Drouin and Hughes set records

Matthew Hughes

Moscow – What an amazing day for Team Canada at the 2013 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championship in Moscow, Russia. Derek Drouin of Corunna, Ont., won bronze in the men’s high jump and set a Canadian Record of 2.38-metres while Matthew Hughes of Oshawa, Ont., placed sixth in the 3000-metres steeplechase final in a Canadian Record time of 8:11.64. Dylan Armstrong of Kamloops, B.C., qualified for tomorrow’s shot put final with a throw of 20.39-metres.

Derek Drouin on his performance, “I had to be composed as the first jumper in the field to put pressure on my competitors and I feel like I did a good job of that. I wanted to prove this year that I deserved to be on the podium in London 2012, feels good to have accomplished that goal.” Drouin adds, “I was joking after that I never thought I would only place third jumping 2.38-metres, I’m certainly not disappointed, it was an incredible competition.” This marked the first time in World Championship history that three athletes remained at a height of 2.41-metres.  “I felt like 2.41-metres was attainable but it’s always emotional when you set a personal best, getting another one in the same competition was a daunting task. That height is definitely a realistic goal for me now.”

This is already Canada’s second best ever showing at the World Championships after the 1995 edition in Sweden where the team won four medals. With three days to go Canada has already stepped on the podium on three occasions.

Hughes on his Canadian Record setting performance, “I stayed out of trouble early, when they started ramping it up with about 1-kilometre to go, which I knew was going to happen, I just tried to stay with them and hang on. I made it my goal to break the Canadian Record. With a lap to go I knew I was on pace for it. I tried to stay with the Kenyan pack and fight all the way. It was a huge relief when I saw the time come up on the board and finishing sixth is a huge accomplishment.”

Drouin and Hughes’ Canadian Records came within minutes of each other. Drouin improved the record of 2.36-metres that he set earlier this season. Hughes, born in 1989, bettered a record older than him, the previous Canadian best was 8:12.58 set by Graeme Fell in 1985.

Alex Genest of Lac-aux-Sables, Que., placed 13th in the 3000-metres steeplechase final in a time of 8:27.01. “It was a rough day, I don’t know what happened to be honest. I felt pretty good, just didn’t have the legs today. I was really tired after two laps, right away I knew it was going to be a tough one. But it’s a really big step for me, I’ll take the 13th place finish.”

Armstrong on what he expects for tomorrow’s shot put final, “I have no clue what it will take to medal, that’s always a moving target. It’s wide open; a lot of guys are in great shape including me. I’m ready to pop something good tomorrow, just need to put it all together.” At the last edition of the World Championships in 2011 Daegu, South Korea Dylan won silver.

Kimberly Hyacinthe of Lachenaie, QC., raced to a time of 23.12 seconds in the third semi-final of the 200-metres. She did not qualify for the final. “I felt good coming in, I did what I had to do in the curve running out of lane one. I just didn’t have it in the straightaway.”

Day 6 morning session highlights

Dylan Armstrong qualified for the men’s shot put final with a best toss of 20.39-metres to place seventh overall and advance to tomorrow’s final. “I’m feeling good, you know it’s always hard to have qualifying like this in the morning. Just wanted to get out here and pop a good one. I’ll definitely be more awake tomorrow night. Very excited to be going into the final.”

Tim Nedow of Brockville, Ont., finished with a best throw of 18.72-metres in qualifying. He placed 24th overall and did not advance to the final. “I was feeling mentally prepared, I was really excited to compete. Leading up though I had some tough practices. In warm-up I could barely throw 19-metres. I usually start my warm-up with 19-metres and then work my way to just over 20-metres. I guess I just didn’t have it today. Maybe I needed to go after it more, it’s my first Worlds, a learning experience.”

Karine Belleau-Béliveau of Montreal, Que., finished seventh in heat 1 of the women’s 800-metres in 2:02.93; she did not advance to the semis. “I felt really good the first lap, I think I may have went out a little too fast though, but that was my tactic going in. Coming in I had one of the slower times so I just had to go for it. This was my first World Championship experience, I learned a lot. Next time I’ll have more confidence and not go out as hard, be ready for a tactical race.”

Melissa Bishop of Eganville, Ont., did not advance to the 800-metres semi-final, she finished sixth in heat 4 in 2:01.91. “I wanted to get out and if the pace wasn’t there just take it. I didn’t want a repeat of the Olympic Games. I decided to take it out if the pace wasn’t there. I was feeling it so I went for it, obviously it didn’t turn out how I wanted.”

Kimberly Hyacinthe qualified for the 200-metres semi-final by finishing third in her heat in a time of 23.19 seconds. Crystal Emmanuel of York, Ont., was second in heat 3 in 23.14 and looked like she had a spot in the semi-final locked up. However seconds after the race she was disqualified for a lane violation and did not advance.