The Japan Times - Doroshchuk wins Ukraine's second world indoor gold, Hodgkinson and Alfred coast

Doroshchuk cleared 2.30 metres for his first global podium, his win coming fast on the heels of teammate Yaroslava Mahuchikh's victory in the women's high jump on Friday.

Mexico's Erick Portillo took silver on countback, with Jamaica's Raymond Richards and South Korea's defending champion Woo Sanghyeok sharing bronze, having both gone over 2.26m.

Belgium claimed the opening gold of the day in the mixed 4x400m, in its world indoor debut.

The quartet of Jonathan Sacoor, Ilana Hanssens, Julien Watrin and Helena Ponette clocked 3min 15.60sec for victory.

Relays powerhouse USA had won the mixed 4x400m at the past two outdoor world champs, but a botched first handover by Jevon O'Bryant left Sara Reifenrath prone and without one shoe -- and all hopes for a podium gone.

Blanca Hervas' surge for the line ensured silver for Spain, Poland taking bronze.

Also on the track, Britain's Keely Hodgkinson, who smashed the indoor 800m world record last month, kept her hopes of a first-ever world indoor title on track as she sailed through to the final of the four-lap race.

Untimely injuries have prevented the 24-year-old from taking part in the past three editions of the world indoors.

But the Briton, who earned Tokyo Olympic silver and Paris Olympic gold and who has two world outdoor silver medals and a bronze, looks to be in perfect shape and coasted through her heat in 1:58.53.

"The race was fine," said Hodgkinson. "I just did what my coach said - to be faster in the first 400m and then finish around 1:58.

"I am looking for my bed now. It is rough to run in the mornings. We will see how fast I can run tomorrow," with the final set for 1853 GMT on Sunday.

- Alfred coasts -

Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred led a clutch of favourites through to the semi-finals of the women's 60m.

Alfred, whose gold in the Paris Games was a first-ever Olympic medal for her home island nation of St Lucia, won her heat in 7.06sec.

Alfred has the chance to regain a world indoor title she won in Glasgow in 2024, while Italy's Zaynab Dosso will be looking to complete the medal set after silver in 2025 and bronze in 2024.

Alfred's heat-winning time was matched by Jamaican Brianna Lyston, as Dosso, Britain's Dina Asher-Smith, home hope Ewa Swoboda, American Jacious Sears, Luxembourg's Patrizia van der Weken and Jamaica's Jonielle Smith all qualified in style.

The semi-finals are scheduled for 1914 GMT, with the final set for 2020 GMT later Saturday.

The women's 60m is just one part of a blockbuster evening session, with Sweden's Armand Duplantis seeking a fourth title in the pole vault, fresh off a new world record.

The men's 3,000m features the full 1,500m podium from the 2024 Olympics along with the world 3,000m steeplechase champion in a stacked clash of medallists.

And Venezuela's world and Olympic triple jump champion Yulimar Rojas, also the world record-holder, is in action in her own bid for a fourth world indoor title.

T.Kobayashi--JT