Robles hauls in Trammell to capture world indoor 60m hurdles crown

From David Jordan, Sportsbeat, in Doha

DAYRON Robles pulled in USA's Terrence Trammell to secure 60m hurdles gold at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Doha.

INDOOR SUCCESS: Dayron Robles celebrates yet another medal for his collection as he 
takes 60m hurdles gold in Doha (Getty Images)

The Cuban, who won 110m hurdles Olympic gold in Beijing two years ago, started slowly in the ASPIRE Dome but tracked down the American in the closing stages to win in a championship record of 7.34 seconds.

Trammell did all he could, setting an American record of 7.36 to strike silver while compatriot David Oliver clocked a personal best 7.44 for bronze.

But there was no keeping up with the Cuban as he stormed through the field from the middle lane and Robles admitted he had used the prospect of breaking Colin Jackson's world record of 7.30 seconds as added motivation in Doha.

"I wanted to break the World record here," said the Cuban.

"Many people at home were expecting me to win this gold but I still had to win it against the world's best hurdlers so I am very happy.

"I knew the race would be decided in the photo finish as Trammell is very fast and has a great start.

"But I love racing with him because every time we meet I run great times. This has been a really important event for me - as important as winning the Olympic gold. Everyone was waiting for this."

Trammell had reached the final as fastest qualifier, emphatically beating China's defending champion Lui Xiang to win his semi in 7.51.

But while the scalp of former Olympic champion Xiang, who finished seventh in his first major final since returning from a 13-month absence through injury, was a confidence-builder, nothing could prepare the American for his first clash of the season with Robles.

The Cuban had eased through his qualifying rounds, saving his best for the final in Doha and subjected Trammell to his sixth major silver medal.

Meanwhile, Jamaica's triple Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown powered through to win the women's 60m sprint with a personal best time of 7.00.

The 27-year old is a 200m specialist outdoors, with both her individual Olympic titles coming over that distance, but she proved she could mix it over the shorter distances in Doha, dominating from the gun amongst a classy field.

US Virgin Islands' LaVerne Jones-Ferrette set the world leading time ahead of the championships and came through for silver in 7.03 with USA's Carmelita Jeter another 0.02 back in bronze.