters had something to prove tonight in the men's 200m.
After some nervousness before the start the field were away evenly. Former Kansas City Chief and Chicago Bear John CAPEL (USA) ran a powerful bend from lane six. Entering the straight he was half a metre up on Darren CAMPBELL (GBR) with the rest of the field in a line just further back.
With Capel, an Olympic finalist, running strongly in the straight it was time for his team-mate Darvis PATTON to make his move. Fresh from a personal best, 20.03, in the semi-final Patton overtook all but Capel down the stretch.
Capel and Patton lunged at the line locked together. It took a few moments before the victory was given to Capel. His winning time of 20.30 was the slowest ever at a world championships, and the slowest in a global 200m final since Henry CARR's (USA) 20.36 in Tokyo in 1964.
Patton, the US champion, was a fraction away in second, being awarded a time of 20.31.
The minor places were a blur across the track. Campbell lost his advantage by dipping for the line too early. Stephane BUCKLAND (MRI) and Shingo SUETSUGU (JPN) were also in the mix. Suetsugu, the Asian record-holder, appeared to fling himself at the line, timing the move to perfection. Once again there was a delay before the photo finish could determine the placings. Third was given to Suetsugu, 20.38, the news bringing the Asian champion to tears.
Campbell was a hundredth further back, just failing to add to the bronze he won in the 100m. Buckland who had looked impressive in the previous two rounds was fifth in 20.41.
The third American Joshua J Johnson looked uneasy in lane one and was only able to manage sixth, 20.47.
Running in his fifth world championship final (he was unable to start the final in 1999) 35 year-old Frankie FREDERICKS (NAM) could not add to his collection of one gold and three silver medals.
Silver medallist from the 2002 Commonwealth Games and a 100m finalist here, Uchenna EMEDOLU (NGR), was eighth in 20.62.
After some nervousness before the start the field were away evenly. Former Kansas City Chief and Chicago Bear John CAPEL (USA) ran a powerful bend from lane six. Entering the straight he was half a metre up on Darren CAMPBELL (GBR) with the rest of the field in a line just further back.
With Capel, an Olympic finalist, running strongly in the straight it was time for his team-mate Darvis PATTON to make his move. Fresh from a personal best, 20.03, in the semi-final Patton overtook all but Capel down the stretch.
Capel and Patton lunged at the line locked together. It took a few moments before the victory was given to Capel. His winning time of 20.30 was the slowest ever at a world championships, and the slowest in a global 200m final since Henry CARR's (USA) 20.36 in Tokyo in 1964.
Patton, the US champion, was a fraction away in second, being awarded a time of 20.31.
The minor places were a blur across the track. Campbell lost his advantage by dipping for the line too early. Stephane BUCKLAND (MRI) and Shingo SUETSUGU (JPN) were also in the mix. Suetsugu, the Asian record-holder, appeared to fling himself at the line, timing the move to perfection. Once again there was a delay before the photo finish could determine the placings. Third was given to Suetsugu, 20.38, the news bringing the Asian champion to tears.
Campbell was a hundredth further back, just failing to add to the bronze he won in the 100m. Buckland who had looked impressive in the previous two rounds was fifth in 20.41.
The third American Joshua J Johnson looked uneasy in lane one and was only able to manage sixth, 20.47.
Running in his fifth world championship final (he was unable to start the final in 1999) 35 year-old Frankie FREDERICKS (NAM) could not add to his collection of one gold and three silver medals.
Silver medallist from the 2002 Commonwealth Games and a 100m finalist here, Uchenna EMEDOLU (NGR), was eighth in 20.62.
