Linz (Austria), Aug 01: Frankie Fredericks of Namibia won his fourth and fifth events in Linz at the 16th Gugl meeting last night, setting a new championship record. Fredericks, 35, a four-time 200-metre Olympic silver medallist, won both the 100- and 200-metre events, raising his tally to a record five wins in the Austrian town.
In the women's competition, Austria's Karin Mayr-Krifka surprisingly defeated Olympic and world championships medallist Merlene Ottey, who was born in Jamaica but now runs for Slovenia. Later in the event, under 23 European champion martin Proell of Austria, who had surprised the athletics world coming second in Linz last season, managed to top his previous best, winning the 3,000-metre steeplechase race. Proell won the race in eight minutes 21.75 seconds, ahead of African runner Leuelseged Walle of Ethiopia (8:22.37) and Kenyan Ronald Kipchumba (8:24.54). Proell's countryman Guenther Weidlinger collapsed during the race, and was taken to a medical Centre, but was later released.
Proell's countrywomen, 5,000-metre specialist Susanne Pumper and 800-metre top runner Stefanie Graf, completed the Austrian triumph, also celebrating wins in their respective disciplines.
Winning the 5,000 metres in 15:18.79, Pumper qualified for the World Championships in Paris from August 23-31.
Jamaica's Maurice Wignall recorded a personal best of 13.28 seconds, outpacing Austrian Elmar Lichtenegger and US sprinter Duane Ross in the men's 110-metre hurdles races who came in a disappointed third in 13.43.


Bureau Report