Athletics / Cologne Grand Prix: Matete victorious

SAMUEL MATETE, Zambia's world 400 metres hurdles silver medallist, completed his second victory in three days yesterday to move confidently towards the Commonwealth Games.

Matete, who defeated the in- form American Derrick Adkins and Ukraine's European champion Oleg Tverdokhleb in Brussels on Friday, produced one his typically strong finishes to clock 48.20sec at the Cologne Grand Prix. He picked up pace off the last barrier to cross the line ahead of Tverdokhleb, who took second place in 48.32.

Adkins, who beat Matete in Zurich last Wednesday and is the fastest man in the world over the distance this year, decided not to compete in Cologne after finishing a disappointing fourth in Brussels.

'There was not so much pressure without Adkins,' Matete said. 'I tried to save as much energy as possible because I'm flying to the Commonwealth Games tomorrow. I don't intend to be beaten in the next few races.'