Capel storms home to put pride back into US sprinting

JOHN CAPEL of the United States rescued American sprinting pride as he led home a 1-2 in the men’s 200 metres world final last night.

The 24-year-old timed 20.30sec to beat home compatriot Darvis Patton while Shingo Suetsugu won Japan's first ever sprint medal at a global championships by taking the bronze.

Capel had picked the Japanese runner out as his major rival after beating him in the semi-finals and, for one moment as they came off the bend, it looked as if the 23-year-old Suetsugu could pull off a major surprise.

However, Capel held his nerve and it was Patton, who came through to pose the late challenge.

Capel, though, just held on while Suetsugu dipped just in time to edge out Britain's Olympic 200m silver medallist Darren Campbell and after an anxious wait wept tears of joy on seeing him get the verdict over the Englishman before going on a lap of honour.

For Capel it represented vindication in his decision to return to the track after trying out with the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL and erases the nightmare of the Olympic final when his starting blocks slipped and he trailed in last.

There was to be no fairytale for veteran and 1993 champion Frankie Fredericks as the 35-year-old Namibian great was never in the race and finished seventh.

"I will keep racing until I don't reach finals anymore," said Fredericks.

"But I was happy to reach the final here especially after I felt a twinge on Thursday.

"Overall my performance gives me the confidence to come back next year."

Dwight Phillips of the United States added the men's outdoor long jump world title to his indoor crown.

Phillips leapt out to 8.32 metres in the fifth round to clinch his second global title in five months.

Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic became the first hurdler since the legendary Edwin Moses to retain the men's 400 metres hurdles world title. Sanchez, who will be 26 tomorrow, timed 47.25sec to beat home Joey Woody of the United States, while former world junior champion Periklis Iakovakis of Greece took the bronze.

Meanwhile, Gary Ryan (Nenagh Olympic) has been named by sprints coach, Paddy Fay, on the Irish 4x400m relay team for this evening's heats.

An Olympian at both the Atlanta and Sydney Games he is a former record holder over both 100m and 200m but lost out to Paul Brizzel in the qualification for this year's world championships having also achieved the B standard.

He won the 100m title for a fourth time he also won the 200m four times at the national championships and, since then, has been literally running out of his skin.

With Tomas Coman and Rob Daly both injured, the Coach was going to have go outside the specialist 400m runners and he named Ryan to take over the baton from lead off man, Paul McKee. David McCarthy will run the third leg and David Gillick will anchor them home.