The men's heptathlon was billed as an American battle between Olympic champion Bryan Clay and world champion Trey Hardee at the world indoor championships in Doha, Qatar.

But after four of seven events yesterday, Clay, a Kāne'ohe native, led with 3,549 points, just one ahead of Aleksey Drozdov of Russia. Oleksiy Kasyanov of Ukraine was in bronze-medal position with 3,477, while Hardee was fifth with 3,450.

Clay, a Castle High alum, was first in the 60 meters (6.67 seconds, 1,003 points), sixth in the long jump (7.27 meters (23 feet, 10 1/4 inches), 878), third in the shot put (season-best 15.31m (50-2 3/4), 809) and sixth in the high jump (season-best 2.06 (6-9 3/4), 859).

The heptathlon concludes today with the 60 meter hurdles, pole vault and 1,000 meters.

The Associated Press and www.iaaf.org contributed to this report.