Idowu shines but Chambers stutters in Rio

WORLD triple jump champion Phillips Idowu has started his 2010 season in style by recording a world leading mark at the IAAF World Challenge event in Rio.

COOL CUSTOMER: Great Britain's Phillips Idowu moves top of the IAAF rankings with his debut triple jump outing in Rio (Getty Images)

The 31-year old led from the beginning of the competition with his first round 17.48 metre effort, which propelled him ahead of Cuba's Alexis Copello and Taddy Tamgho in the early season rankings.

Copello settled for second while Brazil's Jadel Gregório, the 2007 world silver medallist, was third.

"It was a great competition", said Idowu. 

"The result was the best mark of the season and that leaves me very satisfied, giving that this is my first outing." 

However, Dwain Chambers made a stuttering start to his season as he was beaten by the man he beat to claim the 60m world indoor title in Doha earlier this month.

American Mike Rodgers clocked 10.06 seconds, while Chambers was just behind in 10.11 secs, followed by Jamaica's Lerone Clarke and Trinidad and Tobago's Richard Thompson, the Olympic silver medallist,

"I'm happy, it's all good," said Chambers, whose previous doping suspension means he is denied invitations to many of the world's top events, despite his status as Europe's top sprinter.

"It was one of the more contested races of the year so far and that is what I need at the moment."