Gina Lückenkemper’s long look at the scoreboard seemed like hoping for a miracle. But as soon as he crossed the finish line it was clear that fifth place in the 100-meter semi-final and 11.18 seconds were far too little for the first entry into the final of a world championship.
“It was definitely a different World Cup than I had planned,” said the German, who is struggling with minor back problems, in Budapest when her opponents were still preparing for the final.
Sha’Carri Richardson from the USA won the title for the first time in a world championship record of 10.65 seconds. Shericka Jackson of Jamaica followed in 10.72 seconds and defending champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 10.77 seconds. The 36-year-old had previously stormed five times to World Championship gold in the sprint over the king’s route.
WM invoice remains open
Lückenkemper, on the other hand, was once again unable to settle what she said was an open account at the world championships. A year after the European double triumph, the German sprint queen failed to repeat the glorious evenings in Munich. This leaves Melanie Paschke the last German to date in a 100-meter final – that was 26 years ago.
After the heat on Sunday, which she only finished third in 11.21 seconds, Lückenkemper reported on her slight handicap. “Unfortunately, the back problem didn’t leave me completely alone. I lost my hip at the back, and if you lose the hip, that’s bullshit,” said the 26-year-old.
After a few hugs with the opponents, the German “Sportswoman of the Year” left the new athletics stadium on the Danube on a warm August evening that was over 30 degrees.
“After the individual went the way it went, for me it’s ‘now more than ever’ in the season,” she emphasized. However, due to injury, the quartet cannot perform in Budapest in the same line-up as it did at the time. A year after the acclaimed EM gold in Munich, the chances are bad there too.
Abuaku reaches 400m hurdles final
Discus thrower Henrik Janssen was at least in the final and came in eighth place with 63.80 meters. Olympic champion Daniel Stahl from Sweden won the high-class competition in the last attempt with a world championship record of 71.46 meters. Defending champion Kristjan Ceh from Slovenia had just taken the lead with 70.02 meters. Third was European champion Mykolas Alekna (68.85) from Lithuania.
Joshua Abuaku had previously fulfilled his dream of reaching the final. As the first German runner since Harald Schmid 36 years ago, the Frankfurter reached the World Cup final over 400 meters hurdles. The 27-year-old only finished fourth in his semifinals in 48.39 seconds, but as one of the two fastest participants who did not directly qualify he got the last ticket. Best in the semifinals was Olympic champion and world record holder Karsten Warholm from Norway in 47.09 seconds.
“I really wanted to go to the final. I’m eternally grateful,” said Abuaku. In 1983 and 1987, Schmid was the only German hurdler over the 400 meters to reach the World Cup final. He won silver and bronze. The name Schmid “definitely” says something to him, Abuaku explained. “I know that there is still a bit of room for the German record.” Schmid’s mark has been 47.48 seconds since 1982.
The American Grant Holloway won the hurdle sprint over 110 meters for the third time in 12.96 seconds. Hugues Fabrice Zango from Burkina Faso triumphed in the triple jump with 17.64 meters.
