SPORT PAGE | 06 PAGE | 08 ’s ODI Lyles stands out skipper Finch says as favourite he is eying a Test to win comeback 200m gold

Saturday 28 September 2019

Samba off to a flying start on historic day for Qatar FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

A full house buzzing with roaring spectators at the iconic Khalifa International Stadium and thrilling performances by the athletes marked the opening day of the historic IAAF Championships Doha 2019 that began with the quali- fying rounds yesterday. Star Qatari hurdler Abder- rahman Samba’s performance to top round 1 of the men’s 400m hurdles was icing on the cake for Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba gestures the host nation. after winning the Men’s While the stage was being set Hurdles Heats on the opening day of the for the first ever midnight 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships women’s marathon at the Cor- at the Khalifa International Stadium in niche last night, athletes began Doha, yesterday. LEFT: Samba (centre), TJ their quest for medals at the air- Holmes of the US and Netherland's Nick conditioned venue last evening, Smidt (right) compete during the event. producing impressive perform- PICTURES: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA ances in qualifying rounds for 12 disciplines. With the successful start of DAY 2 - AT KHALIFA STADIUM the championships, Qatar becomes the first country in the Middle East to host the athletics showpiece. On another positive The 2018 to race fast and improve,” he debut, ran 49.62s to qualify for finished second and third among note for Qatar yesterday, Samba, champion said he was satisfied added. the final. the 10 qualifiers for the Sep- who was not regularly seen in with the start of his campaign. Warholm, on the other hand, Meanwhile, in another antic- tember 30 final. action in the last few months, “One has to be careful in the was also satisfied with his time ipated event yesterday, USA’s Paul Bekele said: This was a qual- looked at his best as he outpaced start so I am ok with today’s of 49.27 that lent him third place Chelimo topped men’s 5,000 final ification race, so the main thing rivals Karsten Warholm and Rai performance. With the result I behind ’s Takatoshi Abe qualifying with a time of 13:20.18, was to qualify. This is a learning Benjamin to advance for today’s am happy and I am looking for (49.25). making himself favourite for a progress.” semi-final with a best time. tomorrow,” said Samba before “It was a solid run. I enjoyed gold medal in the event, dubbed Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega, After clocking a time of adding he had no pressure of it. Of course Samba is competing as one of the most unpredictable who won the first 5,000 heats 49.08s, Samba made his competing against a tough on his home soil so everybody contests at the Worlds post British and also qualified for the final, intention clear that he will not line-up that includes reigning will watch him and literally push legend Mo Farah era. said: “I was exactly as I be only gunning for a gold world champion Warholm and him to the finish,” said Warholm. “The goal was about getting planned. It was a slower start but medal, hinting at his attempt to Rai, who also have clocked the “But also Rai is chasing me to the final and I think I managed safe in the finish. I will not watch a new world record. sub 47 time. since Zurich and he wants to the qualification well. Medal? I any of my opponents in the final, “A gold or may be something “The World Championships beat me. I don’t feel pressure and think it is going to be more about just myself,” he added. else,” Samba said when asked is going to be amazing. Spe- I do not think of the time too chasing fast time and focus. The Today’s action at the Khalifa AT CORNICHE about his chances in the event, cially, the 400m hurdles much but I just need to execute final will be fun.” Chelimo said Stadium, includes the women’s hinting at breaking Kevin because there are many big what I am supposed to do,” the yesterday. hammer throw, long jump, Young’s world record of 46.78 names who want to do some- Norwegian world champion Ethiopia’s Telahun Haile women’s 10,000m and men’s at the in Bar- thing. It’s good to get more added. Bekele (13.20.45) and Norway’s 100m finals besides qualifica- celona in 1992. people in sub 47s. It makes you Rai, who is making his World Filip Ingebrigtsen (13:20.45) tions in nine disciplines. Barrow clocks personal best before bowing out

ARMSTRONG VAS Owaab, whose personal best THE PENINSULA was 10.65, finished third in the pre- liminary round to qualify but in the Qatar’s Owaab Barrow who made second round he could not sustain it to the second round of the 100m It was a good experience the same level of fluency and speed heats of the IAAF World Champi- for me to run. I am as a result he was no where near onships is hoping that the ‘expe- his best. rience’ he gained by competing still a first year junior The teenager has been training against some of the top guns of and to run at the hard for the championship and he athletics will help in his career World Championships thanked all his coaches and offi- advancement. among the elite and cials who have been part of his The 18-year-old, who made it top athletes is a great training so far. to the second stage from the pre- “I have been training with my liminary round, was not at his best experience, even to coach Lee Christopher. He is part in the next stage and finished last be around them. It is of the Aspire Academy and the in the fifth heat. my country, and I was national team, and this year has Earlier, in the first round, focussed on doing my been about preparing and training Owaab, an Aspire Academy for different competitions. We have product, had clocked a personal best and running a been to South Africa and .” best of 10.64 to make it past the personal best: Barrow Owaab now hopes to put all his preliminary round. experience to good use in the “It was a good experience for coming years at the junior and also me to run. I am still a first year on doing my best and running a at the senior level. junior and to run at the World personal best,” Barrow, who won “Next year, hopefully, we have Championships among the elite the men’s 110m hurdles gold the World Juniors 2020 in Kenya, and top athletes is a great expe- during the and let’s hope for the best and Qatar’s Owaab Barrow (centre) in action during the Men’s Preliminary Round at rience, even to be around them. It in Buenos Aires, Argentina last hopefully I will compete in the the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, yesterday. is my country, and I was focussed year, said. event,” he added. 02 SPORT SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019

