Ogunode sets new record in blistering 100m victory

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 Qatar's Femi Ogunode broke the 10-second mark at the Asian Games for the first time, splashing his way through the rain to 100 meters gold yesterday.

Qatar's Femi Seun Ogunode clocked 9.93 seconds, a new Asian record, in the men's 100m sprint on Sunday night at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium, putting an end to speculations on whether the 10-second barrier for Asian sprinters will be broken.

An unexpected rain failed to dampen the burning ambitions of Nigerian-born Ogunode, who had an easy win in the semifinals earlier the day with 10.02 seconds.

Before Sunday, only Samuel Francis, also born in Nigeria but representing Qatar, had managed to time 9.99 seconds seven years ago.

"I wasn't surprised (by the margin of the win of 0.17 seconds). I know I'm gonna win," said a confident Ogunode, who said his best form is yet to come.

As the fastest man in Asia, Ogunode now aimed at the world championships next year in Beijing's Birds Nest stadium and the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.

"I see myself winning the gold (at the Rio Olympics)," he said.

Su Bingtian of China grabbed a silver with 10.10 seconds, his seasonal best, saying that raining days always bring him good luck.

"I had been adjusting myself since in the heat and then in the semifinal and the final. This is not an easy result," Su said.

"Breaking the 10-second barrier has always been the target for me and other Chinese sprinters. It's a pity that I didn't achieve that today," silver medallist he added.

Teammate Zhang Peimeng ranked fourth with 10.17 second and lost the bronze medal to Japan's Kei Takase who clocked 10.15 seconds.

In women's 100m race, Wei Yongli of China claimed the title with 11.48 seconds, a tiny 0.01 second margin over silver medallist, Chisato Fukushima of Japan. Olga Safronova of Kazakhstan took the bronze with 11.50 seconds.

"I had imagined of this but when it really happens, I still feel very excited. It's amazing when spotting my name on the big screen," Wei said.

"My coach told me to tilt my shoulder a little bit when sprinting, I did it today and it worked," Wei said.

In men's pole vault, Xue Changrui of China cleared 5.55m to pocket the gold medal. Daichi Sawano of Japan also reached the same height. However, he passed the 5.35m mark only at his third attempt while Xue passed in his first try. Sawano settled with the silver while Jin Minsub of South Korea had the bronze with 5.45m.

In women's hammer throw, Zhang Wenxiu of China grabbed the gold with 77.33m, a new Asian Games record. Actually during the competition, Zhang broke the current record in her throw by 72.56m and continued to set new records in her following four throws and settled the record at 77.33m, only 0.35m away from the Asian record.

Wang Zheng of China took the silver medal and Bala Manju of India the bronze.

In women's 400m, Oluwakemi Mujidat Adekoya of Bahrain, another naturalized athlete from Nigeria, clocked 51.59 seconds to take the gold.

Quach Thi Lan of Vietnam won the silver medal with her personal best of 52.06 seconds. Poovamma Raju Machettira of India took the bronze with 52.36 seconds.

In men's 400m, Yousef Ahmed M Masrahi of Saudi Arabia claimed the title with 44.46 seconds. Abbas Abubakar Abbas of Bahrain and Arokiarajiv of India settled with silver and bronze.

Earlier in the morning, China bagged two golds in men's and women's 20km walking. Wang Zhen won the men's title with one hour 19 minute 45 seconds ahead of Yusuke Suzuki of Japan and Kim Hyunsub of South Korea, who shared the silver and bronze.

Lu Xiuzhi claimed the women's title with one hour 31 minutes 06 seconds. Kaur Khushbir of India passed the finish line 2.01 minutes later to win the silver. Jeon Yeongeun of South Korea ranked third to take the bronze.

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