Abdul Zakari Wins in Rome

RIETI, Italy (September 2, 2001 04:16 PM EDT) - Ghana's Abdul Zakari edged Namibia's Frank Fredericks to win the 100 meters in 10.04 seconds at the Rieti Grand Prix on Sunday . Fredericks, returning from a series of injuries, was timed in 10.06.

In other events at the meet near Rome, Hicham El Guerrouj won the 1,500-meter race but was unable to break his world record.

The Moroccan star dominated a race run under perfect conditions but was 3.08 seconds short of the mark of 3:26.00 he set in Rome in 1998.

The three-time world champion said he was tired from his successful Golden League runs in Berlin last Friday.

"I could not do any better," he said. "I promise to set a world record here next year."

El Guerrouj gave up a mile race in Rieti to try for the record at the 1,500, his favorite distance. He was timed in 3:29.08, ahead of Spain's Andres Manuerl Diaz, who finished in 3:33.79.

In Berlin, El Guerrouj shared a Golden League jackpot of gold bars, worth about $500,000, with five other athletes, including Americans Marion Jones and Allen Johnson.

Troy Douglas of the Netherlands took the 200 in 20.19, ahead of Uchenna Emedolu of Nigeria and Darvis Patton of the United States.

Canada's Diane Cummins led from start to finish in the women's 800, winning in 1:58.39. Endurance Ojokolo of Nigeria won the 100 in 11.08. Myriam Mani of Cameroon took the 200, in 22.54.

Turkey's Ebru Kavaklioglu beat Britain's Joanne Pavey by nearly two seconds in the women's 3,000. Kenyans Joseph Mwengi Mutua and Mark Bett won the 800 and 3,000, respectively.