Super Echevarria Coleman fastest as favourites advance storms into final

ARMSTRONG VAS this month, was the only Arthur Cissé, Aaron Brown, Anti-Doping Agency his performance, while FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA man to duck under 10 Yoshihide Kiryu, Emmanuel (USADA) received guidance acknowledging that the THE PENINSULA seconds in the first round. Matadi, Zhenye Xie, Adam on how the absence of great rival Usain World Indoor Champion Simbine of South Africa Gemili, Filippo Tortu, Yuki 12-month window used Bolt, who retired in 2017, Juan Miguel Echevarria once again Christian Coleman cruised was second fastest in 10.01 Koike, Taymir Burnet, to determine the offence was disconcerting. proved why he is the best long jumper to an easy win in the secs with defending Bingtian Su, Tyquendo should be calculated. “Not having him here in world as he stormed to the final with opening round of the 100 champion and veteran Gatlin Tracey and Ojie Coleman has strongly feels weird at a major cham- a clear distance on the opening day of metres heats at the IAAF of USA was third quickest in Edoburun. denied wrongdoing, insisting pionship, not having the IAAF World Athletics Champion- World Championships 10.06. Coleman’s participation earlier this month he had someone out there to push ships Doha 2019 yesterday. leaving rivals Akani Simbine Jamaican Yohan Blake, in Qatar had been thrown never taken performance- me,” Gatlin said. The Cuban, who produced a world and veteran Justin Gatlin a former winner, finished into doubt last month after enhancing drugs and never Gatlin, racing for the first leading performance of 8.65m at the behind. with a timing of 10.07 secs it emerged he had registered would. time since suffering a ham- Zurich Diamond League meeting, On the first day of the to finish with the fourth best three drug-testing “where- Yesterday, he let his per- string strain earlier this cleared a distance of 8.40m to top qual- Championships at the timings in the heats. abouts” failures in a formance on the track do his month, said he was happy to ifying comfortably at the Khalifa Inter- Khalifa International Others who qualified 12-month period. talking. come through the heat national Stadium. Stadium, the 23-year-old for the semi-final heats That left Coleman poten- Exploding out of the unscathed. Echevarria’s competitors could not American sprinter - the include Lamont Marcell tially facing a lengthy sus- blocks, he eased up well “If felt good,” he said. even cleared the 8.15m, as Jeff Hend- fastest man in the world this Jacobs, Jimmy Vicaut, pension for an offence before the line to finish “I just wanted to be tech- erson of the US finished finished second season - eased up well , Abdul regarded as equivalent to a ahead of Italy’s Lamont nically sound from the with a jump of 8.12m. before the line to win his Hakim Sani Brown, Paulo failed drug test. Marcell Jacobs and Abdul blocks, dominate the middle “I am feeling very well. I was only heat in 9.98 secs. André Camilo De Oliveira, However, the case Hakim Sani Brown of Japan. part of the race and show 17 when I had the first World Champi- Coleman, who narrowly Andre De Grasse, Raymond against Coleman was with- Meanwhile, the 37-year- that I can ease up before the onships. I am more experienced and escaped a drugs ban earlier Ekevwo, Michael Rodgers, drawn after the old Gatlin was satisfied with end.” confident now,” the 21-year-old Eche- varria said told reporters yesterday. “The weather was fine and the track is very fast. For the final, I want to be in the top eight after the first three rounds and aim for gold for sure,” he added. Japan’s Yuki Hashioka (8.07m), USA’s Steffin Mccarter (8.04m) and Russian Ruswahi Samaai (8.07m) com- pleted the top 5 finish. Hashioka was content with his per- formance that gave him third spot in the qualifying. “I am relieved to be qualified. It was a good performance. My first attempt was not good because the atmosphere was too excited and this did not help me,” he added. Meanwhile, Pedro Pablo Pichardo topped qualifying for the men’s triple jump final to be played on September 29. He marked 17.38m to finish on top followed by Burma’s Hughes Fabrice (17.17m) and USA’s Christain Taylor (16.99m). Taylor was happy with his per- formance and the conditions too. “The conditions are perfect. The USA’s Christian Coleman (centre) competes in the Men’s 100m heats during the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Khalifa International stadium stadium they did a wonderful job, not in Doha, yesterday. PICTURES: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA too cold, it’s perfect,” he said. Asian champ Abubaker Disappointment for Sharp as begins quest for Nanyondo shines in 800m

glory at Doha Worlds ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA FAWAD HUSSAIN Abubaker ran 1:44.33 - a world THE PENINSULA lead at that time – to win gold for Winnie Nanyondo of Uganda under- Qatar at the Asian Athletics Champi- lined her IAAF World Championship Five months after clinching the Asian onships 2019 last April. medal plans yesterday with the fastest 800m titles at the Khalifa Interna- Among competitors in Doha, time of the women’s 800 meter heats tional Stadium, Qatar’s Abubaker Amos has recorded the best time to qualify for the final along with Haydar Abdalla will begin his quest 1:41.89 this year followed by Kenya’s Natoya Goule, Nataliya Prischepa and for glory today at a bigger stage at the Ferguson Rotich 1:42.54 and Brazier Renelle. same venue, eyeing a podium finish 1:42.70. The diminutive Ugandan won her at the IAAF World Athletics Champi- The hosts have entered the mega heats in two minutes 00.36 seconds to onships Doha 2019. event with 18 of their top track and cruise to victory at the Khalifa Inter- It will be a tough task for 23-year- field stars with reigning world high national Stadium although Ajee Wilson old Abubaker and his team-mate jump champion Mutaz Essa Barshim of US was the most comfortable Jamal Hairane in the men’s 800m and star hurdler Abderrahman Samba looking of all the athletes. heats, who will be up against the being their main medal hopes. Uganda’s other representative in world’s best middle-distance runners Apart from Abubaker and the two-lap race Halimah Nakaayi also in the world. Hairane, Samba will also be seen in advanced. She finished second in Botswana’s and action today in the 400m hurdles 2:02.33 in a race won by Wilson. The American have been semi-finals. He finished on top among first three finishers and the next six the two best 800-meter runners of 39 runners in the first round fastest finishers in each of the six heats 2019. yesterday. advanced to the penultimate stage. Amos is the world Sprinter Owaab Barrow Meanwhile, there was disap- leader while Brazier is bowed out of the men’s 100m pointment for Lysney Sharp of England, the Diamond League race in the first heat after who faded to a fourth-place finish in Uganda’s Winnie Nanyondo competes in the Women’s 800m heats yesterday. champion. He has clearing the preliminary stage the final heat after leading at 600m. It three DL wins while with a personal best of 10.63 was the slowest race of the six and she Brazier has two. secs. couldn’t do enough to progress. The Cunningham of USA topped in the hammer throwers in history to not Briton, who has been a consistent top qualifying leaping to a height of 1.94m, advance to the final despite hitting that three finisher on the Diamond League the auto mark needed to qualify for mark. circuit all season, looked crest fallen the final followed by Mariya Lasit- Joanna Fiodorow of Poland threw by the result. skene, a neutral athlete, while Yuliya the hammer to a distance of 73.39 fol- One athlete who will advance is Levchenko, Tynita Butts and Claire lowed by Iryna Klymets of Ukraine and 2013 champion , who was Orcel got through after clearing 1.92m, Alexandra Tavernier of France. fourth in the second heat but whose with Levern Spencer and Alessia Trost The big names in the women’s pole 2:02.17 time was enough to see her matching that mark but missing out vault qualified for the final. After sitting advance. because of failures at earlier heights. out up to this point, 2017 champion Kat In the 3000-meter women’s stee- In women’s hammer qualifiers a Stefanidi advanced to the final. plechase, Genevieve Gregson of Aus- cursory glance through the record Likewise, European indoor champ tralia topped followed by Geneviève books shows that a 70m+ throw in Anzhelika Sidorova and British record Lalonde of and Celliphine qualifiers has always been enough to holder Holly Bradshaw qualified. Chepteek Chespol of Kenya Peruth ensure a spot in the world champion- Also making past the initial rounds Chemutai of Uganda also sent out an ships final. were Sandi Morris, the world indoor early warning of her medal intentions Not any more, as Malwina Kopron champion, Paris Diamond League by winning her heats. (70.46), Julia Ratcliffe (70.45) and Yeli- winner Alysha Newman, and 2015 Abubaker Haydar Abdalla In the Women’s , Vashti zaveta Tsareva (70.35) become the first world champion Yarisley Silva. SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 03

