USA's Emma Coburn Wins Bronze in 3000m Steeplechase

American Clayton Murphy gets bronze in 800

American Emma Coburn won the bronze medal in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase final Monday morning.

Emma Coburn clocked 9:07.63 to break her own American record. Bahrain’s Ruth Jebet won gold and Kenya’s Hyvin Jepkemoi got the silver medal.

She became the first U.S. woman to stand on an Olympic steeplechase podium since the event debuted on the women's Olympic program in 2008. 

It's also the first medal for the U.S. in the event since 1984 when Brian Diemer won the bronze.

Coburn said she trusted her coaches who believed that running a fast, aggressive race will win her a medal. 

"Third in the world is really incredible. I'm really happy," Coburn said. 

She finished ninth at the 2012 Olympics, where she was the youngest U.S. runner. She's also a five-time national champion and the American record holder in the event.

David Rushida of Kenya pulled away in the final quarter of the race to defend his Olympic title in the 800 meters, and American Clayton Murphy won bronze — the first American medal in the event since 1992. Algeria's Taoufik Makhloufi won silver.

In the women's hammer throw final, Anita Wlodarczyk of Poland recorded the two best marks in history to win the final, improving the world record to 82.29 meters.

The 31-year-old world champion dominated the final after throwing an Olympic record 80.40 on her second attempt, twice throwing beyond her previous world-record mark of 81.08.

Wlodarczyk's third attempt was her best and locked up the gold, and she followed up with 81.74 with her fifth. 

Zhang Wenxiu of China won the silver medal with her season-best 76.75 and Sophie Hitchon of Britain moved into the bronze medal position with her last attempt of 74.54.

In the women's 200, Americans Tory Bowie, Jenna Prandini and Deaja Stevens all advanced to semifinals, along with 100-meter champion Elaine Thompson of Jamaica. 

In a dramatic finish to the women's 400, Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas fell over the finish line to beat Allyson Felix for gold.

Felix became the most decorated U.S. woman in Olympic track and field history with seven medals, breaking a tie with Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

At 30 years and 271 days, Felix also became the oldest woman to medal in the 400.

In the men's pole vault, Brazil's Thiago Braz Da Silva electrified the home crowd by setting an Olympic record of 6.03 meters to win gold over France's Renaud Lavillenie and the USA's Sam Hendricks.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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