Brad Walker wins in Osaka...

Waitaminute! Aren't you a little late with the headline from the World Championships?!?

Not really...

Returning to the scene of his most significant victory, Brad Walker of Mountlake Terrace (second on the left/press conference photo courtesy Osaka Grand Prix LOC) won the pole vault at today's Osaka Grand Prix meeting at Nagai Stadium, clearing 17-8 1/2, defeating fellow American Russ Buller, who jumped 17-4 1/2, under rainy conditions.

According to the iaaf.org web site, temperatures at the start of the meet at 3 pm local time were at 12.5 degrees celsius (55 degrees F), making vaulting conditions less than ideal.

Walker said after the competition, “Because of the weather, I just concentrated on winning, and flying home without injury.”

Two-time Olympian Aretha Thurmond from Federal Way finished third in the women's discus competition, throwing 193-6, behind Aimin Song (198-1) and Taifeng Sun (197-8) of China.

Recent University of Washington grad Ryan Brown finished second in the 800 meters, running 1:48.07.

Another former Husky, Carly Dockendorf, finished in a tie for third in the pole vault, jumping 13-1 1/2.

Complete results from the Osaka Grand Prix are posted here, and the meet summary is here.