Argentina’s Wallabies out to produce own World Cup hopes on the fireworks show against Wales line against

AP Georgia 29-0 in the first half and Tonga TOKYO After Wales won ultimately won 43-14 last their first World Cup Monday. Even with two days’ AFP Every night since last Sunday match-up in 1987 in less rest than Australia, Gatland KOBE when they arrived in Tokyo, what turned out to be believed it would have been Wallabies have been staring out a thrilling playoff for unfair to drop anyone. Argentina know their Rugby of their windows. There will be an extra special World Cup rests on a must-win third, Australia has From their hotel which focus on Alun Wyn Jones, game against Tonga in overlooks Tokyo Disneyland, won every contest at who will surpass Gethin Jenkins today. they have been drawn to the the tournament since, to become the most capped Semi-finalists in 2007 and evening fireworks show above either eliminating, player for Wales with 130. 2015, the Pumas started their Cinderella’s Castle. eviscerating, or edging With Jones sitting beside Pool C campaign with a heart- Now it’s time to produce the Welsh in five him, Gatland paid tribute. breaking 23-21 loss to France. their own fireworks show in “Since he’s been captain we Argentina were 20-3 behind straight match-ups over Tokyo in the Rugby World Cup. don’t have as many fights at at the break only to stage a dra- And when it comes to Sun- the last 28 years. training because he used to matic second-half rally and take day’s opponent Wales, the Wal- start most of them,” Gatland a one-point lead, before a drop labies usually do. Australia’s head coach Michael Cheika quipped. goal from Camille Lopez con- Until last November, Aus- balances a ball on his fingers during a “That’s how competitive he demned them to an agonising tralia had won 13 straight training session in Urayasu, yesterday. was. People who get to the top defeat. against Wales, including a 2011 have a drive and a desire to want England, who’ve beaten World Cup third-place playoff to be successful and he’s defi- both Tonga and the United at Eden Park and a 2015 World this World Cup encounter. playoff for third, Australia has its forwards, and the entire pack nitely done that. He doesn’t say States in their opening two Cup pool game at Twickenham Wales won’t be wondering won every contest at the tour- was retained. a lot, he just leads from the front matches, are expected to top that became an instant classic. when they at Tokyo nament since, either elimi- But Cheika decided to at training and matches, and sets Pool C and take one of the two Last November, Wales pre- Stadium. nating, eviscerating, or edging promote his veterans along with a great example. We’re very quarter-final places on offer. vailed for the first time in a “Losing games in the last the Welsh in five straight match- Dane Haylett-Petty and drop lucky to have him.” That means Argentina real- decade, 9-6 in Cardiff. The minute in half a dozen contests ups over the last 28 years. Nic White and Kurtley Beale to Jones said there was some istically require a bonus-point outcome was significant. For can be quite demoralising,” By unspoken coincidence, the reserves, and Christian blood spilled in training on win over the Pacific islanders almost the entire Welsh squad, coach Warren Gatland says. Wallabies coach Michael Cheika Leali’ifano altogether. Winger Thursday, showing how much this weekend if they are to used to wins snatched from “Australia was one we targeted went back to the 2015 World Reece Hodge was suspended. the players were on edge. deprive France of the second them by Australia in the dying specially to try to right the Cup in promoting halves Will Cheika said the moves were The only obvious edge about qualifying spot. moments of matches, they wrongs.” Genia and Bernard Foley, and pre-planned and not based on the Wallabies has been on “What pains us is how well finally got over the hump. It was The memory of that result wing Adam Ashley-Cooper form. He believes the risk will Hodge, who was suspended for we played in one half and how by only three points, but the gives them a great shot at ending among four changes to his pan out. the rest of their pool games for badly in the other, knowing all shift in mindset was bigger: The another, even longer, losing starting lineup, all in the “I just want to make a dif- a dangerous tackle. the time that we are perfectly Welsh now knew what victory streak to Australia in Rugby backline, after their opening ferent picture for this game,” he But Australia won’t be side- capable of playing 80 minutes against the pesky Wallabies felt World Cups. 39-21 comeback win over Fiji says. tracked by Hodge’s banishment, of high-intensity, intelligent and like, and how to finish them off. After Wales won their first last weekend. Gatland preferred the same just as Wales wasn’t sidetracked fast rugby,” said Argentina The timing was impeccable, World Cup match-up in 1987 in Australia rallied from 21-12 picture, picking the same last week by assistant coach Rob centre Jeronimo de la Fuente. being their last meeting before what turned out to be a thrilling down in the second half through starting XV which blew away Howley’s banishment. “We are fully aware of how important the clash with France was, and it hurt to lose. We are RUGBY WORLD CUP GLANCE fully confident that we will show Ireland’s Feek wary up against Tonga, and against (Team, Played, Won, Lost, for, against, Points) England and the USA of Japanese threat afterwards.” POOL A P W D L F A PTS Samoa 1 1 0 0 34 9 5 Meanwhile, Argentina coach Ireland 1 1 0 0 27 3 5 Mario Ledesma insisted all was SHIZUOKA Japan 1 1 0 0 30 10 5 not lost for his side. Scotland 1 0 0 1 3 27 0 “We must do what we set Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek said the Rugby Russia 2 0 0 2 19 64 0 out to do,” Ledesma said. World Cup Pool A favourites are under no illusions Japan 30, Russia 10 “Against France, we didn’t about the challenge they will face against hosts Ireland 27, Scotland 3 in the first 40 minutes, so this Japan on Saturday, having witnessed it first hand Samoa 34, Russia 9 time we must remain focused over the past 18 months. and overcome our mistakes. The The former New Zealand prop joined Japanese POOL B most dangerous teams are the Top League club NEC Green Rockets last year and Italy 2 2 0 0 95 29 10 ones who aren’t afraid to make has combined his assistant role in Chiba with his New Zealand 1 1 0 0 23 13 4 mistakes.” duties in the Irish set up that he will give up after South Africa 1 0 0 1 13 23 0 Pumas captain Pablo Matera Namibia 1 0 0 1 22 47 0 five years at the end of the World Cup. added: “If we are talking about Canada 1 0 0 1 7 48 0 Feek, who has spent almost a decade in Ireland New Zealand 23, South Africa 13 confidence, the team stands firm having first worked with his boss Joe Schmidt at Italy 47, Namibia 22 and tall, because what we did Leinster, said the dynamic Japanese front row’s Italy 48, Canada 7 during the second half with strong upper bodies and ability to scrum low and France we can always compact has become a real strength. POOL C replicate.” “I think over the last couple of seasons there England 2 2 0 0 80 10 10 Tonga were well beaten has been a real emphasis of getting it to a top inter- France 1 1 0 0 23 21 4 35-3 by England in their opening national standard,” Feek told a news conference Argentina 1 0 0 1 21 23 1 match of this World Cup, with yesterday ahead of the clash between the sides who Tonga 1 0 0 1 3 35 0 the defeat made worse by the recorded bonus point wins in their opening games. United States 1 0 0 1 7 45 0 fact both centre Nafi Tuitavake “My knowledge on Japanese scrummaging goes France 23, Argentina 21 (arm) and fly-half Kurt Morath back probably 12 years, maybe longer, 15 years. England 35, Tonga 3 (throat) suffered tournament- There is a real culture around the scrum, a lot of England 45, United States 7 ending injuries. the companies (Top League clubs) will travel two Their last World Cup match POOL D hours to have live scrum sessions against each other Wales 1 1 0 0 43 14 5 against Argentina, a 45-16 loss and there seems to be a real knowledge and thirst Australia 1 1 0 0 39 21 5 in England four years ago, lit- to get better.” Japanese players in action during Uruguay 1 1 0 0 30 27 4 erally left its mark on some “We’re under no illusions that this week will a training session at the Shizuoka Fiji 2 0 0 2 48 69 2 Tonga players. be tough knowing the proud nature of Japanese Stadium Ecopa in Fukuroi, Japan, Georgia 1 0 0 1 14 43 0 “I don’t remember much, rugby.” yesterday, ahead of today’s match Australia 39, Fiji 21 but I remember this,” said Ireland named an unchanged pack from Sun- against Ireland. Wales 43, Georgia 14 flanker Sione Kalamafoni, day’s 27-3 win over Scotland after number eight Uruguay 30, Fiji 27 pointing to a scar on his knee. Jack Conan, who impressed off the bench, was ruled out after his foot was trod on in training. Feek said the extent of the injury would be assessed over the Argentinian players take part in a captain’s run during training yesterday. next couple of days, describing it as a little bit of a England’s Francis cited setback. Ireland gave the Scots very few opportunities for dangerous tackle to score in an ultra-disciplined performance. One of the team’s mantras under Schmidt is to be the AFP most disciplined team in world rugby, his scrum TOKYO coach said, declaring that one would struggle to find a team that works harder at it in the last 20 England’s Piers Francis was cited for foul play yesterday after years. a tackle that left USA fullback Will Hooley concussed at the After winger Kotaro Matsushima said indisci- Rugby World Cup. pline cost Japan in their twin defeats to Ireland two Francis will appear before a three-member independent years ago, another participant in those games, judicial committee in Tokyo, following England’s 45-7 win over centre Garry Ringrose, said Ireland know they will the Eagles in Kobe on Thursday. face a much tougher task this time. The centre made the tackle from the opening kick-off in an “They’re definitely a different beast... We’re incident that drew wide commentary on social media. under no illusions of how much stronger and how His citing comes after Australia’s Reece Hodge and Rey Lee-Lo much better they are,” Ringrose said. of Samoa both received three-match bans for high tackles, which are under heavy scrutiny at the Rugby World Cup. 04 SPORT SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019 SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 05

Men’s 100m: kings win their respective heats to advance The iconic Khalifa International Stadium

Guinea-Bissau's Braima Suncar Dabo helps Aruba's Jonathan Busby to finish the race during the men’s 5,000m heats. South Africa’s Akani Simbine Justin Gatlin of the US USA’s Christian Coleman ’s Paulo Andre Camilo De Oliveira ’s Zharnel Hughes ’s Yohan Blake

Sweden’s Angelica Bengtsson in action during the Women’s Qualification on the opening day of the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at the Khalifa International Stadium, yesterday. COLLAGE BY: RIZWAN REHMAT / THE PENINSULA

Athletes in action during the Men's 5000 Metres Heats. PICTURES: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA 06 SPORT SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019

F1: Verstappen Karachi’s ODI return delayed as beats Leclerc to set pace in Russian GP Sri Lanka match washed out practice

