Unbeaten, Bound for Berlin
by Matt Martino
For his birthday, LaShawn Merritt gave himself a gift that will keep giving: a trip to the world track and field championships in Berlin.
 LaShawn blazing to the American 400m title (Getty Images). |
Lashawn won the 400m at the 2009 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field this past Saturday, and afterward, was philosophical.
"I'm getting old, getting old," he joked.
His performance said otherwise. The 2008 Olympic champion led from start to finish, matching his world-leading time of 44.50 seconds, originally set on May 1.
"I played it smart. I didn't want to race hard the whole way. Because I knew the wind, I ran in it these past two days. I got through it. I got on the curve, worked it, and finished up strong."
BERLIN
The 2009 IAAF World Championships will be held on August 15-23 in Berlin, Germany.
There LaShawn will finally face his rival, Jeremy Wariner, in 400m for the first time this year.
Wariner, who has is the defending world champion in the event, had an automatic bid to Berlin. Therefore, he declined to run the 400 on Saturday, opting for the 200-meter race instead. LaShawn will join Wariner, along with Gil Roberts and Lionel Larry as those representing the United States in the 400 meters at Berlin.
RELATED STORIES
LaShawn Merritt cruises to 400m win at US trials (Bangkok Post, June 28, 2009)
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/147311/lashawn-merritt-cruises-to...
Olympians run to U.S. titles; Miles ties for 2nd in pole vault (Sacramento Bee, June 28, 2009)
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/story/1983499.html
Merritt wins 400m title at USA Championships, remains undefeated (USA Track & Field, June 27, 2009)
http://www.usatf.org/news/view.aspx?DUID=USATF_2009_06_27_20_11_15
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