Bend’s Eaton Takes Decathlon Silver at Worlds

Trey Hardee successfully defended his world decathlon title Sunday, winning the gold ahead of Bend’s Ashton Eaton to give the U.S. its first 1-2 finish in the event at the world championships.

Hardee, the world indoor and outdoor champion, solidified the lead he had taken earlier in the day with a javelin throw of 226 feet, 4 inches, a personal best. He finished ninth in the 1,500 meters but his lead was big enough to claim gold with 8,607 points.

“I thought it would take a couple of throws to get it up to 69,” Hardee said. “It was good that it happened when it did. It was a very important event and I really needed those points.”

The Americans have won gold in the three of the last four world championships. Hardee said the victory came at a good time with the London Olympics less than a year away.

“Next year is big,” Hardee said. “It’s the Olympics. They come around not too often so I’ll be ready for them.”

Eaton was second with 8,505 points and Leonel Suarez of Cuba took third with 8,501.

Hardee had the fastest time in the 110-meter hurdles at 13.85 seconds in the first of three early events Sunday. He also finished third in the discus and tied for sixth in the pole vault.

The day got off to a promising start for Eaton when he finished 0.12 seconds behind Hardee in the hurdles, but the U.S. champion’s lead disappeared after an 11th-place finish in the discus followed by a 10th-place showing in the pole vault.

Suarez improved his chances for a medal with a solid second-place finish in the hurdles and fourth in the pole vault.

Eaton, who held a 53-point lead over Hardee after Saturday’s events, finished first in his 1,500 heat but couldn’t recover after poor showings in javelin, pole vault and discus.

“I was disappointed with myself,” Eaton said. “You could see that yesterday and in some events today like the pole vault and hurdles. But how can I complain? I’m a silver medalist.”