SOPOT, Poland — US shot putter Ryan Whiting retained his world indoor title in thrilling style Friday as Nadine Broersen claimed the Netherlands' first ever women's pentathlon gold. In a packed opening day at the Ergo Arena at the Polish Baltic Sea resort town of Sopot, a host of other favorites safely negotiated their heats ahead of finals over the weekend. In a gripping shot put contest, Whiting managed a best of 22.05 meters on his fourth attempt to finish 26cm ahead of Germany's two-time outdoor champion David Storl, the early leader. New Zealand's Tomas Walsh claimed a surprise bronze (21.26m) to break home hearts, as the hugely popular Tomasz Majewski finished 22cm short of the podium. The 23-year-old Broersen racked up 4,830 points from the five disciplines of 60m hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump and 800m that make up the pentathlon. “My head is like a rollercoaster,” said Broersen, who only started combined events in 2009. “It was a hard competition. These are tears of joy in my eyes.” Her victory ruined any chance of golden marital bliss for Canada's silver medalist Brianne Thiesen Eaton, whose American husband Ashton Eaton was primed for top spot on the podium in the men's heptathlon. Thiesen Eaton put her silver-medal showing, in what was the closest ever world indoor pentathlon with just 273 points separating the eight athletes, down to a lack of mental steel. “It wasn't so much the physical thing I struggled with, but more a little bit mentally, getting excited to compete at this meet,” she said. In other events, a host of familiar faces advanced smoothly through their heats, notably Australian Sally Pearson, who matched her season best of 7.79sec to easily progress in the 60m hurdles. “I was quite nervous out there because it is the first round,” said Pearson, who claimed the world outdoor 100m hurdles title in 2011 in Daegu and went on to win Olympic gold in London a year later. “I am in good shape, it felt comfortable and I am excited to be here. In the final, I want to win, of course, but I will have to run faster than what I have done.” Jamaican Nesta Carter, the fifth fastest man of all time over 100m, sailed through his opening 60m heat along with a bunch of other favorites including US duo Marvin Bracy and Trell Kimmons, and British veteran Dwain Chambers. Kenyan-born Bernard Lagat and US teammate Galen Rupp, the training partner of absent Briton Mo Farah, both moved through to the final of the men's 3000m. American combined events king Ashton Eaton remained on course to break his own world heptathlon record Saturday. Day two of the three-day competition also saw Jamaican sprint legend Veronica Campbell-Brown take to the blue running track at Sopot's Ergo Arena after a 10-month lay-off following a botched doping case. — Agencies
