Iizuka, Barshim clinch World Junior Golds

Japanese youngster, Shota Iizuka, ran a season-leading 20.58s to win the 2010 World Junior Championships gold – the first ever Asian man to top a world junior sprinting event. The 19-year old followed the footsteps of compatriot Shingo Suetsugo, who clinched a bronze in the same event in the 2003 Paris World Championships.

It was a relatively good championships for Asian countries. Qatari high jump phenom, Mutaz Ezza Barshim, cleared an even more impressive 2.30m to grab gold.

Watch Barshim’s jump and Iizuka’s winning sprint (Moncton 2010 Day 5 PM highlights)

China and Qatar were the other Asian countries to barge into the medal standings. Thailand and India had representatives to the finals of the Men’s Long Jump (a youngster who leaps 8.00m+, Sukhasvasti N.A Supanara) and the Women’s 100m low hurdles, respectively.

It’s pity, really, how the Philippines failed to send even token participation to the prestigious meet. The young Patrick Unso (400m low hurdles, high jump) was supposed to compete, but his plans seemed to have hit a snag.

Additional links:

Men’s 200m article

Men’s High Jump article

Photo credits:

IAAF