Ostrava: 400m - Sanya Richards-Ross 50.65

[t_monk]

World Record 47.60 Marita KOCH GDR Canberra 6 OCT 1985
World Lead 49.99 Novlene WILLIAMS-MILLS JAM Kingston 5 MAY 2012
Meeting Record 49.67 Tátána KOCEMBOVÁ TCH Ostrava 1 JUN 1983
Rank Athlete Nation Result Reaction time
1 RICHARDS-ROSS, Sanya USA 50.65 0.194
2 OHURUOGU, Christine GBR 51.19 0.179
3 HALL, Patricia JAM 51.75 0.173
4 ZADORINA, Kseniya RUS 51.81 0.185
5 ROSOLOVÁ, Denisa CZE 52.10 0.275
6 HURTIS, Muriel FRA 52.13 0.172
7 GRENOT, Libania ITA 52.16 0.171
8 COX, Shana GBR 52.26 0.223

[fasttrack85]

World Record 47.60 Marita KOCH GDR Canberra 6 OCT 1985
World Lead 49.99 Novlene WILLIAMS-MILLS JAM Kingston 5 MAY 2012
Meeting Record 49.67 Tátána KOCEMBOVÁ TCH Ostrava 1 JUN 1983
Rank Athlete Nation Result Reaction time
1 RICHARDS-ROSS, Sanya USA 50.65 0.194
2 OHURUOGU, Christine GBR 51.19 0.179
3 HALL, Patricia JAM 51.75 0.173
4 ZADORINA, Kseniya RUS 51.81 0.185
5 ROSOLOVÁ, Denisa CZE 52.10 0.275
6 HURTIS, Muriel FRA 52.13 0.172
7 GRENOT, Libania ITA 52.16 0.171
8 COX, Shana GBR 52.26 0.223

This is not a good time for Sanya. Was the track wet or something? Why would Sanya run this slow?

[ATK]

World Record 47.60 Marita KOCH GDR Canberra 6 OCT 1985
World Lead 49.99 Novlene WILLIAMS-MILLS JAM Kingston 5 MAY 2012
Meeting Record 49.67 Tátána KOCEMBOVÁ TCH Ostrava 1 JUN 1983
Rank Athlete Nation Result Reaction time
1 RICHARDS-ROSS, Sanya USA 50.65 0.194
2 OHURUOGU, Christine GBR 51.19 0.179
3 HALL, Patricia JAM 51.75 0.173
4 ZADORINA, Kseniya RUS 51.81 0.185
5 ROSOLOVÁ, Denisa CZE 52.10 0.275
6 HURTIS, Muriel FRA 52.13 0.172
7 GRENOT, Libania ITA 52.16 0.171
8 COX, Shana GBR 52.26 0.223

This is not a good time for Sanya. Was the track wet or something? Why would Sanya run this slow?

There were not many fast times today, Merrit ran 45.1, Bolt ran 10.04, etc...

[mump boy]

World Record 47.60 Marita KOCH GDR Canberra 6 OCT 1985
World Lead 49.99 Novlene WILLIAMS-MILLS JAM Kingston 5 MAY 2012
Meeting Record 49.67 Tátána KOCEMBOVÁ TCH Ostrava 1 JUN 1983
Rank Athlete Nation Result Reaction time
1 RICHARDS-ROSS, Sanya USA 50.65 0.194
2 OHURUOGU, Christine GBR 51.19 0.179
3 HALL, Patricia JAM 51.75 0.173
4 ZADORINA, Kseniya RUS 51.81 0.185
5 ROSOLOVÁ, Denisa CZE 52.10 0.275
6 HURTIS, Muriel FRA 52.13 0.172
7 GRENOT, Libania ITA 52.16 0.171
8 COX, Shana GBR 52.26 0.223

This is not a good time for Sanya. Was the track wet or something? Why would Sanya run this slow?

She ran a really strange, almost tactical race, she stayed on TBO's shoulder and kicked away in the straight. Not a tactic i would advise in London

[ATK]

She ran a really strange, almost tactical race, she stayed on TBO's shoulder and kicked away in the straight. Not a tactic i would advise in London

She actually used similar tactics in 2009. Watch her race in Berlin and her WL in Brussles.
She went out strong and stayed right on Sherika Williams shoulder, then started to go with 200-180 to go.
This actually probably works better, stops her from going out to fast.

[t_monk]

These times leaves her vulnerable... I do think that the conditions were probably less than ideal (looking at the sprint times all around except for VCB's of course) but I'm sure she expected to be running faster than this by now. Normally SRR would be putting down a number of sub-50's... not going all out and running 50.mid. Her times are stagnating at 50.mid - low.

