Showing posts with label FOCUS ATHLETES. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FOCUS ATHLETES. Show all posts

Steve Mullings in Memory of Track and Field

>> August 22, 2011

When Marion Jones was sentenced to prison a few years ago for lying in the investigation of performance enhancer-drug, Ben Johnson in an interview advised her to accept what has happened, back to normal life and just go forward. 

Such advices may apply to Steve Mullings too, as he would face a lifetime ban from athletics.

In June 2004, Steve Mullings was tested positive of banned substance or having excessive levels of testosterone found during the Jamaican national championships in Kingston. Here he was suspended two years under the rule of IAAF for first offence.

Mullings was back in athletics in 2006 but he could not reach his performance level as before. He recorded 10.31 in 100m and 20.54 in 200m. 

A year later he won silver medal at the 4x100m relays in the World championships in Osaka. 

In 2009, he was part of Jamaican team alongside Michael Frater, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell that won the gold medal at 4x100m (37.30) in the World championships in Berlin. it was the highest performance achieved by Mullings in the major meets.

Fast forward, he looked very impressive in 2011. 

Breaking the 10s barrier was something that he had never done (and only the very best will do), but the 28-year-old ran sub-10 seven times this year.  

It included his 9.80 run from the Diamond league meet in Eugene, just one hundredth of a second slower than the best time of Ben Johnson and Maurice Greene.

Even with such impressive result, he noted that he is still in the middle of heavy training and expecting to improve the time during the world championships. 

His current result makes him the third fastest in the world, and sits in sixth on the all-time rankings. 

The following is Steve Mullings' progression at 100 meters, and his sub10 performance lists.

Year
100 meters
2011
9.80  +1.3  Eugene USA  01 June
9.89  +2.0  Clermont USA  21 May
9.90  +2.0  Starkville USA  16 April
9.93  +1.4  Arzana ITA  30 July
9.96  +0.6  Kingston JAM  24 June
9.97  -0.2  Ostrava CZE  31 May
9.98  +0.6  Lignano Sabbiadoro ITA  19 July
2010
10.03  +1.2  Lappeenranta FIN  15 July
2009
10.01  +0.4  Roma ITA  10 July
2008
10.19  +2.0  Gainesville USA  04 April
2007
10.05  +1.3  Zaragoza ESP  28 July
2006
10.31  -0.3  Tessaloniki GRE  24 July
2005
-
2004
10.04  -0.1  Kingston JAM  27 June
2003
10.28  +1.1  Austin USA  04 April
2002
10.69  -2.2  Kingston JAM  21 June
2001
10.59  +0.7  Santa Fe USA  18 October
Courtesy of AdrianSprints.com

While Mullings and his coach Lance Brauman in their final preparations towards the biggest meet in the world, his 'A' urine sample taken at the Jamaican nationals in late June was found to contain a masking agent namely diuretic furosemide, which is known a powerful substance to increase  'cleaning' efficiency (of athletes taking banned substance). 

He denied it, claiming that he wasn't on drug and said he don't even know what does the drug really do. 

However his chance to convince the people around that he has not taken such an illegal substance appeared over - his 'B' sample (tested in Montreal), had also comeback positive.

Doping has been prohibited since 1928 in athletics. Based on current practices, the first offence will be banned about two years but it's depend on the types of doping. 

Just like Ben Johnson in 1993, Mullings who might be having a chance of winning at least two medals in the World championships next week, now would face a life ban (or at least 4 years) from athletics when the authority announce their final decision on this case.

Steve Mullings' 9.80s (PB) Video at Eugene, Diamond League

PS: There is an important lesson for athletes out there; no crap shortcut, magic pills, or snake oils,  to improve performance. Long-term development, proper training and recovery are the keys. If you got caught, then as Ben Johnson said, what ever happened life must go on.

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Chi Cheng The Greatest Asian Sprinter of All Time

>> August 10, 2011

Bronze from the 1968 Olympics
Chi Cheng is no doubt, the greatest Asian female sprinter of all-time. She conquered the World during her prime by producing seven World records over 100 yards, 100 meters, 200 meters, 220 yards, 100m hurdles. Within 1964 to 1970, she created a total of 44 Asian records. Chi Cheng's 100 yards record 10.10s set in Portland on 13 June 1970 lasted almost 40 years and only beaten by Veronica Campbell (9.91s) on 31 May 2010. She also won 77 gold medals in international competitions.

At age of 18 in 1962, she competed at a provincial games in Taiwan and breaks 4 national records. The records were from 80m hurdles (11.9s), High Jump (1.57m), Long Jump (5.58m) and Pentathlon (4,142pts).