AFP “It’s so sad,” said Rubeena REUTERS KARACHI Ahmed, a bank employee in the SOCHI stands. “I took half a day off to Heavy rain washed out the watch my favourite players Max Verstappen knocked opening match of Sri Lanka’s playing a one-day match after Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc tour of Pakistan before play such a long time.” off the top of the timesheets began yesterday, disappointing Karachi will still host the to go fastest on the opening fans who had flocked to remaining ODIs on the tour, with day of practice for the Russian the stadium for what was to be tomorrow’s match rescheduled Formula One Grand Prix. the first ODI played on a Karachi to Monday to avoid possible rain. The Red Bull driver was pitch in a decade. The two teams will also play narrowly edged out by Teams have been reluctant three internationals Leclerc, winner of two of the to visit the cricket-mad country in Lahore next month. last three races, in yesterday’s since a deadly militant attack on The latest series is an attempt opening 90 minutes of the Sri Lankan team bus in by Pakistan Cricket Board to running. Lahore in 2009, and Karachi has bring international cricket back But the Dutchman, also a not hosted a one-day interna- into the country following the two-time winner this year, tional since then. 2009 attacks. struck back with a one minute Since then Pakistan have Zimbabwe were the first 33.162-second lap after lunch, been forced to play nearly all of team to tour in Pakistan for six ending the day 0.335 seconds their “home” matches in the years when they played two quicker than the United Arab Emirates due to and three one-day Monegasque. security concerns. internationals in Lahore in 2015. “Today was very positive Heavy showers began as That was followed by a and the car worked really well soon the teams were whisked World XI tour and home T20 on both tyres,” said Ver- into the National Stadium under matches against Sri Lanka and stappen, who is carrying a Sri Lankan cricket fans arrive at the National Cricket Stadium ahead of the one-day international tight security in the afternoon. the West Indies. five-place engine-related grid between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Karachi yesterday. Incessant rain caused a washout of the first The disappointment from For the current tour, Pakistan penalty. spectators was palpable. have put in place stringent day-night one-day international, the first in Karachi for 10 years. Valtteri Bottas was third “I came... to celebrate the security measures normally ahead of championship leader return of cricket in Karachi but reserved for heads of state. hotel and at the ground. Dimuth Karunaratne as well as received information of a pos- Lewis Hamilton. it turned out to be a damp squib,” All the arrangements are But the security guarantee former captains Angelo Mathews sible terror threat, before an all- The Mercedes team mates said Abu Bakar, a school student being led by the country’s mil- did not stop the withdrawal of and Dinesh Chandimal. clear was issued last week. moved ahead of Ferrari’s who came to the stadium with itary, with around 2,000 security several key Sri Lankan players, The tour was also put on hold Sebastian Vettel, whose win classmates. personnel on alert at the team’s including regular ODI captain after the Sri Lankan government in Singapore last week ended a 13-month drought for the Covers are laid out on the pitch during heavy monsoon rain at the National Cricket Stadium four-time champion, with the in Karachi yesterday. Essex hold off German slipping from third to fifth. But it was an uncharac- teristically off-colour day for Somerset to win the usually dominant cham- pions, with the silver cars hin- dered by niggling problems in Championship the morning and a lack of pace that saw them end the day more than half a second AFP off Verstappen’s best. “It’s been a day of dis- covery and exploring,” said Essex won England’s County Championship for the second time in Hamilton, who complained of three years after holding off a spirited charge by Somerset on the braking problems in the final day of the season on Thursday. opening session and is hoping After over 200 overs had been lost over the first three days of for a wet qualifying session on the match, second-placed Som- Saturday. erset needed to take 20 Essex “We’ve just been trying to on the final day for an figure out how we can improbable first ever County improve the car but it’s not an Championship title after making easy task,” the five-time 203 in their first innings. champion added. Essex were cruising to a double Despite their lack of form -- after also winning the T20 Blast which some commentators last weekend -- when former suspected was down to sand- Batsman Head England captain Alistair Cook saw bagging -- when teams delib- Australia’s ODI skipper them beyond lunch for the loss of erately run slower to hide signs for Sussex just one . their car’s true potential -- After Cook fell for 53, the vis- Hamilton and Mercedes Finch says he is eyeing itors collapsed from 102-1 to 141 remain on course for a record AFP all out with England spinner Jack sixth title double. a Test comeback SYDNEY Leach taking 5-32. The Briton, winner of Somerset then forfeited their second innings in the small hope eight races this year, leads Australian batsman Travis Head of skittling Essex out again for less than 62. Bottas by 65 points in the AFP has said he is thrilled after However, Cook saw his side through with 30 before the overall standings and is 96 SYDNEY signing for English county side teams shook hands on a draw with Essex 45-1. clear of Verstappen and Sussex as their overseas player “We knew it was going to be a dogfight with the state of the Leclerc, his closest non-Mer- Australia’s one-day skipper Aaron Finch is keen to play for the 2020 season. wicket,” said Essex captain . cedes challengers who are again after watching the top order fail to fire during the recent Ashes The Test star, who was part “We knew it was prodigiously turning and needed some calm joint third, with six races to go. series. of the Australian side that heads at the end there. The German team, The 32-year-old was dumped after scoring just 97 runs in three retained the Ashes in England “I wasn’t nervous, but you never know when the wicket is winners of 10 of this season’s Tests as an opener against India last summer, later declaring his this month, was supposed to spinning like that. 15 races, lead Ferrari by 133 chances of padding up again had “probably slipped away”. join Sussex for a stint this year Another former England great, Marcus Trescothick, also made points in the constructors’ But he is reinvigorated and eyeing another chance after David before his call-up for interna- a fleeting farewell appearance when he came on top field for the standings. But they head into Warner, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft all misfired against tional duty. final few overs. tomorrow’s Russian round, a England. “I was disappointed not to Trescothick, 43, was playing for the final time for Somerset after race they have won every year Finch said plans to score as many runs as possible in the have been able to take up my a 26-year stay but had to settle for second in the Championship for since it joined the calendar in upcoming domestic Sheffield Shield season to catch the attention contract this summer,” he said the fifth time in 10 seasons. 2014, reeling from three suc- of selectors ahead of the home Test series against Pakistan and New late Thursday, adding that he cessive defeats. Pictures Zealand, starting in November. was “thrilled” that the team A fourth loss this posted on “For me personally, it’s about probably having one really good were still keen to have him for weekend, unprecedented for crack at trying to get back to the Test team again,” he told SEN sports 2020. Essex’s official the German outfit in Formula radio on Wednesday. “Obviously (I’ll) just try and get some runs, “I can’t wait,” added the One’s turbo-hybrid era, will get some big runs there. That’s my plan. 25-year-old left-hander, who handle shows set alarm bells ringing at their “If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. I’m comfortable with can also bowl off-spin. Alaistar Cook, Brackley headquarters. that.” Sussex coach Jason the retired For Ferrari it will offer Finch, an aggressive short-format specialist who has played just Gillespie, a fellow Australian, England evidence that their resur- five Tests, is taking inspiration from Matthew Wade, who forced his said he had been looking for a batting star, gence, albeit late, is real. way back into the Test team by hammering more than 1,000 Shield top-four batsman to improve with the “There is still quite a lot of runs last season. the team and Head fit the bill. English County lap time to be gained on our “I think it’s a credit to himself, but also the hard work he’s done “We have a really good Championship side,” said Leclerc, who has on his technique and the coaches down at Tassie (Tasmania) have relationship and after we trophy started the last three races done a fantastic job,” he said of Wade, who hit two Ashes decided here at Sussex that an (above), from pole and was left fuming hundreds. overseas batsman would com- and a player after Ferrari’s strategy denied Finch’s state side Victoria have four Shield games for him to plement our squad next year, I montage him a third consecutive win shine ahead of the opening Test against Pakistan on November 21 just knew that Travis would be (left). in Singapore last week. in Brisbane. ideal,” he said. SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 07

