Iron Man `Thomas Dvorak`

In the decathlon, Thomas Dvorak of the Czech Republic reclaimed the gold medal position in the 8th World Championship in Track and Field. This medal is his consecutive third gold medal. Dvorak, the champion in 1997 and 1999, scored 8902 and beat Erikinoul (8815.Estonia) and Dean Macey (8603, Britain). Dean O’Brien of US had earned gold medals in the three consecutive decathlon in 1991~1995 for the first time in the history of the decathlon; and Dvorark succeeds him for the second time.

During the half of the game, Dvorak was behind Macey by one point, however, he earned the gold medal by winning the 110 hurdle race that gave him 1000 point.

Meanwhile, Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic, who became the first man to break 9,000 points earlier this year with the world record of 9026 point, was ranked only the 10th.

While Sydney Olympic gold medallist Heiche Drecksler (Germany) was absent due to her injury. Fiona May, the lithe Briton who now runs for Italy, recorded 7m 02 in the woman’s long jump and beat Tatyana Kotova of Russia with 1 cm (7m 01),she claimed the gold 6 years ago.

This gold medal is more special for May since she was once defeated by Niurka Montalbo (Spain) who committed obvious fault yet won the game with advantage of home ground.

Gabriela Szabo of Romania won the 1,500 with 4:00.57, defeating her countrywoman Viloetta Szekelly (4:01.70). This is her second gold.

In the women’s 400, Amy Mbacke Thiam, the first Senegalese woman to earn the gold, won with a time of 49.86 seconds, beating Lorraine Fenton of Jamaica (0.002 second).

Yang Jong-Koo yjongk@donga.com