Bryan Clay takes Olympic decathlon lead after three events
Advertiser Staff and News Services
BEIJING — Hawai'i's Bryan Clay of the United States got off to a good start Thursday winning the first two events and placing second in the third event for the overall lead of the men's decathlon at the Beijing Summer Olympics.
Clay led the 10-event competition with 2,862 points. Oleksiy Kasyanov of the Ukraine was second with 2,717. American Trey Hardee was third with 2,657.
Clay, a Castle High alum from Kane'ohe, won the 100-meter dash in 10.44 seconds for 989 points. He won the long jump with a season best 7.78 meters (25 feet, 6€ inches) for 1,005 points. Clay was second in the shot put with a throw of 16.27 meters (53 feet, 4 inches), a personal best for 868 points, behind Alexander Pogorelov of Russia (16.53).
The high jump and 400 meters will be run later Thursday. The final five events are scheduled for Friday.
Former world champion Tom Pappas was forced to withdraw. He suffered a foot injury during 100-meter dash.
Clay, who now lives in Glendora, Calif., was the decathlon silver medalist in 2004.