[ATK]

These times leaves her vulnerable... I do think that the conditions were probably less than ideal (looking at the sprint times all around except for VCB's of course) but I'm sure she expected to be running faster than this by now. Normally SRR would be putting down a number of sub-50's... not going all out and running 50.mid. Her times are stagnating at 50.mid - low.

I think its a little unfair to say that these times leave her vulnerable. I do understand what you mean, but like you said looking at the sprint times all around its more than likely she is capable of close to if not sub 50.
I would assume your not worried about Merritt as well?

[mump boy]

She ran a really strange, almost tactical race, she stayed on TBO's shoulder and kicked away in the straight. Not a tactic i would advise in London

She actually used similar tactics in 2009. Watch her race in Berlin and her WL in Brussles.
She went out strong and stayed right on Sherika Williams shoulder, then started to go with 200-180 to go.
This actually probably works better, stops her from going out to fast.

But you can't pace off 1 person when there are another 5 capable of beating you in the race. While agree her pace judgement isn;t the best it makes be think there is a lack of confidence f you ahem to pace your race off of your biggest rival in the race. I wonder what would have happened if she's been outside TBO

I think Sanya has the most potential to win in london but i don't think she's the favourite at the moment. She has way too much history of under achievement at majors to go in as favourite unless she's in 48 form and even then it guarantees nothing

[ATK]

But you can't pace off 1 person when there are another 5 capable of beating you in the race. While agree her pace judgement isn;t the best it makes be think there is a lack of confidence f you ahem to pace your race off of your biggest rival in the race. I wonder what would have happened if she's been outside TBO

I think Sanya has the most potential to win in london but i don't think she's the favourite at the moment. She has way too much history of under achievement at majors to go in as favourite unless she's in 48 form and even then it guarantees nothing

I actually fully agree with you, I was just pointing out that this tactic has worked in her favor in the past.
I feel like she is confused about her race pattern. She sometimes thinks that if she doesn't go out hard she will loose, then other times feels that if she goes to hard she will die. Most of the time she has a priority lane, with another one of the top competitors to her outside so she is able to use this "sit" tactic, which I think is better for Sanya. But you are correct that she can get into trouble if someone on her inside, runs a race that throws her off.

[t_monk]

Merritt was able to actually put down a really fast time this season after only one attempt. SRR on the other hand has had many attempts to put down one of those monster times we are accustomed to. This is about her 4th 400m at the very least, is running hard and powerful to the line and yet cannot get to sub-50...

A 50.5x - 50.0x doesn't say domination and does not put her in that 'other level' that she usually is in. And as it pertains to the sprint times.... the hurdlers all ran good time (100mH, 110mH and 400mH), the 800m runners ran good times and VCB's 200m was a good time as well. I'll not dare say the conditions were perfect but I'm not sure I buy it that the conditions were as God awful to prevent excellent running.

The longer the season gets the slower her times appear to be getting... I'm not sure I was too pro her Indoor experimentation this year. I saw her run that windy 100m in 10.8x and I said that she was probably running off the indoor peak form.

Also that new race pattern is not something that I would advocate for her against anybody. She kills people with her speed mostly, if she sits back on the pace she leaves herself susceptible to get run down. She needs to not try that with Ohuguru at Ohuguru's peak, she needs to be far gone from Ohuguru by the time the last 100 comes around and I say the same for her and S. Williams, her and N. Williams-Mills, her and Montsho...

[ATK]

So what time are you expecting her to run right now?
I think the fact that she is able to control and win the race by a size able margin is more important than running fast.
She was almost even with the field at 300 then pulled away and won by more than half a second, I would consider that dominance.

I think people expect so much from Sanya because of her past. There have been so many times where she was unable to perform at the level she "should" have been. Its easy to give someone like Merritt a pass because he has shown continued dominance, so even if he runs basically the same race that Sanya did the idea is that he will be fine because he has proven so in the past.

In 2009, her best year ever, she didn't run sub 50 until June. And its not exactly like all the other ladies are dropping sub 50's, or even low 50's, besides Novelene. If Ohuruogu was closer or beat SRR, I would have questions, but coming off of 2 years of lackluster performances, I see nothing to really worry about at this point for her.

[mump boy]

I don't think she has anything to worry about she's in a fine place right now, i'm just not jumping up and down like some of the rather more 'excitable' members on here

Also i don't think judging her performance against TBO counts for anything, we all know she's totally different beast at a championship, for her being only .5 behind Sanya at this stage in the season is of more note than Sanya's performance.

