Isinbayeva sets new pole vault world record

Russian Yelena Isinbayeva roared back to the top of the women's pole vaulting charts after her disastrous Berlin world championships campaign by setting a new world record of 5.06 metres at the Zurich Golden League yesterday.

Isinbayeva, who failed with all three attempts as arch-rival Anna Rogowska of Poland claimed gold at the recently-concluded worlds, bettered her previous best mark of 5.05m set at the Beijing Olympics.

"Now I understand why there was that defeat in Berlin - to have this amazing result," said Isinbayeva.

"It's like a dream, it's hard to believe."

Isinbayeva had admitted to being "over-confident" going into the world championships which finished last weekend.

The double Olympic champion was a shadow of her usual self in her bid to win a third consecutive world title as she failed at 4.75m and then twice at 4.80m to finish out of the medals.

But the 27-year-old looked in top form yesterday, upping the ante against Rogowska and reaching the new world record in just three vaults.

Jamaican world and Olympic champion Usain Bolt looked in trouble before pegging back compatriot Asafa Powell to win the 100 metres.

Bolt, who set new world records in the 100 and 200m (9.58 and 19.19 seconds) at the world championships in Berlin, was trailing Powell with 25 metres to go but put on the afterburners to ensure victory.

The towering Jamaican eventually clocked 9.81sec with Powell - who equalled a then-world record of 9.77sec in Zurich three years ago - at 0.07sec.

American Darvis Patton was third in a season's best of 9.95 with compatriot Michael Rodgers also ducking under 10 seconds.