Canadian decathlete Pierce LePage wins silver at World Athletics Championships
CBC
Canada's Pierce LePage has captured the country's fourth medal at the World Athletics Championships after winning silver in the decathlon on Sunday night in Eugene, Ore.
It's his first world championship medal and he did it with a personal-best score of 8,701.
LePage put together three consecutive personal-best performances in the 400 metres, 110m hurdles and then in the discus event to put him in second spot going into the 1,500m.
His time of 4:42.77 in the final event was good enough for second spot overall in the decathlon.
"It's hard to put into words. I feel I've come so close before; I've always ended up just missing it," LePage told CBC Sports.
"Today that obviously didn't happen. I opened up with two amazing personal bests. I wasn't really expecting it. After day one I wasn't broken, I could finally compete again. It feels good to do a decathlon and feel healthy."
WATCH | Pierce LePage captures silver at athletics worlds:
World record holder Kevin Mayer of France, after strong performances in pole vault and javelin, was able to hold on in the 1,500m to win gold. His final score was 8,816. It's his second world title.
American Zach Ziemek won bronze with a final score of 8,676.
WATCH | LePage reflects on winning silver:
LePage had the lead going into the final two events, but despite a season-best throw in the javelin of 57.52 metres, he fell behind Mayer going into the last event.
LePage was able to maintain his lead just an event earlier by clearing 5.00m in the pole vault — an event he enjoys.
"You train all day, every day, all the time. Pole vault is my favourite event. It's pretty rewarding to jump in the air."
Earlier Sunday, LePage was brimming with confidence.