An overwhelming favourite for the women's 800m title, Maria MUTOLA (MOZ), had things go to plan tonight in the final.
With the late withdrawal of Stephanie GRAF (AUT) due to a domestic accident, there seemed to be little chance of Mutola being beaten. Having spent a decade at the top of the two-lap running tree she has conquered all comers this season with the enthusiasm of a youngster.
Away quickly with the gun she did enough to get to the front as the runners settled in on the back straight. She was closely followed by a bunched field with Diane CUMMINS (CAN) and Natalya KHRUSHCHELYOVA (RUS) prominent.
The 200m mark was passed in a solid 28.16. Over the next half lap Mutola allowed the pace to slow, stacking the field further.
The bell was reached in a pedestrian 61.20. Around the the third bend Mutola's training partner, Kelly HOLMES (GBR), forced her way towards the front.
At 600m the time was 1:32.32. At this point Holmes burst to the front in what seemed to be an orchestrated plan. She held the lead until 50m to go, with Mutola powering her way to the line in 1:59.89.
Holmes hung on for second in 2:00.18, with Khrushchelyova closing rapidly for third (2:00.29). Moroccan, Amina AIT HAMMOU was the next best of the rest with 2:01.09.
For Mutola, this is her third outdoor World crown, having won also in 1993 and 2001. At present she is at the peak of her powers and can seemingly win off any pace.
For Holmes it is her first World Championships medal since a bronze (800m) and silver (1500m) way back in Gothenburg in 1995. For Khrushchelyova it's her first major medal.
With the late withdrawal of Stephanie GRAF (AUT) due to a domestic accident, there seemed to be little chance of Mutola being beaten. Having spent a decade at the top of the two-lap running tree she has conquered all comers this season with the enthusiasm of a youngster.
Away quickly with the gun she did enough to get to the front as the runners settled in on the back straight. She was closely followed by a bunched field with Diane CUMMINS (CAN) and Natalya KHRUSHCHELYOVA (RUS) prominent.
The 200m mark was passed in a solid 28.16. Over the next half lap Mutola allowed the pace to slow, stacking the field further.
The bell was reached in a pedestrian 61.20. Around the the third bend Mutola's training partner, Kelly HOLMES (GBR), forced her way towards the front.
At 600m the time was 1:32.32. At this point Holmes burst to the front in what seemed to be an orchestrated plan. She held the lead until 50m to go, with Mutola powering her way to the line in 1:59.89.
Holmes hung on for second in 2:00.18, with Khrushchelyova closing rapidly for third (2:00.29). Moroccan, Amina AIT HAMMOU was the next best of the rest with 2:01.09.
For Mutola, this is her third outdoor World crown, having won also in 1993 and 2001. At present she is at the peak of her powers and can seemingly win off any pace.
For Holmes it is her first World Championships medal since a bronze (800m) and silver (1500m) way back in Gothenburg in 1995. For Khrushchelyova it's her first major medal.
