Clement dominates men’s 400H

OSAKA, Japan - Kerron Clement (Gainesville, Fla.) made good on his considerable talents in the men's 400m hurdles Tuesday night, winning the event in impressive fashion at the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Championships at Nagai Stadium.

The two-time USA and Visa Outdoor champion had to wait for his moment of glory. Upon taking their marks and entering the set position, athletes were called out of their blocks by the starter. On the second attempt at a start, Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic false started. The third time was the charm as the race finally got off cleanly.

The field was even through the first three hurdles, led by Clement, Sanchez and USA champion James Carter, but 200 meters into the race, Clement made a bold move that put him well clear of the field. The world record holder indoors at 400 meters, Clement possesses world-class sprint speed, but problems with stutter-stepping over the final hurdles have at times held him back. Save a few steps before the last hurdle, there was virtually no such issue Tuesday night, as Clement entered the straightaway with a commanding lead and kept it, crossing the line in a world-leading time of 47.62 seconds. Clement was overcome with emotion at the finish, celebrating a victory that established him as a pressure-situation performer.

2004 Olympic champion Sanchez finished second in 48.01, with Marek Plawgo of Poland setting a national record in placing third (48.12). Carter (Raleigh, N.C.) was fourth in 48.40, and Derrick Williams (Fayetteville, Ark.) was seventh in 52.97, suffering from a calf cramp.

Jump finals

In the women's long jump final, 2007 NCAA champion Brittney Reese made the final cut of eight jumpers. Although she struggled to find the board throughout the night, committing three fouls, the 20-year-old finished eighth with a best mark of 6.60m/21-8. Defending world champion Tianna Madison was 10^th with 6.47m/21-2.75. Russia swept the competition, with Tatyana Lebedeva taking first with a leap of 7.03m/23-0.75, Lyudmila Kolchanova moving up to second on her final jump of 6.92m/22-8.5, and Tatyana Kotova third at 6.90m/22-7.75.

Jumping with a heavily taped left ankle, American record holder Jenn Stuczynski (Rochester, N.Y.) struggled in the women's pole vault final. She missed on her first attempt of the competition, at 4.55m/14-11, but had an easy clearance on her second try. After passing at 4.60m/15-1, she missed her first two attempts at 4.65m/15-3 before withdrawing from the rest of the competition. Shortly before she was up for her third attempt, she removed the tape from her ankle and donned her sweats. She ended in 10^th place.

Reigning world and Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia surprised no one by winning with a clearance of 4.80m/15-9. With victory assured, she moved the bar to a world-record height of 5.02m/16-5.5, but fell short of breaking her own mark of 5.01/16-5.25. Katerina Badurova of the Czech Republic was second with a national-record 4.75m/15-7, and former world record holder Svetlana Feofanova of Russia was third at the same height.

Perry poised for hurdles defense

Defending world champion Michelle Perry leads three Americans into Wednesday's 100m hurdles final, advancing from Tuesday night's semis by winning the second heat in 12.55. Two-time USA outdoor champion Ginnie Powell was fourth in the same heat in 12..67, while USA indoor champion Lolo Jones (Baton Rouge, La.) made the final by placing fourth in Heat 1 in 12.68. Nichole Denby (Champaign, Ill.) fell just one spot short advancing, placing fifth in Heat 1 in a season-best 12.80.

2007 world leader Tiffany Williams will have a chance at her first World Outdoor medal in Thursday's final of the women's 400m hurdles. The 2007 USA and Visa champion was third in the third semifinal Tuesday night, qualifying for the final on time with 54.15. 2004 Olympic Trials champion Sheena Johnson (Los Angeles, Calif.) went out very quickly in Heat 1, but ended fifth in 54.55 and did not advance. In Heat 2, Nicole Leach (Los Angeles, Calif.) was sixth in 56.10.

In the first heat of the men's 200m second round, Rodney Martin (Los Angeles, Calif.) used a strong stretch run to win in 20.25, and Wallace Spearmon (Fayetteville, Ark.) used the same tactic to place second in Heat 2, in 20.26. World 100m champion Tyson Gay (Fayetteville, Ark.) employed the opposite race plan, running a strong curve and cruising in to win the third heat in 20.08, the fastest time of the round. The trio will compete in the semifinals on Wednesday.

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Team USA Medal Table

Gold (3)

Tyson Gay (Fayetteville, Ark.), M100m, 9.85

Kerron Clement (Gainesville, Fla.), M400H, 47.61

Reese Hoffa (Athens, Ga.), MSP, 22.04m/72-3.75

Silver (2)

Adam Nelson (Charlottesville, Va.), MSP, 21.61m/70-10.75

Lauryn Williams (Miami, Fla.), W100m, 11.01

Bronze (3)

Walter Davis (Baton Rouge, La.), MTJ, 17.33m/56-10.75

Carmelita Jeter (Long Beach, Calif.), W100, 11.02

Kara Goucher (Portland, Ore), W10,000m, 32:02.05

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For complete results, quotes and Team USA reports, visit www.usatf.org

Fans can watch Team USA on national television broadcasts on NBC and Versus, or online via live, daily Webcast at www.wcsn.com. For complete TV listings, visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2007/IAAFWorldOutdoorChampionships/TVSchedule.asp