Kazakhstan decathlete leads after five events
By Bob Baum
Associated Press
SAINT-DENIS, France — Dmitry Karpov of Kazakhstan set three personal bests and matched another yesterday to take a 50-point lead over American Tom Pappas halfway through the decathlon at the World Track and Field Championships.
Associated Press
World record holder Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic, strongest in the second day of competition, was in third, 176 points behind the leader.
Brian Clay was in third place before pulling a hamstring and dropping out.
Castle High graduate Bryan Clay was third through four events but pulled up in the 400 meters with a right hamstring injury and withdrew from the competition.
Pappas, trying to become the first American to win the decathlon at the worlds since Dan O'Brien in 1995, held off Sebrle to win his 400-meter heat in a personal best 47.58 seconds. Pappas' run came after a disappointing high jump of 6 feet, 10 1/4 inches
"I was very, very pleased with that performance," Pappas said of the 400. "I was a little ticked off from the high jump."
Through five events, Karpov had 4,599 points, including personal bests in the 100, shot put and 400. He matched his best in the high jump. Pappas was at 4,546, followed by Sebrle's 4,423. Claston Bernard of Jamaica was fourth with 4,239.
