CUBA’S Orlando Ortega won a gold medal, February 2, in the
60-meter hurdles during an indoor meet in the German city of Karlsruhe.

Ortega crossed the finish line in 7.60 seconds, beating Omo Osaghae (7.65) from the United States, and local favorite Erik Balnuweit (7.65).

Spaniard Kevin López set a record for the year with his 1:46.72 in the 800- meter race and France’s Renaud Lavillenie won the men’s pole vaulting competition with a 5.83-meter event record.

Likewise, Ethiopian Meseret Defar registered the best time of 2013 thus far with her 8:35.28 minutes in the women’s 3,000 meters, while her compatriot Genzebe Dibaba won the1,500 meters (4:02.25). Bernard Lagat from the U.S. triumphed in the men’s 3,000 meters with a 7:34.71 time.

Germany’s Christian Reif dominated the long jump competition; Bulgarian Ivet Lalova won the 60-meter sprint, and Czech Lucie Skrobakova, the 60m hurdles. (PL)

Cuban pole vaulter Yarisley Silva won a bronze medal February 3 in the Moscow Winter athletics event. The Olympic silver medalist vaulted for 4.65 meters in her season debut, the same height reached by reigning World champion Fabiana Murer from Brazil, who won the silver. Holly Bleasdale from Britain took the gold with a 4.75-meter vault.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) reported that Bleasdale’s performance, third worldwide in indoor competition, won the athlete a second place ranking for the season, just behind Olympic champion Jennifer Suhr (4.76 in Boston).