Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 SPORTS
Friday 1 June 2018

‘A huge time’: Samba runs fastest 400 hurdles in a decade

By ANDREW DAMPF ond and that counts for
AP Sports Writer nothing, I guess. So I’ll try to
ROME (AP) — Abderrah- chase him.
man Samba of Qatar ran Also, American sprinter Ron-
the fastest 400-meter hur- nie Baker won the 100 in a
dles in nearly a decade, personal-best 9.93 seconds
surging ahead of a stel- to shave four hundredths
lar field to set a Diamond off his world-leading time
League record at the at the first European stop of
Golden Gala Pietro Men- the circuit.
nea meet Thursday. Warholm was also chal-
Samba trailed world cham- lenged by Samba at last
pion Karsten Warholm of year’s world champion-
Norway before bursting into ships in London. Samba
the lead around the final was in second place and
turn at the Stadio Olimpico gaining on the Norwegian
to clock 47.48 seconds. until he stumbled at the fi-
It was the fastest time in the nal hurdle and dropped to
event since Angelo Taylor seventh.
ran 47.25 to take gold at “He runs extremely good,”
the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Warholm added. “So it’s
“I now hope every race will not surprising but it’s very
feel like this,” said Samba, impressive.”
who had already set the Samba also set a meet Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba competes on his way to win the men’s 400m hurdles, during the
world-leading time this year record, improving on the Golden Gala, the first European meeting of the Diamond League, at the Rome Olympic Stadium,
with his 47.57 at the open- 47.73 that two-time Olym- Thursday, May 31, 2018.
ing Diamond League meet pic champion Felix San- Associated Press
on his home track in Doha. chez clocked in 2002. Only In the 100, fellow American In other events, Mariya ic won the discus with a
“I don’t know how fast I one man has ever eclipsed Christian Coleman was Lasitskene of Russia post- meet-record throw of 68.93
can run but we will see in the 47-second barrier in the keeping pace with Baker ed her 40th consecutive as she aims for a record-ex-
the near future,” added event: Kevin Young set the until the latter kicked into victory in the high jump, tending seventh Diamond
Samba, who is of Maurita- still-standing world record another gear over the last clearing 2.02, to extend a League title.
nian descent. of 46.78 at the 1992 Barce- 25 meters. streak that began nearly “Now I hope to take the
Warholm crossed second in lona Olympics. Jimmy Vicaut of France two years ago; and Luvo meeting record in the oth-
47.82 while Olympic cham- “Thank you to my rivals for crossed second in 10.02 Manyonga of South Africa er five (Diamond League)
pion Kerron Clement came pushing me,” Samba said. and home favorite Filippo improved his world lead in competitions,” Perkovic
sixth. “I told Karsten, ‘Thank you, Tortu came third in 10.04. the long jump with a leap said.
“It’s a huge time, and I just especially.’ Coleman, who set the world of 8.58 — improving on his World champion Sam Ken-
have to try to chase it,” We are now giving the 400 indoor 60-meter world re- 8.56 in Shanghai in May. dricks won the pole vault
Warholm said. “Now he’s hurdles the attention it de- cord earlier this year, fin- Also, two-time Olympic by clearing 5.84 on his final
the best and I’m just sec- serves.” ished fourth in 10.06. champion Sandra Perkov- attempt.q

Hinkle says she decided against

U.S. team Pride Month call up

By ANNE M. PETERSON up to the national team great if that’s what keeps
AP Sports Writer since. her going in her life and
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A defender, Hinkle plays for keeps positivity in her life,
Jaelene Hinkle chose not the North Carolina Cour- then let that be.”
to play for the U.S. women’s age of the National Wom- Courage coach Paul Ri-
national team last year be- en’s Soccer League. The ley said he heard the boos
cause her religious beliefs Courage visited the Port- and echoed McDonald’s
prevented her from wear- land Thorns on Wednes- sentiment.
ing a jersey that commem- day night, and there were “She’s got a good heart,
orated LGBTQ Pride Month. boos heard when she was and she battled through
Hinkle revealed the reason announced in the starting the game. It’s not an easy
for her decision last June lineup. Some waved rain- thing for her,” Riley said. “I
in an interview with the bow Pride flags. give her a lot of credit to be
Christian talk show The 700 The 25-year-old Hinkle, who perfectly honest. In this Dec. 13, 2015, file photo, China’s Han Peng (18) slides in to
Club, which posted a video played soccer at Texas Whatever her beliefs are, knock the ball away from United States’ Jaelene Hinkle during
Wednesday on its website. Tech, didn’t comment af- whatever she believes in, the second half of an international friendly soccer match, in
No reason for her absence ter the match, a 4-1 Cour- that’s her. It doesn’t affect Glendale, Ariz.
was given by the national age victory. the team. It doesn’t seem Associated Press
team at the time. “She is high on her faith, to affect anybody on the Hinkle by name. acted on in personal con-
“I just felt so convicted in and in my honest option team.” “Soccer welcomes every- viction harming no one
my spirit that it wasn’t my that’s absolutely incred- On Thursday afternoon, one. Our actions clearly else deserves respect just
job to wear this jersey,” she ible,” teammate Jessica Courage owner Steve Ma- speak for that support. as much as creating a wel-
said. McDonald said. “If she’s for lik posted a statement on Pride and Faith Nights are coming environment for
Hinkle has not been called God, then that’s fine, that’s Twitter that did not mention not incompatible. Faith all,” Malik wrote.q