[TrackDaddy]

Sanya will be by far the fastest sprinter in the race. Who else has sub 10 speed? Resisting not going out too fast is the perfect strategy and in 2009 she used it to run sub 49 twice and 49 flat in the WC final. If shes conserved energy and is with everyone coming off the bend, it will be a beatdown for the field. Also, now is the time to test and tweak her stategy. Shes run so many sub 50s people take them for granted. If this were someone else youd be praising the time.

[jjimbojames]

Sanya will be by far the fastest sprinter in the race. Who else has sub 10 speed? Resisting not going out too fast is the perfect strategy and in 2009 she used it to run sub 49 twice and 49 flat in the WC final. If shes conserved energy and is with everyone coming off the bend, it will be a beatdown for the field. Also, now is the time to test and tweak her stategy. Shes run so many sub 50s people take them for granted. If this were someone else youd be praising the time.

Sub 11 speed?
TD - but we're not talking about anyone else. You can't go on about Sanya posting x amount of sub-50s and then say the fact that she's running 50.6 is OK - it's not a usual time for HER at this stage of the season. Maybe, she's trying to time her peak differently (say, because of running indoors - even though she says she trained through...) or maybe things aren't quite right.

We won't know until August, but all speculation - either way - is fair game at this point. In the same way, I agree with mump's point - when was TBO only half a second off Sanya before a champs - could be relevant, could be TBO's getting her peak wrong

[mump boy]

could be TBO's getting her peak wrong

Could be she's getting it right

[jjimbojames]

could be TBO's getting her peak wrong

Could be she's getting it right

We can but hope! She looks to be playing with the race strategy more this year and not just sitting back, as well as taking these races a bit more seriously in general

[mump boy]

could be TBO's getting her peak wrong

Could be she's getting it right

We can but hope! She looks to be playing with the race strategy more this year and not just sitting back, as well as taking these races a bit more seriously in general

I'd love to see her go out hard once, she has never even tried to run to her full potential and you can't always rely on others fading

[TrackDaddy]

We won't know until August, but all speculation - either way - is fair game at this point. In the same way, I agree with mump's point - when was TBO only half a second off Sanya before a champs - could be relevant, could be TBO's getting her peak wrong

I don't have a problem with speculation. But do you realize that TBO has only beaten Sanya like ONCE in their careers sans last season when due to injuries and missing the 2010 season everyone did? (albeit, the one loss was in the 2008 OG).

So why not say Shericka will beat Sanya too as she also finished ahead in Beijing?

I'll tell you why...it doesn't make sense.

So I don't care how many championships TBO has, we're talking about two athletes of a different caliber. Yall can act like TBO has been dominant over SRR if you want to but I know the truth.

Just stop it. There's no history to gauge the effect of TBO being within .5 of Sanya because she's only beaten her once. See how silly mump's argument is? At least he's consistent.

Half a second is an eternity in the 400m; that is, until the bias against Sanya begins.

[jjimbojames]

TD, I do love your blinded passion for SRR! But 'just stop it' for a second and re-read what we all have written...fandom is great but coming on here if you can't handle reading something perceived as negative is not good for your health big guy

No one is making out TBO is anything of the sort, but the fact that there's no history of her being so close to Sanya tells us that her being so close in this race could mean TBO is ahead of her game, Sanya is not where she once was, or nothing at all - hence it's all speculation!

[TrackDaddy]

If there's no history of her being so close doesn't that mean there IS a history of her not being close before majors?

How has this supposed history played out?

She's only beaten Sanya ONCE anyway -major or not- so what "history?"

TBO has been within a .5 of Sanya during various seasons at various points and other times not.

The whole conversation is ridiculous. Sanya won by a half second which is impressive...regardless.

[mump boy]

If there's no history of her being so close doesn't that mean there IS a history of her not being close before majors?

How has this supposed history played out?

She's only beaten Sanya ONCE anyway -major or not- so what "history?"

TBO has been within a .5 of Sanya during various seasons at various points and other times not.

The whole conversation is ridiculous. Sanya won by a half second which is impressive...regardless.

Last week you were boasting that Sanya had a full sec in hand over everyone else this week blah blah blah. This week half a second is impressive, you can't have it every which way

[TrackDaddy]

Last week you were boasting that Sanya had a full sec in hand over everyone else this week blah blah blah. This week half a second is impressive, you can't have it every which way

What?

A half second is impressive, a full second moreso.

But both can be impressive, no?

Try and stay with me here.

