Ostrava in the Czech Republic was the latest stop on the IAAF Grand Prix circuit. American pole vaulter Stacy Dragila was looking to continue her preparations, ahead of the defence of her Olympic title in Athens in August. But Dragila got more than she bargained for, jumping 4.83 metres at the third attempt to break the previous best mark of 4.82 metres, set by Russian Yelena Isinbayeva in Gateshead last July. Dragila has now set 18 indoor and outdoor world records. Johnson winsOne of the more comfortable winners of the evening was four-time world champion and former Olympic champion Allen Johnson. He faced a tough field in the men's 110 metres hurdles, but still cruised to victory in a time of 13.12 seconds, ahead of compatriots Larry Wade and Terrence Trammell. Johnson hit at least seven hurdles on his way to victory. A successful evening for Johnson and his partner, sprinter Torri Edwards, was complete, when Edwards stormed to victory in the women's 100 metres. Edwards recorded a time of 11.25 seconds, to win ahead of compatriots LaTasha Colander and Chryste Gaines. Minor upsetHowever, there was a minor upset in the men's javelin competition. Local favourite and multiple world champion Jan Zelezny was expected to feed off a partisan Czech crowd and get the better of his opponents. But promising Russian athlete Alexandr Ivanov wasn't daunted by his more experienced opponent and recorded a famous victory with a throw of 87.33 metres. Zelezny was second and American Breaux Greer third. Jones comes thirdMuch was expected of the double Olympic sprint champion Marion Jones, although she was only scheduled to compete in the women's long jump. Jones battled with her technique and had to be content with third place in the event, behind winner Tatyna Kotova and Tatyana Lebedeva, both of Russia. The biggest cheer of the night was reserved for the final event. Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele broke his second world record in nine days when he shattered compatriot Haile Gebrselassie's 10,000 metres mark. The 22-year-old double world cross country champion crossed the line in 26 minutes 20.31 seconds, well inside Gebrselassie's mark of 26:22.75 set in Hengelo, the Netherlands, six years ago. On May 31, Bekele had broken Gebrselassie's 5,000 metres record at the Hengelo meeting. (AP)
Dragila, Bekele set world records
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