Delvin Furlough turns on an extra gear in outsprinting Russian Nikita Novikov to win gold by 12-hundredths of a second. (Photo by Bill Millios)
Athletics wins third gold in as many daysFurlough golden in 400m; Nash takes bronze in hurdlesby Leila Hanaumi and Joshua Weinstock on September 9, 2009 The U.S. Athletics Team earned its third gold in as many days Wednesday, as well as a new color to its collection of medals. The team’s latest gold came from a comeback win by 400-meter sprinter Delvin Furlough, who jumped to an early lead in the first 200m. Russian Nikita Novikov appeared to take the lead before the runners came down the homestretch, and Furlough was in line for a third-place finish. However, Furlough did what he wasn’t able to do at the 100m dash: turn on the jets. He displayed a brilliant final kick, after which sprinting coach Jesse Bailey exclaimed, “phenomenal!” Furlough ran a 48.16 seconds, a personal best. “I’m thrilled. The 400m is my favorite event,” Furlough said. “I knew I would place first from the start, but when [Novikov] passed me, I got mad and that pushed me to run even faster.” Novikov finished with a time of 48.28, just .12 behind Furlough. The first-place winner of the previous day’s 400m heats, Ukrainan Sergiy Mazuro, placed third with a time of 48.95, a disappointment after his performance in the heat and semifinals. Female hurdler Amber Nash didn’t exhibit the same kick in the 400-meter hurdles. She jumped out to an early lead, but lost steam in the final 100 meters, winning the U.S. Athletics Team’s first bronze medal of the 2009 Deaflympics. “That’s my weakness — I always do my best in the first 200 meters, and then slow down.” Nash said. She also hit the seventh hurdle, which may have been a significant factor. “It feels good to win a medal, but I am kind of disappointed. I worked so hard in the past eight months through injuries, hot and cold days and many workouts for the gold,” Nash said. Ukranian Yuliya Shapoval took center stage as she broke the Deaflympics record of 63.19 with a 63.02 in the 400-meter hurdles. However, she wasn’t able to break her own world record of 63 seconds flat, which she set in September 2008 Emilija Manninen, of Estonia, came in second with a time of 63.39, beating Nash’s time of 63.65. Nash broke her personal record of 63.86, which she set Tuesday in the qualifying heat. At the hammer throw, shot put gold medalist Joanel Lopez was able to throw a personal best of 52.25 meters, but failed to place in the top three. Lopez finished fifth as Masatoshi Morimoto, of Japan, set a Games and world record with his throw of 61.08 meters, annihilating his own world record by 1.64 meters. The Games record of 56.06 meters, previously held by American Willard Moers, also fell. Lopez said he knew the hammer wasn’t his best event after only two years of training. “I’m glad I had the opportunity to compete and improve my personal best,” he said. “I’ll work harder and get better in the future.” Terrell Sumers was the odd man out in the long jump, placing ninth out of 15 jumpers with a leap of 6.44 meters. The top eight had the opportunity to make three more jumps. Maris Grenins, of Latvia, won the long-jump contest when he flew through the air for 7.49 meters. Grenins also won the men’s 100-meter dash Tuesday night. The athletics competition has a hiatus Thursday, but action will resume at Taipei Stadium on Friday as Craig Saalfeld begins his two-day quest for decathlon gold. The U.S. athletes scheduled for Thursday’s finals are: Onyemachi Davis in the men’s discus, Joylisa Davis in the women’s long jump and Erin LaFave in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase. Other American athletes also are scheduled to compete in several heats and semifinals. |
 American Delvin Furlough raises his arms in triumph after receiving gold for his winning sprint in the 400m race. (Photo by Bill Millios)
 Amber Nash stands on the bronze medal platform for her time in the 400m hurdles. (Photo by Bill Millios)
 Delvin Furlough turns on an extra gear in outsprinting Russian Nikita Novikov to win gold by 12-hundredths of a second. (Photo by Bill Millios)
 Joanel Lopez does a rotation in the hammer throw on Wednesday afternoon. He placed fifth in the hammer competition with a throw of 52.25m. (Photo by Bill Millios)
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