Richards romps to 400 m glory

ATHLETICS: Golden League jackpot winner Sanya Richards put in another commanding performance as the American picked up her third consecutive World Athletics Final win over 400metres here on Sunday.

The 22-year-old, who picked up 500,000 dollars after this season's six Golden League wins, beat a strong field including British world champion Christine Ohuruogu for the second time in a week after last weekend's triumph in Berlin.

Richards equalled her own world-leading time of 49.27seconds and left world bronze medallist Jamaica's Novlene Williams in second as Ohuruogu came third.

"I really wanted to run sub-49 today but I guess 49.2 is not so bad," said Richards. "I felt really strong, I didn't watch anyone else in the race like I sometimes do."

There was an upset on the opening track event on day two as Australian world champion Jana Rawlinson was beaten on the line by Osaka bronze medallist Anna Jesien in the 400metres hurdles.

Poland's Jesien won in 54.17seconds, while in the 800metres Janeth Jepkosgei again demonstrated she is without a peer.

With another commanding performance, the 24-year-old Kenyan dominated the field with a winning time of 1minute 57.87seconds.

"I like to run from the front because I can control myself and the other girls," said Jepkosgei. "It's much easier for me to do it this way."

After a brief early show from Sweden's Mustafa Mohamed, the men's 3000metres became a one-man display as Paul Kipsiele Koech, the fastest man in the world this year took over to win in a time of 8minutes 00.67 seconds.

There was a surprise in the men's 200 metres with Gambian-born Norwegian Jaysuma Saidy Ndure pulling off victory in 19.89 seconds leaving Osaka bronze medalist Wallace Spearmon struggling in his wake.

And Cuba's Dayron Robles won the men's 110m hurdles in style with a time of 12.92 seconds, matching the world-leading time of Liu Xiang set in June.

Continuing her impressive form at the end of the season, America's Carmelita Jeter ran away from a high-calibre field to take the 100metres in 11.10 seconds.

"I just concentrated on my thing, not getting nervous about the big names in this competitive race," said Jeter.

She powered through the last 50 metres to win decisively over Allyson Felix, the World 200m champion.

Kenya's Edwin Soi pulled off the middle-distance double when he added Sunday's 5,000 metres title to the 3,000 metres title he won here on Saturday.

STUTTGART, Germany, Monday (AFP)