BUDAPEST (August 26) — Canadian athlete Pierce LePage clinched the country’s first-ever world decathlon gold medal at the 2023 World Track and Field Championships here in Budapest on Saturday.
World-Leading Mark For Pierce LePage
Starting the day in second place, LePage swiftly moved to the top of the standings after the 110-meter hurdles, the day’s opening event. He consistently maintained his lead throughout, ending the eight-event competition with a world-leading score of 8,909 points to become Canada’s first decathlon world championships gold medalist.
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This win also prevented his fellow countryman and Olympic champion, Damian Warner, from adding the only title he hasn’t yet achieved to his collection.
Despite Warner’s battling efforts in search of his first world championship gold, having previously secured a silver in 2015 and bronzes in 2013 and 2019, he had to settle for second place today with 8,804 points.
Lindon Victor Sets Grenada National Record
The bronze medal was claimed by Lindon Victor from Grenada, who amassed 8,756 points to surpass his own national record. Victor, who was outside the medals overnight, improved his podium chances when he threw a combined event discus best with 54.97m to move from fifth to third.
Estonia’s Karel Tilga produced a lifetime-best score of 8,681 points to take fourth, while overnight leader Leo Neugebauer of Germany struggled on Saturday’s second day of the competition and was fifth with 8,645 points.
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Meanwhile, Kevin Mayer from France, the current world record-holder in the event, had to unfortunately exit the competition early on due to an Achilles injury he suffered recently.
This world decathlon victory for Pierce LePage is a monumental step in his journey to future championship success, including his quest to win the Paris 2024 Olympic gold medal next year.
The decathlon is an exhaustive event, challenging athletes over ten diverse disciplines, from sprints and jumps to throws and long-distance runs. It’s a true test of an athlete’s agility, power, and technique, making it a pinnacle event in track and field.
2023 World Championships Men’s Decathlon Points Standings
- Pierce Lepage (Canada) – 8909 points, World Leading
- Damian Warner (Canada) – 8804 points, Season’s Best
- Lindon Victor (Grenada) – 8756 points, National Record
- Karel Tilga (Estonia) – 8681 points, Personal Best
- Leo Neugebauer (Germany) – 8645 points, Personal Best
- Janek Õiglane (Estonia) – 8524 points, Personal Best
- Harrison Williams (USA) – 8500 points
- Markus Rooth (Norway) – 8491 points, Personal Best
- Johannes Erm (Estonia) – 8484 points, Personal Best
- Sander Skotheim (Norway) – 8263 points
- Manuel Eitel (Germany) – 8191 points
- Daniel Golubovic (Australia) – 8141 points
- Rik Taam (Netherlands) – 8098 points
- Jose Fernando Ferreira Santa (Brazil) – 7935 points, Personal Best
- Yuma Maruyama (Japan) – 7844 points.