[jjimbojames]

Last week you were boasting that Sanya had a full sec in hand over everyone else this week blah blah blah. This week half a second is impressive, you can't have it every which way

What?

A half second is impressive, a full second moreso.l:

Agreed - let us know if and when she ever beats a world class field by such a margin.

Until then, you do her no favours taking anyone praising any other w400m runner as blasphemy against Sanya...

[TrackDaddy]

Last week you were boasting that Sanya had a full sec in hand over everyone else this week blah blah blah. This week half a second is impressive, you can't have it every which way

What?

A half second is impressive, a full second moreso.l:

Agreed - let us know if and when she ever beats a world class field by such a margin.

Until then, you do her no favours taking anyone praising any other w400m runner as blasphemy against Sanya...

And you do her no favors by undermining her accomplishments of every race.

BTW....she has beaten world class fields by such margins; but as I said before, its not necessary much less required.

[EPelle]

Sanya will be by far the fastest sprinter in the race. Who else has sub 10 speed?

Certainly not Richards-Ross. Despite whether or not you meant this, this is the second time you've communicated on these boards that SRR has sub-10,00 speed. Enough already.

[Deerfoot]

TrackDaddy, I don't think anyone could deny that Sanya is overall the best 400m runner of recent years. Her collection of fast times, plus her dominance on the circuit, show this. The fact remains that she has not been able to consistently transfer this dominance to the majors. Ohuruogo on the other hand has consistently shown her best form at championships, with last year being the aberration, since she false started. Even in 2009 when she finished 5th, she recorded a SB. Perhaps I'm biased, but her finishing half a second behind Sanya at this point seems quite hopeful.
I agree that Sanya must remain the favorite. As with Bolt, I don't need there's any need to get too worried about her at this point. She is winning her races, which is the most important thing. Given her history at championships, however, it is natural that if she struggles to produce fast times she looks more vulnerable. Montsho, Williams-Mills, Ohuruogo and perhaps Felix cannot simply be written off.

[TrackDaddy]

Sanya will be by far the fastest sprinter in the race. Who else has sub 10 speed?

Certainly not Richards-Ross. Despite whether or not you meant this, this is the second time you've communicated on these boards that SRR has sub-10,00 speed. Enough already.

You know what I meant.

As painful as it may be for you, its true.

Disregard the 10.89w she ran this year and check her pr.

Then...name every sprinter IN HISTORY who has run below 11 sec in the 100 and 49 sec in the 400.

If you like, I can leave you 3 blank spaces to fill in below.

[TrackDaddy]

I agree that Sanya must remain the favorite. As with Bolt, I don't need there's any need to get too worried about her at this point. She is winning her races, which is the most important thing. Given her history at championships, however, it is natural that if she struggles to produce fast times she looks more vulnerable. Montsho, Williams-Mills, Ohuruogo and perhaps Felix cannot simply be written off.

Thank you, DF. I understand what youre saying. But...All this history at championships in regard TBO is a bunch of nonsense. Ohuruogo has beaten Sanya ONCE.

Sanya anchored the 2003 WC 4x4 at age 18.
Sanya surprised everyone by even making the team in 2004 at age 19 much less being considered a medal candidate.
In 2005 she lost to the defending olympic champion at age 20. How many 20 year old 400m WC are there?
In 2006 she set the world on fire by running 48.7.
In 2007 while battling lesions from illness all over her body including in her mouth ---she lost at the trials, not the championships. Why hasn't she lost at every trials if something other than illness was the issue?
In 2008, she lost to the Big O AND Shircka in Beijing. No excuses.
In 2009 she was the WC.
In 2010 she got married and took the season off.
In 2011, she worked her way back after taking a season off.

And in 2012...she becomes Olympic champion.

[jjimbojames]

Sooooo - she anchors in 2003 yet you were surprised she made the team in 2004!?!?! Come on - the hyperbole is disrespectful to Sanya and isn't needed - why the need to over-egg things?

And note - you will struggle to find a post of mine slating SRR or her races - I just have the sanity to notice that there are plenty of other women in every race, even if Sanya is in it, winning or losing

[tm71]

most sports hold to the adage "what have u done for me lately" and track and field is that way, may even more than most sports. ohurogu might have won in 08, but she has done squat since then, other than false starting out of her heat last summer. first none of the americans or jamaicans have made their respective teams, so perhaps it is too early to talk about favorites. even if all expected conteders make it, the nod should be given to montsho who won the last major final less than a year ago. at this point running sub 50s and wasthing the legs is not the best idea anyway. i agree with TD that sanya has the speed to win anyway she sees fit. only alison has more speed and it seems like she will choose the 200. still there plenty of time before the olympics so a lot can happen between now and then.