Following the achievements she received scholarship from the government to study and training at the United States in February 1963. In the USA, she guided by coach Vincent Reel (said to be her husband ??) and has improved very fast. She participated in her second Olympics in 1964 at Tokyo. However, she didn't win any medal after finished 17th at heptathlon in 4,449pts and 11.1s at 80m hurdles.

Nevertheless, in 1968 Olympics at Mexico City, she won bronze medal from the 80m hurdles in a time of 10.51s, merely behind Australians Pam Kilborn (10.46s) and Maureen Caird (10.39s). She also entered the 100m dash and had done 11.4s during the semifinals before finished seventh in the finals in 11.5s. Wyomia Tyus won the final race in a World record time of 11.0s. A month before the games she equaled the previous 100m WR of 11.2s in Denver, USA, although she pulled her muscles (both legs) and had a knee surgery in 1967.

Chi Cheng's most successful year was in 1970. She set five World outdoor records, at 100 meters (11.0s), 200 meters (22.4s), 100m low hurdles (12.8s), 100 yards (10.0s) and 220 yards (22.6s). She also won 66 medals at outdoor events and 21 at indoor events. During the 1969-1970, out of 154 events (sprints, hurdles, long jump, relays) entered, she only lost once.

She was expected by coaches, writers, journalists, commentators, and fans to win at least one gold medal at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Obviously she has a great chance to do so in 100m or 100m hurdles. But unexpectedly, she did not compete due to injury setbacks and had to undergo surgery, in which reportedly "not successful" and forced her to retire earlier.

Chi Cheng has won two gold medals from two the Asian Games. In the 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok, she leaped 5.95m in long jump to win the gold medal. At the 1970 Asian Games, also held in Bangkok, she won the century dash in 11.6s, half of a second ahead of silver medalist. She ran the 400m hurdles but stopped at 330m due to a severe thigh cramp.

Her stunning performances brought her many honours in 1971. She has been named "Athlete of the Year" by the Track and Field World and at the same time voted as "Global Athlete of the Year" by the Associated Press. In 2000, Che Ching was voted "Female Asian Athlete of The Twentieth Century" by the Asian Athletics Association as well as described by the IAAF as "Asia's Legendary Female Sprinter".

Chi Cheng's Biodata / Profile

Full Name: Chi Cheng
Nationality: Chinese Taipei / Taiwan
Born: 15 March 1944, Hsin-chu County, Taiwan
Height: 1.72m (5-8)
Weight: 136 pounds (62kg)
College: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California
Club: Los Angeles Track Club
Coaches: S.S.Kwan (Junior- at Taiwan), Vincent Reel, 1914-1999 (Senior- at California, USA)

Appearance at:
Olympic Games: Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964, Mexico City 1968
Asian Games: Bangkok 1966, Mexico City 1968

Personal Bests:
60 yards: 6.5i (Toronto CAN, 05.02.1970)
100 yards: 10.0h / 10.10 (Portland USA, 13.06.1970)
100 meters: 11.22s +1.9 (Vienna AUT, 18.07.1970)
200 meters: 22.62s +0.8 (Munich GER, 12.07.1970)
220 yards: 22.4s (Los Angeles USA, 04.07.1970)
440 yards: 52.5s (Orange USA, 20.06.1970)
50 m hurdles: 6.9i (Vancouver CAN, 21.02.70)
60 y hurdles: 7.6i (New York USA, 1970)
80 m hurdles: 10.51s (Ciudad de Mexico MEX, 10.10.1968)
100 m hurles: 12.93s 0.0 (Munich GER, 12.07.70)
High Jump: 1.585m (Westminster USA, 18.05.1963)
Long Jump: 6.35m (Claremont USA, 28.03.1970) & 6.42i (New York USA, 17.02.1970)

References / recommended reading
Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: The Twentieth Century 1912-2000
Asian Athletics All-Time Rankings as at 2000 (contact: HHubbeling@t-online.de)
The International Track & Field Annual

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Michael Johnson Still the Best - TOP 3 Races Ever

>> August 07, 2011

You may argue when i say he is the best track and field athlete of all-time, but you cannot argue the fact that he is the greatest 400m runner of all-time, the greatest 200-400m combined of all-time, and the greatest athlete during the last decade of the 21st century (1990's), too.

I love the way this man sprinting, unique style, upright stance, and very steady. He was coached by Clyde Hart, who is regarded as the greatest quarter-miler coach of all-time. He is 78 years old in 2011 and coached for more than 45 years. If you wonder he has produced the likes Jeremy Wariner, Greg Houghton, Sanya Richards etc.

