Gebrselassie lands record

ATHLETICS: Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie smashed the world indoor two-mile record at the Birmingham Grand Prix last night.

His time of eight minutes 04.69 seconds, was well inside the previous record of 8:09.66 set by compatriot Haylu Mekonnen in Birmingham in 2000.

In his first race since winning $100,000 for a world record time in a 10K road race last December, the world 5,000m and 10,000m champion collected another $50,000 for effort.

Gebrselassie, who has now set 16 world records on the track, was on course from the start as Canadian Graham Hood set a blistering early pace.

"The record was not that difficult to beat because the race was so fast (and) . . . the crowd was fantastic," the Ethiopian added.

Gebrselassie said he would probably run only one event at the World Indoor Championships, in the same arena, next month. "I will probably only run the 3,000. That's enough because I am getting old," he said.

BOXING: Sligo heavyweight Alan Reynolds was the first of the reigning champions to retain his title at the National Senior Championship finals at the National Stadium last night, reports Pat Roche. But the real treat for a packed house was provided by a newcomer, 18-year old Andy Lee, a brilliant middleweight prospect from the St Francis Club in Limerick.

Lee gave an exhibition of southpaw boxing and lived up to his burgeoning reputation in outclassing Eamonn O'Kane of St Canice's Club, Dungiven, 27-12.

The World Junior Championships silver medallist gave the crowd plenty to cheer about, winning all four rounds in style; although the St Canice's boy deserved great credit for his willingness to come forward and make a fight of it.

Flyweight Paul Hyland, of the Golden Cobra Club in Tallaght, was a popular 13-8 winner over Oughterard's Thomas Lee. Lee had his best round in the third and put it up to Hyland by coming forward, in a two-fisted assault. However, Hyland was clever in his application and recorded a notable victory.

Heavyweight Reynolds was a clear 32-10 winner over Thomas Donnelly of the Mark Heagney Club in Ulster.

Reynolds was well in control from the first bell and already led 24-9 after three rounds. Donnelly, who lacked the punching technique of the stylish Reynolds, said afterwards "He was hard to get at; anyway I am not a heavyweight I am in between. But have no complaints." Donnelly took two standing counts of eight in the second and third rounds.