[Trackrunner]

I'm simply not sold on Sanya Richards-Ross for Olympic gold. Whatever the reasons she has not consistently delivered in championship settings. As it stands now there are 3 or 4 contenders for gold (Williams-Mills, Montsho, Richards-Ross, possibly Felix(depending on what she decides to do)), then you have Ohuruogu and Shericka Williams (who I put on the list because of what they did in Beijing but I'm yet to see if they are coming into form in time for the games) . For me it is still to early to call for a definitive favorite.

[TrackDaddy]

Sooooo - she anchors in 2003 yet you were surprised she made the team in 2004!?!?! Come on - the hyperbole is disrespectful to Sanya and isn't needed - why the need to over-egg things?

And note - you will struggle to find a post of mine slating SRR or her races - I just have the sanity to notice that there are plenty of other women in every race, even if Sanya is in it, winning or losing

Why does this stress you, jjj?

I realize there are other women in the race and I respect them tremendously. In fact, too much to be critical of Sanya just because one of those women managed to finish within a half second of her. Unlike you who seem to be believe its Sanya's fault another woman was even capable of it. Can't you see the obvious contradiction in your posts and how disrespectful that is to the other competitors?

Sanya was a college sophomore in 2004 who had just finished 3rd at NCAAs when she turned pro. Yes, some folk (not me) were surprised she made the team- whether you agree or not. And she certainly wasn't a medal favorite with Ana and Tonique in the race having dominated the world in recent years.

So as I showed I would only have to look above in this thread to find an "insane" post of yours "slating" an SRR winning performance. Therefore I didn't have to "struggle" to find it.

Sorry, but you are wrong again, friend.

[jazzcyclist]

Sanya was a college sophomore in 2004 who had just finished 3rd at NCAAs when she turned pro. Yes, some folk (not me) were surprised she made the team- whether you agree or not. And she certainly wasn't a medal favorite with Ana and Tonique in the race having dominated the world in recent years.

Come on TD. Do you really think it was an upset when Sanya made the team in 2004? Since she finished second, you must believe that there were two athletes who finshed behind her who were favored to beat her. Which two was it? Crystal Cox and Deedee Trotter? Moushaumi Robinson and Monique Henderson? Suzanne Reid and Debbie Dunn? Come on man. Quit trying to build up Sanya's competition so much. You're making Lou Holtz blush.

[TrackDaddy]

Sanya was a college sophomore in 2004 who had just finished 3rd at NCAAs when she turned pro. Yes, some folk (not me) were surprised she made the team- whether you agree or not. And she certainly wasn't a medal favorite with Ana and Tonique in the race having dominated the world in recent years.

Come on TD. Do you really think it was an upset when Sanya made the team in 2004? Since she finished second, you must believe that there were two athletes who finshed behind her who were favored to beat her. Which two was it? Crystal Cox and Deedee Trotter? Moushaumi Robinson and Monique Henderson? Suzanne Reid and Debbie Dunn? Come on man. Quit trying to build up Sanya's competition so much. You're making Lou Holtz blush.

Did not both DeeDee and MoHen finish ahead of her at NCAAs? Were they not formidable in their own right? Wasn't MoHen a star at UCLA and DeeDee at Tennesee? Sanya had never split sub50 much less run it open before the trials. Monique Hennagan was the favorite as I remember it and there were people wondering which event Sanya would even decide to focus on. Remember, she was the WJR holder indoors in the 200 and had competed in every event in college from the 60-400m and had All American potential in every one. She wasn't a lock at trials much less the gold medal favorite in the Athens that people now try to make her out to be.

[jazzcyclist]

Did not both DeeDee and MoHen finish ahead of her at NCAAs? Were they not formidable in their own right? Wasn't MoHen a star at UCLA and DeeDee at Tennesee? Sanya had never split sub50 much less run it open before the trials. Monique Hennagan was the favorite as I remember it and there were people wondering which event Sanya would even decide to focus on. Remember, she was the WJR holder indoors in the 200 and had competed in every event in college from the 60-400m and had All American potential in every one. She wasn't a lock at trials much less the gold medal favorite in the Athens that people now try to make her out to be.

Yes, Sanya finshed third at NCAA's, but who was the heavy favorite going into that meet? 'Wasn't it a huge shocker when Deedee won in Austin? I respect the hell out of Deedee and Monique Henderson, but one race didn't invalidate Sanya's entire career resume. And yes, Monique Hennegan was favored to win the trials final, but you're allowed to take three to the Olympics, not one.