Johnson's best times are 19.32s at 200m (1996 Olympics - WR at the time), and 43.18s at 400m (1999 World championships - present WR). He also holds the World record best at 300m in 30.85s. He won 8 gold medals at the World championships and 4 at the Olympics ... (just to list a few). Here is my Michael Johnson's TOP 3 races of all-time;


1- Michael Johnson's 400m World Record (43.18s) at 1999 WCh, Seville

2- Michael Johnson's 200m World Record (19.32s) at 1996 Olympics, Atlanta

3- MJ's 400m Semifinals (43.95s - "shutting down" at 300m), 1999 WCh

Extra- You can also watch "The Greatest Moment of Michael Johnson's Career"

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Tyson Gay Injured Right Hip, Goodbye World Championship 2011

>> June 25, 2011

Tyson Gay pulled out of the 100m in the U.S National Championship due to a right hip injury sustained after he finished second in the Quarterfinal race on Thursday. Earlier this month, he opted not to compete in the 200m this year because of the hip, which has been bothering him since the beginning of the season.

Semifinals results:

Heat 1 (+1.4)

PlaceAthlete NameAffiliationTime           Qual
1Michael RodgersNike10.03Q
2Darvis PattonNike10.09Q
3Maurice MitchellFlorida State University10.14
4Leroy Dixonunattached10.17
5Desmond Jackson             Abilene Christian10.41
DNS       Rakieem Salaamunattached


Heat 2 (+2.6)
Place       Athlete Name                   Affiliation                  Time             Qual
1Justin Gatlinunattached9.99Q
2Walter DixNike10.05Q
3Jeff DempsFlorida10.05q
4Trell Kimmonsadidas10.06q
5Charles SilmonT C U10.21
6Terrell WilksFlorida10.30

Heat 3 (+2.9)
Place        Athlete Name                   Affiliation                  Time            Qual
1Ivory WilliamsNike9.96Q
2Travis Padgettadidas9.97Q
3Monzavous EdwardsNike10.10
4Cordero GrayTexas-Arlington10.17
5Justin AustinIowa10.26
DNSTyson Gayadidas


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Interesting Facts about Ben Johnson (Sprinter)

>> June 07, 2011

We all agreed that Carl Lewis was superb in 4 Olympics and World championships. But Ben Johnson (b. 1961) was the greatest back in 1985 to 1988!. People remember Ben for his great physique perhaps, apart from 'Seoul 88'. He has some similarities with the current top sprinter Usain Bolt. Both sprinters were born in the same resident (Trelawny, Jamaica), but Ben emigrated to Canada when he was a teen (1976). Ben Johnson became the World champion in 1987 and Olympic champion in 1988. Here is a lists of the facts about Ben Johnson during his track career. You can also read interesting facts about Usain Bolt.

Ben Johnson get ready to rock the 100m at the 1988 Olympics
  • Ben entered track an field at age of 14 and produced a World record 11 years later
  • He was guided by an experienced and qualified coach since the beginning of career
  • Most of Ben's training needs and expenses were sponsored by his coach
  • He never had to work at an off-track job during his entire running career
  • He was massaged by coach (1978-1980), by therapist (1981-1986), and by regeneration specialist (1986-1988)
  • Ben's first international success was in 1982 Commonwealth Games when he won silver in the 100m
  • He won the bronze medal at the 1984 Olympics with a time of 10.22s
  • He had only one serious injury which occurred 2 months before the 1988 Olympics (third degree hamstring pull)
  • During an injury period in 1988, he performed 2sets x 10reps x 160kg in Bench Press
  • His Bench Press had improved from 3x136kg in 1986 to 3x155kg in 1987 to 2x185kg in 1988 (Consider 190kg at 1RM!!)
  • Ben ran at a top speed of 12.1 metres per second or 44.4 kilometres per hour
  • After breaking the WR in 1987, Ben earned around USD 480,000 a month in endorsements
  • His unique style coming off the blocks remains 'uneasy' to be imitated or simulated by anyone else
  • He was really cool and quiet when winning his races - Yes, if you think Tyson Gay is cool, Ben was so much humble and earthy
  • He was very consistent at starts (reaction). Many people thought he was foul started in 1987 World champs in Rome, but his actual reaction was 0.129
  • The difference of 100m's time between Ben Johnson & Carl Lewis in 1988 was greater (0.13) than Usain Bolt & Tyson Gay in 2009 (0.11)
  • He has been a World champion, Olympic champion, Commonwealth champion, World cup champion, World Indoor champion, Goodwill Games champion.
Ben Johnson's lifetime achievements (just to mention a few):

World records at 100m (9.83s - 1987, 9.79s - 9.79s)
World records at 60m (6.41s - 1987, 6.44s - 1987, 6.44s - 1987, 6.50s - 1986)
Olympic champion at 100m (1988 - 9.79s)
World champion at 100m (1987 - 9.83s)
World champion at 60m (1985 & 1987 - 6.41s)
World cup champion at 100m (1985 - 10.00s)
Commonwealth champion at 100m (1986 - 10.07s)

