Sports News

In Sports News this week: the Czech Republic's results at the World Athletics Championships in Osaka are the most best since the foundation of the state, with the Czech team finishing sixth in the medals table; decathlete Roman Sebrle savours finally becoming world champion at the seventh attempt, while Barbora Spotakova in the javelin and pole vaulter Katerina Badurova set new Czech records on their way to the podium; and Czech tennis star Nicole Vaidisova is knocked out in the third round of the US Open, but says she's happy to be simply be back on the court.

Two gold medals and a silver great tally for Czechs in Osaka

Roman Sebrle, photo: CTK

The Czech Republic has brought home two gold medals and one silver from the World Athletics Championships in Japan's Osaka, the most best tally since the foundation of the state. Perhaps the most headlines have gone to the great Czech decathlete Roman Sebrle. The 32-year-old is the current Olympic champion and holds the decathlon world record; in fact, the only major prize he was lacking was a world champion's medal. For a while it was looking like Sebrle might miss out on the title for the seventh time. But that was until a career best throw of over 71m in the javelin put him in pole position, and he made no mistake in the final event, the 1500m.

Roman Sebrle, photo: CTK

Roman Sebrle was clearly a happy man when he spoke to reporters shortly after becoming world champion.

"When I began my career and won my first medal, I said to myself that it'd be great to have the world record and five gold medals. That has been my life-long target and I've achieved it! But that said I'm still motivated because I remember the last Olympics, and that was absolutely wonderful. So next year's games are a motivation...but I have achieved my life's work!"

Barbora Spotakova, photo: CTK

Sebrle's gold on Saturday came a day after Barbora Spotakova topped the podium in the women's javelin. The former heptathlete improved the Czech national record twice on her way to gold in Osaka. The other Czech medalist Katerina Badurova also set a new national record on her way to silver in the women's pole vault. The Czech Republic finished sixth overall in the medals table.

Berdych to face Roddick in last 16 but Vaidisova just happy to have played in US Open

Nicole Vaidisova, photo: CTK

As the second week of tennis's US Open began the only Czech remaining was Tomas Berdych; he was due to play Andy Roddick for a place in the last eight after the recording of this programme.

The longest-lasting Czech woman in the tournament was Nicole Vaidisova, who was knocked out in the third round by Shahar Peer of Israel. But after coming back from a lengthy absence with glandular fever, the 18-year-old said she was far from disappointed.

"Of course I'm unhappy that I lost, but overall I'm satisfied. I lay in bed for nearly two months, and even two weeks ago I didn't know if I'd be able to play. I wanted to win, but I could really feel that I hadn't been training...I think in two or three weeks' time I'll be able to play my tennis again."