BERLIN — Just one throw. That’s all Casey Malone needed Tuesday to advance to today’s finals of the men’s discus throw at the world championships.
The University of Colorado assistant track and field coach and former CSU star recorded a toss of 213 feet, 8 inches — the fifth-best effort after the qualifying round.
“It’s great to be one and done,” Malone said. “The throw felt technically sound, so I’m happy with it.
“I couldn’t ask for a better performance in the morning than getting it done quickly. There are 15 competitors in that preliminary. If you don’t do it for your first throw, you are sitting around for 15 minutes before you get another.”
Germany’s Robert Harting had the best throw of the round at 219-2, well below Malone’s personal record of 224-8.
Adding to the Americans’ solid day, Sanya Richards dominated a little bit like Usain Bolt. Then she danced a little like him too.
A big occasion called for the “Dallas Boogie,” a little jig Richards came up with and showed off after winning the 400 meters. The debut of the dance was the punctuation on a night that had been a long time in the making. With one trip around the track, Richards showed she can win on the brightest stage. She now has that elusive first major title in her signature event to prove it.
“I’m overwhelmed and excited to be finally standing on top of the podium,” Richards said. “It’s the best feeling in the world.”
Running with confidence and conviction, Richards overwhelmed the field, finishing in 49 seconds flat. She even held off a Jamaican — Shericka Williams — for the win, something that has been difficult for the Americans to do.
Richards’ top rival, Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu of Britain, was a distant fifth.
“I just couldn’t match that today,” Ohuruogu said. “Sanya Richards ran a splendid race. . . . It was a brilliant time. I think she wanted it a little bit more than the rest of us.”
Kerron Clement defended his title in the 400 hurdles (even avoiding a fallen hurdle in a neighboring lane) while Bershawn Jackson grabbed the bronze despite a nagging hamstring injury.
“This was a great experience,” Clement said.
Bolt breezed through the first two rounds of the 200.
Hardly pushed in the quarterfinals, Bolt just strolled along, looking around as he leisurely traveled toward the finish line.
“Just trying to get through the rounds,” said Bolt, who advanced to today’s semifinals. “I’m trying to do it round by round like last year. Then I’ll go to the finals and just execute.”
Asked if he would attempt to top his world mark in the final Thursday, Bolt played coy.
“I’ll be running hard,” he said.
With Tyson Gay pulling out of the 200 because of a groin injury, Bolt’s top competitor might be Jamaican teammate Steve Mullings, who had the fastest quarterfinal time. Americans Shawn Crawford and Wallace Spearmon might have something to say about it, as well.
