My 2011 #1’s Rankers by Event

Time to start wrapping up the season. The Pan American Games are still on tap for the end of the month, but I don’t see them changing anything here – or with most of the post season awards yet to be distributed. So I will start with event #1’s, move on to Athletes of the Year, give a few of my own special awards, then break down several events.

As I’ve lamented a few times since Daegu, 2011 was not a great year for U.S. men. As I went through each event, I could only find place for three #1’s among American men – and none on the track. American women faired slightly better with five #1’s overall – three on the track and two in the field.

While many of the decisions were fairly easy, there were some that were a bit more difficult. For those that I felt some may have question, I have provided a brief explanation following each set of #1’s. Feel free to ask about any you may have questions about and I will gladly give you my rationale.

With that, here are my #1 ranked athletes for the 2011 season.

 

2011 #1’s by Event – Men

Event	Athlete	Country
100 meters	Yohan Blake	JAM
200 meters	Usain Bolt	JAM
400 meters	Kirani James	GRN
800 meters	David Rudisha	KEN
1500 meters	Asbel Kiprop	KEN
3000 steeplechase	Ezekiel Kemboi	KEN
5000 meters	Mo Farah	GBR
10,000 meters	Mo Farah	GBR
110 hurdles	Liu Xiang	CHN
400 hurdles	David Greene	GBR
High Jump	Jesse Williams	USA
Pole Vault	Renaud Lavillenie	FRA
Long Jump	Mitchell Watt	AUS
Triple Jump	Christian Taylor	USA
Shot Put	Dylan Armstrong	CAN
Discus	Robert Harting	GER
Hammer	Krisztian Pars	HUN
Javelin	Andreas Thorkildsen	NOR
Decathlon	Tre Hardee	USA

 

My Tough decisions:

Men’s 100 – Usain Bolt was undefeated, but never competed against World Champion Blake who in addition to the World title put up impressive numbers and only finished 2nd twice during the year.

Men’s 110 hurdles – Liu Xiang had the year’s 2nd fastest time, had only 1 loss outside the World championships (2nd to Oliver at Pre) and wins in Daegu if not for the impediment.

Men’s 400 hurdles – David Greene was never worse than 3rd and won the World title in Deagu. In a year where every major hurdler had major hiccups and losses, Greene gets my nod.

Men’s Triple Jump – Christian Taylor just won all year. He was the NCAA champion, US champion, and World champion. He had the best mark in the world and became #5 all time. He won major meets in London and Budapest and only had one hiccup all year (in Monaco). Most didn’t know who he was prior to Daegu – now they know. Reminiscent of Sergey Bubka’s debut in 1983.

Men’s Hammer – Koji Murofushi won Worlds and had only one loss – but he only had three meets with two of those at home. Meanwhile Krisztian Pars competed in 23 meets, winning 20 of them and was never worse than 2nd including his silver in Daegu.

 

2011 #1’s by Event – Women

Event	Athlete	Country
100 meters	Carmelita Jeter	USA
200 meters	Veronica Campbell Brown	JAM
400 meters	Amantle Montsho	BOT
800 meters	Mariya Savinova	RUS
1500 meters	Morgan Uceny	USA
3000 steeplechase	Yuliya Zaripova	RUS
5000 meters	Vivian Cheruiyot	KEN
10,000 meters	Vivian Cheruiyot	KEN
100 hurdles	Sally Pearson	AUS
400 hurdles	Lashinda Demus	USA
High Jump	Anna Chicherova	RUS
Pole Vault	Jenn Suhr	USA
Long Jump	Brittney Reese	USA
Triple Jump	Olha Saladuha	UKR
Shot Put	Valerie Adams	NZL
Discus	Li Yanfeng	CHN
Hammer	Betty Heidler	GER
Javelin	Christina Obergfoll	GER
Heptathlon	Tatyana Chernova	RUS

 

My tough decisions:

Women’s 1500 – Morgan Uceny won the most big races (Brussels, Birmingham, Lausanne) was 2nd in NY, 3rd at Pre & Monaco, and was the world leader on the clock. Her fall in Daegu was her only major blemish, and she was tripped in that race.

Women’s Pole Vault – Jenn Suhr was only 4th in Daegu but she was the yearly leader, defeated gold medalist Murer in London, Stockholm & Zurich, and easily had the best overall record.

Women’s Javelin – Christina Obergfoll was only bronze in Daegu but never less than 2nd the rest of the year. She had the best overall seasonal record including wins over the gold/silver medalists from Daegu.