Athletics: Hession loses out in photo finish
Monday September 15 2008
Paul Hession was denied the biggest victory of his career after a very close photo finish decision placed him second in the 200m at the IAAF World Athletics Final in Stuttgart yesterday.
The Galway sprinter was just denied victory by the vastly experienced Stephane Buckland from Mauritius who got up to win in a time of 20.57sec with the gallant Hession just beaten out in the dip at the tape by one hundredth of a second in 20.58, his fastest time since his exploits in the Beijing.
As it happened, it was just the upper torso of Buckland that gave him the ever-so-slight edge over the Irishman.
They were followed over the line by a host of top sprinters with Brendan Christian from Antigua third in 20.61, Christopher Williams fourth in 20.66, while Rodney Martin of the USA was a well beaten fifth from the eight-man field.
Brian Dzingai of Zimbabwe, who was fourth in the Olympic final, was run out of it and finished sixth in 20.88.
Considering the fact that six of Hession's opponents had faster times than him and were, in turn, placed in more favourable lanes this was a top-class effort from Hession, who had to race right on the outside with Buckland (31) next inside him.
The chilly conditions in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium made it difficult for fast sprinting, but Christian looked good as he entered the straight to open up a two-metre lead only to fold and was picked up by Buckland and Hession as the pair lunged towards the finishing line.
If there was a consolation in his hour of defeat for Hession it came in the fact that he won $20,000 for his runner-up position, the most he has ever won in his life, with Buckland being rewarded for his victory with a cheque for $30,000.
This was yet another example of how much Hession has improved and moved up the ladder in world class, having become the first Irish sprinter to qualify for an Olympic semi-final last month when he missed the final by just one place.
"I came here in the hope of ending a great season on a high note and I have to be happy enough, although it would have been nice to win," said Hession.
"But I'm already looking forward to next season and what it promises for me. I've not eased back since the Olympics and I really feel like I belong in this type of company."
This latest run is sure to give Hession yet more confidence and he is likely to spend some of his prize-money on warm winter training away from Scotland where he trains regularly under the guidance of his coach, Stuart Hogg. And Hession (25) now has a busy schedule ahead of him with the World and European Championships coming up in the next few years.
- Tom O'Riordan
