Athletics: Willis secures place at worlds

Nick Willis. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Nick Willis qualified for the world championships in fine style yesterday, finishing fast for fourth in the 1500m at the Paris Diamond League meeting in 3m 33.22s - his best time since 2006.

Running from the back of a big field, Willis stormed home over the last 200m to finish just over a second behind Amine Laalou of Morocco, who won in 3m 32.15s.

The time is under the 3m 35s A standard for the world track and field championships in Daegu, Korea, next month. It is also under the 3m 35.5s standard for the London Olympic Games and is just over a second outside his New Zealand record of 3m 32.17s, set at the same meeting five years ago to the day.

Meanwhile, Olympic and world champion shot putter Valerie Adams has beaten arch rival Nadezhda Ostapchuk at the same Paris meeting. Adams had the shot out to 20.78m, her best this year and 29cm better than the Belarusian.

The result follows Jacko Gill's world youth athletics championship shot put victory in Lille 24 hours earlier.

Usain Bolt stormed to victory in the men's 200m, easing up well before the line to time 20.03s. His time, should he have carried on at full pelt, would have bettered the meet record of 20.01s set by Michael Johnson in 1990.

- NZPA