Russian sweep
August 21, 2009
Russia became the first country ever to win all three race walking events in world championship or Olympic competition on Friday.
2005 world champion Sergey Kirdyapkin's come-from-behind win completed the sweep when he finished the men's 50 kilometer walking event in 3 hours, 38 minutes and 35 seconds. Valeriy Borchin and Olga Kaniskina won the men's and women's 20 kilometer events, respectively.
Kirdyapkin, 29, credited his win in part to support he got from off the track: a message from his wife, Anisya Kirdyapkina, who narrowly missed out on the bronze medal during the women's walking event on August 16.
"I got an SMS from my wife this morning and she asked me to take revenge. And that's what happened," Kirdyapkin said.
Kirdyapkin didn't know he was making sports history. "Wow! That is amazing and I am delighted to have been part of this unique achievement, it is a wonderful moment for Russia," AFP quotes him as saying.
Norway's Trond Nymark came second in the race with a finishing time of 3:41:16, and Spaniard Jesus Angel Garcia came in third at 3:41:37.
svs/AFP/dpa/AP
Editor: Susan Houlton