Sport

Nolan takes control to claim Nuremburg title

Athletics: James Nolan had his finest win so far on the European track circuit yesterday when he won the 1,500 metres at the …

Mon Jun 18 2001 - 01:00

Athletics: James Nolan had his finest win so far on the European track circuit yesterday when he won the 1,500 metres at the Nuremburg International. The UCD athlete clocked three minutes, 36.90 seconds - easily his fastest of the season - and just .70 outside the A-standard qualifying time for the World Championships in Edmonton in August, writes Ian O'Riordan.

Leading into the final 200 metres, Nolan left a couple of leading Africans in his wake and the victory also makes up for his disappointing run in Hengelo earlier this month. It also puts him in top form ahead of next weekend's European Cup in Finland.

Meanwhile, Robert Heffernan and Gillian O'Sullivan took the silver medals in their respective events in the Dublin International Grand Prix of Race Walking held in the Phoenix Park on Saturday. Heffernan lost out to the world number one Nathan Deakes from Australia. Deakes broke the Australian record, clocking the fastest time in the world this year with one hour 18 minutes and 14 seconds.

O'Sullivan recorded the second fastest time in her career in 1.30.35, just over 30 seconds outside her Irish record. Portugal's Susane Feitor was a most impressive victor in 1.28.06 with Australian Jane Saville in third. Olive Loughnane, achieved her goal when she took fourth in 1.34.54, an A-standard mark for the World Championships.

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Tennis: Lleyton Hewitt successfully defended his Stella Artois Championships title with a straight sets win over Tim Henman at Queen's Club yesterday.

Hewitt held his nerve the better on the key points to complete a 7-6 7-6 victory on Centre Court after earlier beating Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras in their delayed semi-final.

An epic second set could have gone either way with Henman doing superbly to save six break points over two service games.

Motor Sport: In front of a crowd of 15,000 spectators French saloon racing expert Yvan Muller powered a Vauxhall Astra Coupe to two dominant wins in the British touring car championship feature at Mondello Park yesterday. In the first race over 15 laps Jason Kay in a Honda Accord finished second to win the production class. In the 30lap feature race Jason Plato was second behind Muller. Jason Kay finished fifth to again win the production class.