Andy Murray of Britain hits a Sabalenka upsets Barty to set return against of Australia during their match at the Championships up final showdown with Riske on Thursday. REUTERS Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus hits a return in the match than I WUHAN against Ashleigh Barty of Australia at the deserved to be.” Wuhan Open in Wuhan yesterday. Unseeded American Aryna Sabalenka moved one step closer Alison Riske beat two- to defending her Wuhan Open crown times champion Petra after dispatching world number one Ash Kvitova 7-5 7-5 in the Barty in straight sets with a 7-5 6-4 other semi-final to victory in the semi-final yesterday. advance to her first Barty struggled to compete with a Premier final. calf injury limiting her movement and Kvitova’s poor service service game. She made eight double game saw her concede 15 faults and was broken three times in the break points, of which one hour 43 minute contest to give Riske converted four to Sabalenka her third win over the Aus- win the match in straight tralian in five encounters. sets despite a late Top seed Barty was forced to call for fightback from the Czech a trainer for treatment on her calf but who finished with 45 gave due credit to Sabalenka for what unforced errors. Murray says playing was the Belarusian’s 11th straight victory “I always thought I in Wuhan. was good, but I never “I’m sure (the injury) is nothing that is really kind of embodied only ‘top-70’ tennis too alarming. I tried to do the best that I that,” Riske said. “In the could to protect it in a way without letting big moments, I wasn’t it affect my tennis too much,” Barty said. really delivering. after Zhuhai exit “Overall, Aryna was the better player “I feel like it’s taken me today. She was able to control her service a while. I had spurts of it. AFP games a lot better. I felt at times I was I’m 29, so it’s about time I ZHUHAI hanging on a little bit. get something right here.” “I had to take a lot of risks today to The final will be held Former number one Andy Murray said he was playing only “top-70, top-60” try to manage where I was at. I was more today. tennis after his bid to win a first singles title since major hip surgery came to a premature end on Thursday. The flagging Briton lost over three sets to the 31st-ranked Australian Alex de Minaur at the Zhuhai Championships in . Kyrgios on ‘best Tennis Results Murray, now 413 in the world, said afterwards that for “the first time in my entire career I did not practise the day before a match” -- part of a new routine to wring the most out of his creaking body. Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals It did not bring a second victory in three days though as De Minaur won 4-6, behaviour’ after Albert Ramos-Vinolas (8), Spain, def. Gael 6-2, 6-4 in just over two-and-a-half hours. He plays fourth seed Borna Coric from Monfils (3), France, 7-5, 6-4. Croatia on Friday in the last eight. , France, def. Damir The 32-year-old Murray on Tuesday won his first ATP Tour singles match suspended ban Dzumhur, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 6-1, 6-4. since career-saving surgery in January with a three-set victory over American Roberto Bautista-Agut (2), Spain, def. Tennys Sandgren. AFP Andreas Seppi, Italy, 6-2, 6-2. Murray said he was pleased with aspects of his performance against 20-year- SYDNEY Alex de Minaur (7), Australia, def. Borna Coric old De Minaur and his hip was fine, but admitted that he still lacked match fitness. (4), Croatia, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. “My feeling tonight was at points I played very well but I was not able to sustain Combustible tennis star Nick Kyrgios yesterday insisted he’ll be on my level,” he said. his “best behaviour” for the next six months after being put on Wuhan Open “I am not playing top-20, top-30 tennis right now, I maybe am playing only probation by the ATP following a series of recent on-court outbursts. Women’s Singles: Semi-finals top-70, top-60 level,” he added. The temperamental Australian was hit with a suspended 16-week Aryna Sabalenka (9), Belarus, def. Ashleigh “Physically I was struggling. I could play one or two good points, but then I ban on Thursday which can be lifted after a six-month probationary Barty (1), Australia, 7-5, 6-4. was trying to finish the points a little bit early and shot selection then goes down period provided he meets certain strict criteria. Alison Riske, United States, def. Petra Kvitova when you’re tired.” It includes seeking support from a specialist in behavioural man- (5), Czech Republic, 7-5, 7-5. Murray will play the China Open in next week as he ramps up his agement during the off-season. return, but admitted this week that he does not expect to recapture the scintil- “Guess I’m on my best behaviour for 6 months,” he told his 1.2 lating form that brought him three Grand Slams. million Instagram followers, while adding the hashtag #detention. Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals Having enjoyed a day’s rest, Murray started with intent against De Minaur but In response to one user saying he should have been banned for Alexander Bublik, Kazakhstan, def. Grigor Dim- failed to get his serve firing consistently and clocked up two double faults as he life, the Australian replied: “Well no not really. I’m chilling, relaxing. itrov (4), Bulgaria, 5-7, 7-6 (9), 7-6 (3). surrendered his second service game. I’ll speak when I want.” Lloyd Harris, South Africa, def. Joao Sousa, But the Briton, number one in the world in 2016, broke back twice and sealed The ATP opened a probe into Kyrgios following an explosive Portugal, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4. the first set when the Australian seventh seed fired long. meltdown at last month’s Cincinnati Masters which saw him smash Denis Shapovalov (8), Canada, def. Egor De Minaur burst back in the second set however and Murray looked to be two racquets, launch an abusive tirade at the chair umpire before Gerasimov, Belarus, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. fading physically, the match going into a deciding set. appearing to spit at the official during a second-round match. Pablo Carreno Busta, Spain, def. Cristian Garin, “My body held up well after two pretty long matches but the rest of my body He was fined US$113,000 for ball abuse, leaving the court without Chile, 7-5, 6-2. is just tired,” said Murray. permission, an audible obscenity and unsportsmanlike conduct Men’s Doubles: Quarter-finals “My level dropped off a little bit and he capitalised on that.” during his loss to Russia’s Karen Khachanov. Nicholas Monroe and Taylor Fritz, United Top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas meanwhile had trouble breathing and quit his Kyrgios, 24, has five days to appeal the suspended ban, but has States, def. Austin Krajicek, United States, and opening match before the deciding set. yet to indicate whether he will or not. Dominic Inglot (2), Britain, 7-6 (5), 6-2. The 21-year-old Greek was the strong favourite against unseeded Adrian Man- While he was penalised for the Cincinnati outbursts, he avoided Dusan Lajovic and Nikola Cacic, Serbia, def. narino of France and took the first set 6-3. further punishment for calling the ATP “pretty corrupt” during the Zhe Li and Xin Gao, China, 7-6 (5), 6-3. But he appeared to labour badly after that, bending over several times and US Open after he “clarified” his comment. Kyrgios, who boasts a Men’s Doubles: Semi-finals putting his hands on his knees. long list of misdemeanours, was scheduled to play the China Open Jonathan Erlich, Israel, and Fabrice Martin (4), He lost the second set 7-5 and retired soon after, looking red in the face and next week but pulled out on Thursday, citing a collarbone injury. France, def. Ivan Dodig, Croatia, and Filip Polasek burying his head in his hands. “I’ll be heading back to Australia to rest and recover. See you (1), Slovakia, 6-2, 5-7, 10-8. “I’m very sorry to all the fans who came to see me play tonight in Zhuhai,” all soon,” said the 27th-ranked firebrand after his first-round exit said the world number seven. I was trying my best but unfortunately I had to retire at the Zhuhai Championships. as I was struggling to breathe out on court.” Born in war, Dzumhur defied destruction to win titles

