Unreal talent and range. Could compete at the world level at 400 hurdles (currently #10 in the world) or high jump (currently #11 in the world), but when you are capable of winning gold / setting world and American records in the heptathlon / pentathlon, why bother? Ran some great times at the youth level in Colorado as a kid (even ran a decent 1500 on the summer track circuit).
Incredible performance! I kind of wish the decathlon would change the 1500m to the 800m. I think it would be more fun to watch a bunch of 190lb dudes run low 1:50s than it is to watch them run 4:20 1500's.
Or they should fully embrace the aerobic contribution to the distance events and make them run the 5000m. Forcing a bunch of fast-twitch/strength athletes to trudge out 18 minute 5k's would be a savage way to end the event.
Going into the weekend, the lineup in the hep didn't look so great. The whole podium from Paris was out, including Thiam and KJT. Doubt they would have matched Hall though - she's in great form. But would the added competition have helped her?
As others have said, if she can improve a bit in the 100h, 200m and LJ, she might put a scare into the WR. I think she probably has a bit more in the JT - it's been one of her weaker events and even with this PR, it's not hard to imagine with more practice she can pick up some points.
She's only 259 points behind the WR, so getting a bit more in each event helps. (Tho I agree that another meter in the SP probably doesn't help her elsewhere.)
Nobody anywhere near the top on a given year is clean. And nobody near the top all time isn't a very regular user. Kudos for her performance amongst other users!!!
Nobody anywhere near the top on a given year is clean. And nobody near the top all time isn't a very regular user. Kudos for her performance amongst other users!!!