Age no hurdle for 'king of athelete'

OSAKA: Czech ‘king of athletes’ Roman Sebrle insists that the best is yet to come after winning his first world gold medal that added to his Olympic and European decathlon titles.

“I want to continue until the Olympic Games in London 2012,” declared Sebrle, 32, who was the oldest in the 10-sport spectacle over two days at the world championships here. “The problem is not age but health.”

Sebrle, the world record holder who was injured by a flying spear in training seven months ago, counted on his javelin to spur his comeback victory over Jamaica’s Maurice Smith to win by 8,676 to 8,644 points on Saturday.

The 32-point gap meant it was the narrowst decathlon win in any world championships. “I had the same level of preparation as three years ago at the Olympic Games. I hope to be in better shape next year in Beijing to defend my Olympic title,” he said.

Sebrle, who settled for the world silver in 2003 and 2005, roared back in the final two events, topping the field with 71.18 metres in the javelin to overtake Smith and warding off the Jamaican’s charge in the final 1,500m.

“It was a crazy competition of ups and downs. I could not be sure to win before the 1500 metres,” said Sebrle.

“This is the toughest of all my titles and very emotional. I did not have the shape I expected after the training camp but as it proved, decathlon is finished only after the last event.”

The never-say-die spirit paid off as he became the first man since British great Daley Thompson to simultaneously hold
the Olympic, European and world decathlon titles.

Both Sebrle and Smith benefited from defending champion Bryan Clay of the United States being forced to retire on the first day due to a leg injury sustained in the high jump.

Smith, aiming for Jamaica’s first global decathlon title, was the overnight leader and tightened his grip with the longest throw in the discus on the final day and the fastest time in the 110m hurdles.

The Commonwealth silver medallist then cleared three lifetime bests and advanced his personal best to 4.80 metres in the pole vault. But Sebrle unleashed a massive javelin throw of 71.18 metres to overtake Smith who could only manage 53.61 metres.

Sebrle, who set the world record of 9,026 points in 2001, fought hard to keep up the slim lead in the 1,500m. He finished fifth in 4min 35.32sec, 1.8sec behind fourth-placed Smith, enough to secure the title.

He was hit in the shoulder by a spear when he was walking across a training field in late January, leaving a wound 12cm deep which needed 11 stitches.

“I tried six times to become a world champion in decathlon. Three times I was not healthy,” he said. “This year I had the best preparation but I did not feel in my best shape. I am happy I made it this year.”