Major sources:
Training for Speed (by Charlie Francis, Ben Johnson's coach)
Speed Trap (by Charlie Francis)

# All the facts mentioned are sort of straight facts, which is generally means 'all conditions' is applicable.

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The Ben Johnson Story: Seoul 1988 Olympics (Video)

>> May 31, 2011

This is a five-part video tells the true story of the drug's scandal involving Ben Johnson at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. He won the 100m gold medal with a world record time of 9.79s, beaten Carl Lewis who registered 9.92s in the silver medal. However, a few days later, the urine sample of Ben was found to contain the metabolic of banned substance namely stanozolol (anabolic steroids) and was banned for 2 years.

Ben and his coach Charlie Francis complained that they used performance enhancing drug to allow him to compete with other sprinters of which have also used drugs.

Video of men's100m final at the 1988 Olympics


Ben Johnson Story PART 1


Ben Johnson Story PART 2


Ben Johnson Story PART 3


Ben Johnson Story PART 4


Ben Johnson Story PART 5

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Watson Nyambek, the Fastest Malaysian Sprinter

>> December 22, 2010

Watson Nyambek (source: unknown)
Watson Nyambek was a notable Malaysian sprinter and specialized in the 100 metres. He was born in Miri in 1976 and became known as "the Flying Dayak" as he set multiple national records in the century dash. He had represented the country in two Olympic Games, Atlanta 1996 (10.55s) and Sydney 2000 (10.61s).

In 1995, he broke the 29-year-old national 100m record by M. Jegathesan (set in 1966 Asiad) in Chinese Taipei in a time of 10.46s. He would continue to break his national record with the last one in the year was 10.38s clocking during the Malaysian national champs. The time would only be matched by his long time rival, Azmi Ibrahim, who has done it in 1996 in Jakarta.

In 1996, the co-national record holders were "set" to grab  the title "Malaysian's Fastest Man". It was like "Carl Lewis vs Ben Johnson" at the 1988 Olympics here in Malaysia with extensive coverage from all the local media. The race was finally set at Kuantan during the Malaysian Games. In the finals, Watson bursts out of his blocks, away from the field, hit the top speed in the halfway, maintains that high-velocity speed, and leaving Azmi (who usually had a fast ending) far away in second when he crosses the finish line. Watson registered NR a again with a time of 10.33s.

In 1997, he competed at the 6th World championships in Athens, and  later in SEA Games, where he was expected to win the century dash but ended up with taking home a bronze medal.

The 1998 was a golden year for Watson. He also broke the national 100m record three times (10.31s, 10.30s, 10.0h*). He won a silver medal from the Asian Track and Field (ATF) which was a major accomplishment by Malaysian athletics. This would made him a gold medal contender in the Asian Games in the following months.  In Asian Games, he won both heats (10.25w) and semifinal round (10.20w), but in the finals he stumbled in his first step out of his blocks and ended up finishing in 4th, clocking 10.32s. The wind-aided 10.20w from semifinals was the Southeast Asia's fastest time in any condition. A few weeks earlier at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Watson managed to advance to the quarterfinals at the century dash.
Watson Nyambek (source: unknown)

In 1999, he became the first Malaysian to enter semifinals at the World indoor championships. It was from the 60 metres race where he clocked a NR of 6.66s. He also took part in the 7th World outdoor championships at Seville at the year.

Retired in 2002 but came out in 2003. The comeback saw him winning a silver medal of 100m during the national championship. But it was Watson's last race and he never comeback into serious training in the next seasons.

Several years later, Watson became a sprint coach and based in Miri Sarawak, his hometown.

Personal bests:
100m- 10.30s Kuala Lumpur 1998 / 10.0h Hanoi 1998 / 10.20w Bangkok 1998
200m- 21.20s Kuala Lumpur 1995
60m- 6.66s Maebashi 1999
50m- 5.84s Eaubonne 1999

Best six (6) 100 metres:
10.30 - Kuala Lumpur (Pre-Comm / NC) 3.7.1998
10.31 - Kuantan (State Champs) 28.3.1998
10.32 - Bangkok (Asian Games)  14.12.1998
10.33 - Kuantan (Sukma) 7.6.1996
10.36 - Kuala Lumpur (Commonwealth Games)  16.09.98
10.36 - Almaty (National Championships)  27.5.2000

Watson's coaches:
Daniel St Hilaire (Quebec, Canada) - 1995 to 1997
Mumtaz Jaafar (Selangor) - 1998 to 2002
Sulaiman Arman (Sabah) - 2003 (preparation for National champs)


by Jad Adrian (Track & Field Statistician)

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