Devers, Engquist hurdle odds to glory

The inspirational Engquist, 35, now in the midst of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, was a fast-closing third in 12.47, her best of a star-crossed year, and just behind silver medalist Glory Alozie of Nigeria (12.44).

The warmth and empathy between Devers and Engquist was evident after the stunningly fast race.

The two hugged and embraced, then took a victory lap together, each stopping to kiss Engquist’s husband, Johan.

“I was proud of Ludmila that she came back and accomplished what she did,” Devers said. “It let everybody know if you are believing in yourself dreams do cometrue.”

For Devers, the dream did come true — again.

This was her fifth gold medal, the most by any woman ever at the championships. She also has one each in the 100m dash and 400 relay, and will try to extend her record to six in the relay today.

The dream almost disappeared over the last of the 10hurdles, a scary reminder of the 1992 Olympics, when she fell while leading and had to scramble over the finish line for fifth place.

Devers’ time was the fastest since Engquist ran 12.26 at Seville on June 6, 1992, and broke her US record of 12.46 at Stuttgart, Germany, on August 20, 1993.

Devers was diagnosed with Graves’ disease in 1989 and didn’t compete again until June 1991. Her condition, requiring radiation and chemotherapy treatments, became so serious that she came close to having a foot amputated. She then made an astonishingly rapid recovery and won the 100 hurdles at the 1991 USA championships.

The disease flared up again this year and she ran the world indoor championships in extremepain, finishing second. It still bothers her occasionally, causing her difficulty in sleeping and eating, and her body to ache badly.

Despite all the physical anguish, Devers could lay claim to being the greatest woman track and field athlete of the decade and the best sprinter-hurdler ever. In addition to her accomplishments in the world outdoor championships, including two silver medals, she has won two Olympic 100 titles and one relay gold medal, and two world indoor championships.

Enquist’s performance capped the most remarkable and inspirational story of the championships.

The Russian-born Swede was diagnosed with breast cancer in March. She had her right breast removed on April 21, and returned to competition July 30, winning a race in Stockholm.

Engquist has continued to train through four chemotherapy sessions. She will undergo the fifth of her six treatments Thursday.

In the race, Devers broke on top quickly, with Engquist trailing badly. Engquist rallied, but too late to catch Devers orAlozie, the world’s top-ranked hurdler last year.

Yesterday’s most popular winner with the crowd of 52,273 was marathoner Abel Anton of Spain.

Anton overcame searing heat of 36c at the start and won his second straight world title in 2:13:36, 27 seconds ahead of Italy’s Vicenzo Modica.

As Anton entered the stadium for the final lap, he raised his hands and blew kisses to the crowd. The fans responded with chants of “ole, ole.”

Anton said he was helped — not just by the screaming fans in the stadium — but by the entire city.

Spain’s Martin Fiz, the 1995 champion and the runner-up to Anton in 1997, finished eighth at 2:16:17, and South Africa’s Gert Thys, the second-fastest marathoner in history, was 15th at 2:17:13.

In yesterday’s other finals, Cuba’s Ivan Pedroso, the four-time world indoor champion in the men’s long jump, won his third outdoor title at 8.56 metres; Morocco’s Salah Hissou set a championship record in winning the men’s 5,000 at 12:58.13, and Greece’s Mirela Manjani-Tzelili tookthe women’s javelin with season’s best 67.09 metres.