AFP “On May 21, my uncle came to see me so he was risking his As a young teenager, ZHUHAI to pick us up from the hospital life to see me also,” Dzumhur Dzumhur got a minor role in the and on May 22, the hospital was said. award-winning film “Grbavica”, Damir Dzumhur was an actor as evacuated and then bombed,” Sarajevo’s 350,000 residents then soon after landed a leading a boy, and the story of how he Dzumhur said. struggled to get basic necessities part in a German movie filmed was born in a war zone and later “We were lucky that we had and at least 10,000 were killed in Sarajevo. became an elite tennis player someone to pick us up and we by sniping and shelling by Serbs. “The first time I earned would make a great plot for a had somewhere to go for the first Dzumhur was too young to money in my life was from the film. few months. remember the full extent of the movies,” he said, adding that he The 27-year-old Bosnian “I know that for my mother panic, chaos and death, but it would consider returning to recounted his story to AFP at the that was the toughest and the was in the immediate aftermath acting one day. Zhuhai Championships in China, worst -- but at the same time the that he began playing tennis as Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia But that is for the future and where he was into the quarter- best -- time of her life. a small boy under the tutelage of serves against Adrian the fiercely proud Bosnian said finals and chasing a fourth ATP “You have a baby, you just his father. Mannarino of France that the circumstances in which title. gave birth, but you are in the It was a journey that would during their quarter- he was brought into the world It was spring 1992, and middle of a war with nowhere take him to 23rd in the world final at the Zhuhai drive him to make a success of Bosnian Serb troops had to go and you don’t have your rankings last year, although his Championships yesterday. his tennis career. enforced a deadly siege of the husband with you.” progress this season has been “Knowing where you come Bosnian capital Sarajevo which Many people had fled stilted by injuries. from and those days, those years, would drag on for 44 months. Sarajevo and Dzumhur’s father He began practising at Sara- or , the sorts of places Dzumhur. As part of its recon- and knowing it was not easy to Heavily pregnant Zaneta Nerfid, who was later to jevo’s Zetra Olympic Hall, which where many of the world’s top struction, they built an ice go through everything since I braved the shelling and sniper introduce him to tennis, did not had suffered extensive damage tennis players grew up learning hockey rink next to the tennis was young, it really makes you fire and negotiated barricades to meet his son until he was nearly from bombing and been used as the game on pristine courts. court. special inside,” he said. reach hospital. On May 20, she one. a morgue, as well as a place for “Zetra was still destroyed, “It was barely warm enough “In the end, every sacrifice gave birth to a boy, risking her “After 11 months, he refugees. windows were blown out and to feel the racquet in your hand,” comes with a good end and life to give Dzumhur one. somehow got back into the city It is all a far cry from one part was all burnt,” said he laughed. happy end.” SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 08 Everyone knows the fearless brand of Former South Africa cricket Afghanistan play. I am very all-rounder confident that with some hard work we can TODAY’S ACTION become one of the best sides in the world. Lance Klusener ARGENTINA VS TONGA (Pool C) 07:45 Qatar Time after being appointed I am really looking forward to working with JAPAN VS IRELAND (Pool A) 10:15 Qatar Time the Afghanistan team and helping them as new head coach of SOUTH AFRICA VS NAMIBIA (Pool B) 12:45 Qatar Time take their cricket to the next level. Afghanistan.

