Record number of medals won as 'Sudtirol 2009' ends

By editor | 13 July 2009 - 8:02am
“Südtirol 2009” will be remembered as the WYC of records

A record number of 46 countries won medals at the 6th IAAF World Youth Championships after five days of intense and thrilling competitions in Bressanone/Brixen (South Tyrol, Italy).

The previous best had been set at the last edition of these championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic two years ago where 40 countries managed to place at least one athlete on a podium.

Nine nations have been added to the list of nations to win a medal: Denmark, Eritrea, Israel, Samoa, Tajikistan, Thailand (her first-ever medals of any age category), Turkey, US Virgin Islands and Uzbekistan.

Kenya overtook the USA as most highest winning nation and stayed top of the medals table of 'Sudtirol 2009' which featured 1331 athletes from 176 nations.

The world's best young athletes have participated and two World Youth Best have been set: the US medley relay team with a winning time of 1:50.33 and the Ethiopian Korahubsh Itaa in the 2000m Steeplechase (6:11.83).

Stars unveiled

A further 31 World Youth Leads have also been set along with 7 Championship Records.

On an individual level, British athlete Jodie Williams captured gold in the 100m (11.39) and the 200m (23.08). Same for Kirani James (Grenada) who followed his victory in the 400m (45.24) with another one in the 200m (21.05).

Multiple medals also went to Supanara S.N.A. from Thailand with gold in the long and silver in the triple jump and to Ryan Crouser from USA with gold in the shot put (21.56) and silver in the discus (61.64).

Furthermore, Ashton Purvis from the USA was the only athlete to win three medals including gold in the medley relay and bronze in both the 100m and the 200m.

This WYC's edition in Bressanone/Brixen will also be remembered as the one where Alessia Trost won Italy's first gold. The three medals won by Italy also set a new record.

Kenya tops table

The WYC medal table was lead by a convincing Kenya with 6 gold, 7 silver and 1 bronze medal followed by the USA with 6 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze.

Third place went to Great Britain and Northern Ireland with 4 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze.
 
Overall, the USA leads the consolidated medal table including all six WYCs with 79 medals (34 gold, 25 silver and 20 bronze). Second is Kenya having won 65 medals (29 gold, 27 silver and 9 bronze).

The podium is rounded out by Russia with 58 medals (21 gold, 22 silver and 15 bronze). Overall, the medal table is comprised of 76 nations.