Another star fails to shine

In the 800m,world-record holder David Rudisha of Kenya beat rival Abubaker Kaki of Sudan to win his first world title with yet another dominating performance. It was the 32nd straight race he has won in the last two years. The rangy Kenyan,who broke the world record twice in a week in 2010,took the title in a time of 1:43.91 ahead of Kaki. The bronze medal went to Russian Yuriy Borzakovskiy.

Photo-finish

In a thrilling 400 final,Kirani James of Grenada fought from behind to beat favorite LaShawn Merritt of the United States at the line,and Robert Harting of Germany extended his domination of the mens discus. Also,Tatyana Chernova of Russia ended the reign of Jessica Ennis in the heptathlon,coming from behind to take gold. But in front of 40,000 fans at Daegu Stadium,nothing could match another implosion by Isinbayeva.

Imperial despite recent performances to back it up,the two-time Olympic champion got into the competition last when others were already fighting for survival at a height of 4.65m. It turned out to be the only mark she would clear,only a slight improvement over her no-height performance at the worlds in Berlin two years ago,starting a spiral of decline. She took a one-year break after losing to Murer at last years indoor championships,hoping to come back stronger in Daegu. It didnt matter.

When she used to go into a huddle,covered by blankets or towels to concentrate,her competitors used to fail. Now,oblivious to the reclining former world champion,they went higher and higher,leaving the Russian behind. After Isinbayeva first missed at 4.75m,her rivals kept scaling the bar,forcing her into two attempts at 4.80 to even have a shot at the title. She failed.

Along with Chernova,Yuliya Zaripova put some balm on Russias wound by winning the steeplechase ahead of Habiba Ghribi of Tunisia. In the heptathlon,Chernova made the difference in the javelin early in the day,when the Russians season best throw of 52.95m contrasted sharply with Ennis 39.95. In the concluding 800,Chernova knew she could lose nine seconds to the Briton,but with a great finishing kick almost beat the hard-charging Ennis at the tape. It left the Russian with a total of 6,880 points,compared to 6,751 for Ennis. Jennifer Oeser of Germany took bronze with 6,572.

It was so easy for me. It was a great end of the year and will help me prepare for the Olympics with the sense that I am a winner, Chernova said. It strengthened the spirit and,if I can win over Jessica here,it can give me confidence for the future.

In early action,10,000 champion Vivian Cheruiyot coasted in the 5,000 heats to qualify for a final in which the defending champion can clinch a long-distance double.

Gowda seventh,Johnny fails

Vikas Gowda finished seventh after a creditable effort of 64.05m in the mens discus throw but Mayookha Johnny failed to qualify for the finals in womens triple jump. Appearing in his maiden discus throw finals in World Championships in three attempts,Gowda hurled the disc to his seasons best of 64.05m,which he recorded in his third attempt,though it was below his national record of 64.96m. Germanys Robert Harting won gold in 68.97m while Gerd Kanter of Estonia and Irans Ehsan Hadadi bagged the silver and bronze with 66.95 and 66.08 respectively.

Mayookha failed to qualify for the triple jump finals as she finished 19th with an effort of 13.99m,which she attained in her second effort. Shot putter Om Prakash Kharana and national record holder 800m runner Tintu Luka will compete on Thursday.