Sprinter Is Striding Toward Fame

In an event that produces superstars, sprinter Mark Witherspoon sees himself as an unknown quantity.

“I’m the Unknown Sprinter,” Witherspoon said Saturday after beating Leroy Burrell in the 100-meter dash in an international track and field meet at Shizuoka, Japan.

“I don’t like being unknown, but I have no say in the matter,” Witherspoon said. “I guess I just have to run faster more often.”

A one week ago, Witherspoon beat Burrell and Carl Lewis at Rieti, Italy. His best time this year of 10.05 seconds is one of the top five for the season.

Saturday’s 100 was split into heats, with Burrell and Witherspoon starting first on the rain-soaked track. Witherspoon (10.21) beat Burrell (10.23) by about one meter. Lewis (10.23) had to rally in the final 20 meters to beat Dennis Mitchell (10.25) in the second heat.

Although some of the best athletes in the world competed, times were hampered by the wet track.

“The track was really soaked and hard to run on,” said Butch Reynolds, 400-meter world record-holder. “And the humidity was also a problem.”

Reynolds rallied in the final meters to edge Danny Everett and Cuba’s Roberto Hernandez. Reynolds’ time was 44.77.

Roger Kingdom, the world record-holder and two-time Olympic gold medalist, led an American sweep in the 110-meter high hurdles, winning in 13.28. Courtney Hawkins was second in 13.38 and Tonie Campbell third in 13.59.