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BSP-07
ATHLETICS-USA-INDOOR
Brazier sets 600m world best at US Indoor Championships
NEW YORK, Feb 25, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Donavan Brazier set a world best by
winning the 600 meters in 1min 13.77secs on Sunday at the US Indoor Track and
Field Championships.
The 21-year-old 800m runner from Michigan smashed the old 600 mark of
1:14.79 set in January 2018 by Kenya’s Michael Saruni, who edged Brazier two
weeks ago at 800 in the Millrose Games.
“I was just trying to win today. I didn’t want to spoil it trying to get a
record,” Brazier said. “Because I didn’t win (at Millrose) I was still
hungry.”
Brazier said the win at the less-contested distance signals good things
ahead for a season that features a US outdoor meet in July and the World
Championships in September and October at Doha, Qatar.
“I can afford to take a little rest because I got in this shape this
early,” he said. “I can come back in May.”
Sam Ellison was a distant second in the US men’s 600 final in 1:15.20 with
Kameron Jones third in 1:15.32.
Athing Mu, only 16, won the women’s 600 in an American record 1:23.57.
“I’m so shocked. I’m just blown away right now,” Mu said.
Clayton Murphy, third at 800m at the 2016 Rio Olympics, won the men’s 1,000
in 2:20.36.
Reigning US outdoor champion Kenturah Orji, fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics
and World Indoors, won the US women’s indoor triple jump crown by leaping
14.55m.
Katie Nageotte defended her US women’s indoor pole vault crown by clearing
4.81m, but she needed a third-try clearance at 4.61 to secure the victory.
Craig Engels won his first mile indoor crown in 3:59.69 while Shelby
Houlihan took the women’s two-mile in 9:31.98.
Ajee Wilson, twice a world indoor runner-up at 800, won the women’s 1,000
in a meet record 2:34.71.
Sharika Nelvis won the women’s 60 hurdles in a 2019 world best 7.85
seconds, then took third in the women’s 60 behind winner Shania Collins
(7.16).
Devon Allen took the men’s 60 hurdles in 7.60, edging Aaron Mallett by .04,
and looked to the outdoor season.
Demek Kemp won the men’s 60 in 6.55 in his meet debut.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0942 hrs