Gaisah Grabs Gold In Long Jump

Golden Boy Ignisious Essuman Gaisah, the nation?s most decorated athlete, won the Gold Medal in the men?s long jump event of the IAAF Gaz de France Grand Prix in Paris Saint-Dennis at the week-end.

The Ghanaian?s leap of 8:31 metres left world champion Dwight Philips of the United States trailing badly in third position. Philips jumped 8.16 metres behind Irving Saladino of Panama, who took the silver medal with 8.29 metres. Gaisah, 24, voted three times SWAG Sports Personality of the Year, turned men?s long jump upside down in March this year. In an incredible 10- day period, Gaisah won the gold in the World Indoor Championship in Moscow and grabbed the top spot in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Two other Ghanaians were in the news in the grand prix circuit last week. Veteran Eric Nkansah was second in the second race of the 100 metres event in Luzern. He clocked 10.49 secs in the event won by Kareem Streete-Thompson of Cayman Island. The winner?s time was 10.35secs.

Ernest Osei, not a very popular name in local athletics circles was fifth. His time was 10.57 secs.

In the event in Paris, World record holder Asafa Powell stormed home in 9.85 to claim the 100 metres gold medal. Orcus Brunson of the United States of America and Ronald Pognog of France were the silver and bronze medallists respectively. Brunson?s time was 10.08 secs while Pognog clocked 10.11 secs.

Marion Jones returning to the track after the controversy over urine samples claimed the 100 metres women event. She was timed 10.92 secs.