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Eaton breaks world record to win decathlon

Xinhua, August 29, 2015 Adjust font size:

Ashton Eaton of the United States shattered the decathlon world record and won the gold medal at the world athletics championships here on Saturday.

Eaton bettered his own world mark of 9,039 by six points after finishing third in the last event - 1,500m.

It was the first world record at the Beijing worlds.

The previous world record was set by himself three years ago in Eugene. He also broke the world championships record set by Czech legend Thomas Dvorak in the 2001 worlds.

"The result is awesome but I did not do it alone," said Eaton.

"I meet these guys all over the year at the competitions. I tried to use the Algerian guy to push me at the 1,500. Everything he sped up, I tried to keep up with him. It helped my a lot."

Eaton has continued his dominance in the event, winning at both indoor and outdoor worlds.

The Olympic champion led from the outset after clocking 10.23 seconds in the first event - 100m. After solid marks in the long jump (7.88m), shot put (14.52m) and high jump (2.01m), he ended the first day with a world decathlon best of 45.00 in 400m.

He continued to lead throughout the second day, clocking 13.69 in the 110m hurdles, throwing 43.34m in discus, clearing 5.20m in pole vault and throwing 63.63m in javelin. After nine events, his score was already 8,216.

Going into the final event, he needed to run 4:18.25 to break his world record of 9,039. He seemed to be some way off the pace with a lap to go, but he kicked hard in the closing stages to cross the line in 4:17.52.

"Definitely, we will celebrate at home, we are going to visit our friends and family," said Eaton about his post-competition plan.

"We make choice about the people who we can spend the time with and now we make the time for them."

The 9,045 points earned him a bonus of 100,000 US dollars.

Damian Warner took silver with a Canadian record, 350 points behind Eaton. Rico Freimuth of Germany had bronze with 8,561 points.

"I am pretty happy but it is a little bitter sweet," said second-placed Warner.

"My score was 8,695 and I was going for the 8,700 points." Enditem