Friday, Jun. 13, 2008

Cuban hurdler runs 12.87

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic — Cuba's Dayron Robles broke the world record in the 110-meter hurdles Thursday at the Golden Spike meet.

His time of 12.87 seconds shaved .01 of a second off the mark set two years ago by Liu Xiang, the Olympic and world champion considered China's best hope for gold on the track at the Beijing Games. Robles' previous best was 12.92. Terrence Trammell of the U.S. was second in 13.21.

"It is such a good time; I did not expect that. Wow!" Robles said. "Thanks, Ostrava! I am very happy and satisfied. I do not know if I can beat Liu Xiang in Beijing now. But we will see."

Robles' record overshadowed Usain Bolt's victory in the 200 in 19.83, a world-leading time for the season. It was the Jamaican's first appearance this year in his favorite race, and it came less than two weeks after he set a world record of 9.72 in the 100. Dire Tune of Ethiopia set a world record in the obscure women's one-hour race, completing 11.506 miles. ...

Brittney Reese, a Mississippi junior who at 5 feet 7 inches can dunk a basketball, soared 22-9 on her third jump to win the long jump at the NCAA Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. That matched her world-leading mark this season — Karin Mey of Russia also has gone 22-9. Florida State freshman Ngoni Makusha won the men's long jump at 27-2¾. Defending champion Alysia Johnson of Cal withdrew from the 800 semifinals because of a sore right foot. She was injured in Wednesday's preliminary round. Cal coach Tony Sandoval said an MRI showed no damage, but Johnson was held out as a precaution.

Soccer

Croatia stunned pre-tournament favorite Germany 2-1 in Klagenfurt, Austria, taking first place in Group B at the European Championship. Croatia went ahead for good 1-0 in the 24th minute after Danijel Pranjic swapped passes with Ivan Rakitic and then sent a cross for Darijo Srna. He slid just ahead of defender Marcell Jansen and scored past goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. ... In Vienna, Austria broke through in the closing moments of injury time to tie Poland 1-1 on Ivica Vastic's penalty kick. The tie meant Germany, Austria and Poland have a chance to advance in the final group games Monday. ... Cat Whitehill, a defender for the U.S. women's team, will miss the Olympics after tearing a knee ligament. ... Kheli Dube had a goal and an assist as New England extended its unbeaten streak to six games with a 2-0 win over host Houston in MLS play.

Rowing

Michelle Guerette is heading back to the Olympics. Three other crews also won their finals races in the team trials at Lake Mercer in West Windsor, N.J., and are pointed toward the Beijing Games.

Guerette returns to the Olympics as a single sculler four years after placing fifth in Athens in quadruple sculls. She dominated in the best-of-three format, winning Thursday's final in 7 minutes, 39.837 seconds — 10 seconds ahead of second place.

The rest of the Olympic rowing team will be named this month. Erin Cafaro of Modesto is a candidate to make the team in the women's eight.

College Football

Bill Curry, who has spent 11 seasons working as a college football TV analyst, agreed to a five-year contract to become Georgia State's first football coach. Curry's last year in coaching was in 1996 with Kentucky, where he was 26-52 in seven years. Georgia State begins play in 2010 in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Tennis

Andy Roddick reached the quarterfinals at Queen's Club in London when fellow American Mardy Fish withdrew because of a left ankle injury after losing the opening set 7-6 (5). ... Roger Federer advanced to the Gerry Weber Open quarterfinals in Halle, Germany, with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Jan Vacek.

Cycling

France's Cyril Dessel used a late breakaway to win the 120-mile fourth stage of the Dauphine Libere race in Annemasse, France. Spain's Alejandro Valverde retained the overall lead.

Boxing

Japan's Hozumi Hasegawa defeated Uruguay's Cristian Faccio by technical knockout in the second round in Tokyo to retain his WBC bantamweight title. ... Edwin Valero of Venezuela defeated Japan's Takehiro Shimada by technical knockout to retain his WBA super-featherweight title. Valero sent Shimada to the canvas with a right hook at 1 minute, 55 seconds of the seventh round, prompting the referee to stop the bout.