Yokohama - Isinbayeva 4.72

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20060925TDY24003.htm

World record-holder Ishibayeva, who shockingly failed to clear a height in last year's meet, went over the bar at 4.72 meters to break Australian Tatiana Grigorieva's 2001 meet mark of 4.56.

Grigorieva also topped the record with a jump of 4.57 but had to settle for second. Australia's Kym Howe was third at 4.47.

Sawano outduels Walker


The special pole vault duel between Japan record-holder Daichi Sawano and American Brad Walker turned into a one-man show, and a mediocre one at that.

Sawano cleared 5.70 meters for the victory, but had already clinched it when he made the opening height of 5.50--while Walker flopped on all three attempts.

"It was a shame that Brad couldn't jump with me," said Sawano, who took aim at his Japan record of 5.83 but fell well short in three shots at 5.85. "I felt I had a shot at the Japan record, but I was too anxious."

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.athletics.org.au/news/detail ... D2006%2C09

Tatiana Grigorieva continued her sensational season with a new personal best leap of 4.57m in the pole vault. She finished second to Yelena Isinbayeva, the 24-year-old world record holder from Russia, who won with a new meet record of 4.72m. Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kym Howe finished third with a leap of 4.47 metres.

A rejuvenated Grigorieva continues to display exceptional form. In August, the Olympic silver medallist equalled her 4.56m personal best in Brussels, which she had previously set in Yokohama in 2001.

[BruceFlorman]

I haven't seen anything completely definitive, but I think Isi called it a night after clearing 4.72 and didn't make any token record attempts (which is more than fine by me, frankly - if she's not really feeling up for it, why not finish on a high note?). There are some "flash quote" type statements on the NikkanSports site ... but they're all in Japanese. Here's babelfish's best guess at what she said after a little manual tweaking:

エレーナ イシンバエワ (woman polevault)

4m 72 is satisfactory being a meet record. You have only the audience rejoice who sends the encouragement to which atmosphere of the meet itself is good, is warm in order it persevered. Especially now as for the meet, it meaning that the tournament is possible on home side, it is delightful. As for me we like to be watched.

Any Japanese speakers (readers) are encouranged to offer corrections.