Russia reign supreme, new tests await old faces
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-13 13:42

"We're all happy with our performance here," president of the Russian athletics federation Valentin Balakhnichyov said.

"Before the championships I predicted we were going to win eight golds and 18 medals in total but head coach Valery Kulichenko was a bit more cautious and said six golds and 18 medals so I was sweating a bit at the end."

After claiming Russia's first gold on Saturday, triple jumper Tatyana Lebedeva said: "I am sure we can do very well here and beat the Americans and everybody else."

Their perennial rivals finished second in the table with seven golds.

The U.S. exerted their usual supremacy in the sprints with victory's for Leonard Scott and Me'Lisa Barber in the 60 metres and Terrence Trammell in the hurdles.

There were a few surprises over the three days of competition.

Young Cuban Dayron Robles gave favourite Trammell a run for his money before taking the silver and Derval O'Rourke became the first Irishwoman to win a world indoor gold in the hurdles.

Some things never seem to change, though.

Maria Mutola has done it all but the 33-year-old from Mozambique found enough power and speed in the 800 metres to take an unprecedented seventh world indoor crown.