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Russian men, Polish women claim first-time victories in European Cup Combined Events Super League

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krauchanka.jpg
Belarus' Andrei Krauchanka came from
behind to win the men's individual
Decathlon in the European Cup
Combined Events Super League. Photos by
Marek Biczyk
After a number of close battles on the second day of the European Cup Combined Events Super League in Szczecin, the Russian men won the team title for the first time in the history of the competition, ahead of Belarus and Ukraine. In the women's competition, there was also a first-time winner, as the Polish team prevailed in a close finish over the Russians, with Ukraine taking third place.

In the individual men's event, the pre-event favourite Andrei Krauchanka of Belarus lagged behind for most of the competition, but came through for a win over Russia's Aleksandr Pogorelov with a fast 1500 metres. In the Heptathlon, after another exciting finish, Ukraine's Hanna Melnychenko beat the home favourite Kamila Chudzik by just two points thanks to a strong 800 metres performance.

The overnight leader of the Decathlon, Oleksiy Kasyanov of Ukraine, remained well ahead through half of the second day thanks to 14.46 in the 110 metre hurdles and a 49.95 discus throw. But with his weakest events yet to come, it was clear the situation could turn around.

And so it did. Aleksandr Pogorelov, over 100 points behind until that point, cleared 5 metres in the Pole Vault, a full 50 centimetres more than Kasyanov. With this result, the Russian went into the lead by 41 points. Olympic runner-up Krauchanka was not out of contention, either. Well over 200 points behind after seven events, the Belarus athlete made up a lot of ground in the vault by clearing 5.10, the best height of the day. After eight events, Krauchanka was still back in third, but well positioned to attack the top position, trailing the Russian leader by 99 points.

In the Javelin throw, Pogorelov once again proved the strongest. With his 63.37, he extended his lead to 127 over Krauchanka, who achieved 61.56 in the last round. The Belarusian now faced a tough task of making up over 20 seconds on the Russian in the final event, the 1500 metre race. Kasyanov, after a throw of just over 50 metres, was now a distant third, over 100 points behind Krauchanka.

Krauchanka, known as a good 1500 metre runner, started the final race fast, always remaining in the top group as Pogorelov struggled. The difference between them was nearly 100 metres at the start of the final lap, indicating that the deficit had been all but made up. The Belarus athlete seemed to struggle for a moment, but then came through again with a strong finish to cross the line in 4:32.60. After an eager wait at the finish, he caught sight of Pogorelov finish the race over 24 seconds later.

Krauchanka was proclaimed the winner of the competition with 8336 points, Pogorelov taking second place 23 points behind. Kasyanov, the winner of the final heat of the last event, took a good third place with 8245 points, and the Frenchman Romain Barras finished well with 4:20.90 to take fourth place with 8209. Young Vasiliy Kharlamov of Russia improved his personal best by nearly 400 points in fifth place with 8113, and another Russian, Aleksey Drozdov, completed the top six with 8081.




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