Dina to challenge Jamaican sprint queens

IAAF be one of the most fascinating contests DOHA of the championships given its mix of proven champions at world and conti- Two Jamaican Olympic 100m cham- nental levels. pions, past and present: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, 32, returned to the Fraser-Pryce, gold medallist in 2008 track in earnest last year after giving and 2012; Elaine Thompson, winner of birth to a son, and this season she has the 100m and 200m in 2016. They stand regained the levels she attained previ- joint top of this season’s world list with ously, winning at the Lausanne and bests of 10.73. London IAAF Diamond League meetings. Do we need to look any further for Thompson, 27, who finished mar- the woman who will take 100m gold at ginally ahead of Fraser-Pryce as they the IAAF World Athletics Championships both clocked that 10.73 timing in Doha 2019? Maybe Dina Asher-Smith Kingston on 21 June, won at the IAAF would have a view on that… Diamond League meeting in Paris last However it turns out, this is likely to month in 10.98. But no one sprinter has WOMEN'S 100 METRES Dina Asher-Smith of the USA established dominance so far this season in the 100m, with Event Timing Britain’s 23-year-old Heats: Today at 16:30 European 100m and 200m Semi-Final: Tomorrow at 21:20 champion Asher-Smith fin- Final: Tomorrow at 23:20 ishing the IAAF Diamond League season on a high by London 2017 medallists taking the 100m title in Gold: Tori Bowie (USA) 10.85 Brussels in a season’s best of Silver: Marie-Josée Ta Lou (CIV) 10.86 10.88, ahead of Fraser-Pryce, Bronze: Dafne Schippers (NED) 10.96 who clocked 10.95. Thompson was not in that race. In third place was Ivory 2019 Best 1: Elaine Thompson (JAM) 10.73 Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou, 2: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) 10.73 world silver medallist at 100m 3: Sha'carri Richardson (USA) 10.75 and 200m in London two 4: Dina Asher-Smith (GBR) 10.88 years ago, who looks a strong world medal contender again Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson (left) on her way to win a race in this file photo. 5: Marie-Josée Ta Lou (CIV) 10.93 this year. Her team-mate Murielle Ahoure, who has run 10.93 this title last year. Ahoure, 32, already has There will, of course, be a strong English Gardener has only run 11.16 season and has a best of 10.78, 100m and 200m world silver medals challenge too from the United States, this season, but she is a class performer will also be one to watch, from 2013. with Tori Bowie returning to defend the who has a best of 10.74. US team-mate especially if she can bring the Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare has also title she won in London. She has run Teahna Daniels has a clocking of 10.99 sharpness she showed in had a strong season, finishing fifth in 11.09 this season, although she has a best to her credit from May 24 in winning the world indoor 60m Brussels. of 10.78. Sacramento.

MEN'S 200 of METRES the US reacts Lyles stands out as favourite after winning the men’s 100m HEATS: Tomorrow at 20:05 at the Diamond SEMI-FINALS: September 30 League finals in at 20:50 to win Doha 200m gold Zurich, in this file FINAL: October 01 at 22:40 photo. LONDON 2017 IAAF man who inflicted a rare 200m defeat on him MEDALLISTS DOHA by winning at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in in 19.70, 21-year-old Michael Gold: (TUR) Noah Lyles’s talent and exuberance has lit up Norman of the US, is concentrating on his main 20.09 athletics for a number of years. Although he event of the 400m at the World Silver: Wayde Van Niekerk only turned 22 in July, this young sprinter from Championships. (RSA) 20.11 Gainesville, Florida, has already won gold But present and correct will be Turkey’s Bronze: Jereem Richards medals at the Youth Olympics, Pan American defending champion Ramil Guliyev, who will (TTO) 20.11 Junior Championships and World U20 Cham- be ready to seize on any mistakes Lyles might pionships, as well as winning the Diamond make having improved his personal best to WORLD RECORD/ trophy for 200m for the past three seasons. 19.76 in last year. CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD Now, at the IAAF World Athletics Cham- Guliyev followed Lyles home at the IAAF Usain Bolt (JAM) 19.19 pionships Doha 2019, he stands ready to earn Diamond League final in 19.86, just 0.01 ahead at the Berlin Olympiastadion what could be the first of many senior global of Canada’s Olympic silver medallist Andre De on August 20 2009 titles. Grasse, who, as he makes his full recovery Earlier in the season Lyles was still in two from a hamstring injury, could once again minds about whether to go for the 100m and return to a global championships podium. 2019 BEST 200m in Doha, but he made his decision And Lyles will have to contend with ahead of the US Trials – where he contested another 22-year-old talent who has succeeded 1: Noah Lyles (USA) 19.50 the 200m only – and with his task simplified De Grasse as NCAA champion over 200m: 2: Michael Norman (USA) he won in 19.78 at Des Moines, 0.24 faster Nigeria’s Divine Oduduru, who won the colle- 19.70 than the man who had taken world 100m giate 200m title in June this year in a cham- 3: Divine Oduduru (NGR 19.73 silver two years earlier, Christian Coleman. pionship record of 19.73, the third fastest Next up: the IAAF Diamond League. Tick. recorded this year. 4: Kenneth Bednarek (USA) Only this time he prefaced it by winning the Oduduru finished last over 100m in 19.82 100m title the week before in Zurich in 9.98. Monaco when he made his IAAF Diamond 5: Ramil Guliyev (TUR) 19.86 His season’s best of 9.86 in that event, set League debut in July. But he has already when winning in , puts him second proven himself as a championship 200m per- Lyles’ 19.50 run at the IAAF on this year’s world list to Coleman’s 9.81. former, having won silver at the 2014 IAAF Diamond League meeting in In Doha, where he competes as the fastest World U20 Championships, the 2018 African Lausanne, puts him fourth 200m runner this year, having run 19.50 at Championships and this year’s African Games. the IAAF Diamond League meeting in One to be watched. on the world all-time list Lausanne, putting him fourth on the world Others who could make a serious impact behind Usain Bolt, world all-time list behind Usain Bolt, world record- include Lyles’s US team-mate Kenneth record-holder with 19.19, holder with 19.19, Jamaican team-mate Yohan Bednarek, who has run 19.82 this year, Ecua- Jamaican team-mate Yohan Blake, who has run 19.26, and USA’s former dor’s consistent performer Alex Quinonez, who Blake, who has run 19.26, world record-holder Michael Johnson, who has run 19.87, Miguel Francis of Britain, who and USA’s former world ran 19.32 in winning the 1996 Olympic title has a 19.88 clocking, and China’s Xie Zhenye, in Atlanta. who has also run 19.88. record-holder Michael For all his achievements, however, Lyles And let’s not, of course, forget the man Johnson, who ran 19.32 in faces some serious opposition in Qatar. The who has a best of 19.85 – Coleman. winning the 1996 Olympic title in Atlanta.