World Championships

Shot-putter Ralf Bartels took the bronze medal in the shot put competition, achieving a personal best throw of 21.37 meters. Christian Cantwell from the USA won the world title with Olympic Champion Tomasz Majewski in second place.

"This is a very beautiful feeling. It is extreme. I need this. I feel so crazy," said the 31-year-old German, who also took bronze in the 2005 championships.

One of the other highlights of the day was Antje Moeldner's 3,000 meters steeplechase performance in the preliminary heat. She clocked a time of 9:21.72, setting a new German record.

"My goal was a place in the first four. I succeeded by finishing second", said Moeldner. "This record will boost my self-confidence."

Linet Masai ended a 12-year title drought for Kenya with a victory in the women's 10,000 meter race. Masai won the event in 30 minutes 51.24 seconds, beating Ethiopian season leader Meselech Melkamu (30:51.34) on the final strides, with Meseret Dafar of Ethiopia third at 30:51.95.

Russian takes gold in walking

German President Horst Koehler had officially opened the nine-day championships in the Olympic Stadium in the German capital a few hours after Valeriy Borchin of Russia added the 20km walk title to his Olympic gold in the first final, which was held at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.

Germany's Andre Hoehne came in a disappointing 14th place, after finishing fourth in the last World Championships.

"It was really a great setting for the race. It was Berlin's proposal and we were very reluctant, at first. I am glad we listened to Berlin," said competition director Paul Hardy from the governing body IAAF.

On Friday, the German capital hosted a welcoming party for the more than 2,000 athletes. Berlin's Governing Mayor Klaus Wowereit told the gathering, "We want world records, good sportsmanship and peaceful games."

Sprinters take it in their stride

The three-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt strolled through his second round race, easing up after little more than half of the distance and spending the remaining seconds exchanging smiles with Antiguan runner Daniel Bailey. Bailey won in 10.02 seconds to Bolt's 10.03.

Jamaican star Asafa Powell, the former world record holder, was lucky to get through the first round. He dominated the first 50 meters, but then he started cruising and the competition caught up. Powell came third in his heat and avoided elimination by just 200ths of a second.

The 100 meter competition will reach its climax with the final on Sunday evening. Expectations are high that Bolt can better his world record of 9.69 seconds set at last year's Beijing Olympics.

In the men's 1,500m heats, defending champion Bernard Lagat of the US advanced into the semi-finals in 3:41.60 minutes along with Kenyan Asbel Kiprop, who won the same heat in 3:41.42 minutes.

nrt/dpa/Reuters/AFP

Editor: Rick Demarest