Several nations win first medals in Daegu

DAEGU -- Only one world record was set at the 2011 World Championship -- set by sprinting powerhouse Jamaica in the last 4x100m race on Sunday -- but the nine-day event saw a number other records established, including countries’ first medals.

Kirani James brought home the first medal Grenada has ever won in either the Olympics or Athletics World Championships by taking gold in the men’s 400 meters.

James had gone mostly unnoticed throughout the season, and at19 years of age, had only competed in only one professional race before the championships.

Amantle Montsho, from Botswana, was another to win her country’s first international track and field medal, taking gold in the women’s 400.

Another first gold was achieved for Brazil by Fabiana Murer in the women’s pole vault.

Zimbabwe’s Ngonidzashe Makusha, also brought home his country’s first medal in the world championships after a stellar performance in the men’s long jump for bronze.

Colombia was also on the medal-less list before Daegu but won two bronzes this year in the women’s triple jump and the men’s 20-kilometer race walk.

Others scoring first medals for their nations included Latvia’s Ineta Radevica and Iran’s Ehsan Hadadi, both taking bronze in the women’s long jump and the men’s discus, respectively, and Sudan’s Abubaker Kaki in the men’s 800m.

Along with the rise of new champions from countries not usually known for track and field, the championships also recorded its oldest medalist.

Kim Collins, 35, the oldest 100-meters medalist in the history of the championships is also Saint Kitts and Nevis’ sole medal winner, bringing home four medals over the past 10 years, including a bronze this year.

Another record was made by Portugal’s Susana Feitor, who was the first athlete to compete in 11 world championships, coming sixth in the 20-kilometer race walk.

By Robert Lee

(robert@heraldcorp.com)