File Photo: Justin Gatlin
The 2014 Diamond League trophy 100m champion Justin Gatlin sped to an astounding world leading 9.74 seconds, in the blue ribband event at the Doha Diamond League on Friday. His time bettered his previous best mark of 9.77 which he achieved in Brussels last September, and now ranks him fifth best on the all time list based on times done over the 100m.
He also snatched the world lead from Jamaica’s Asafa Powell, who had done 9.84 seconds at last week Jamaica International Invitational.
Gatlin time is the fastest since 2012, and is only bettered by his time of fellow American Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt – who currently holds the world record of 9.58 which came in Berlin in August 2009.
Fellow American Michael Rodgers, was second in 9.96, and third-placed went to Keston Bledman of Trinidad and Tobago. St kitts and Nevis veteran Kim Collins Kim Collins 10.03 and Jamaica’s Nesta Carter 10.07 finished 4th and 6th respectively.
In the 200 match up on the night, defending Diamond Race winner, American Allyson Felix, was in cracking form, winning in a world lead and Diamond League record-equalling time of 21.98 seconds. She was trailed home by. Murielle Ahoure (Cote D’Ivoire) 22.29 and Anthonique Strachan (Bahamas) 22.69 seconds.
In the women’s 400m American Francena McCorory turned the tables on her compatriot Sanya Richard- Ross, who got the better of her at the Jamaica International Invitational, to win in modest 50..21 seconds to Richards-Ross 50.79s. Jamaica’s Commonwealth Champion, Stephanie-Ann McPherson was third in 50.93, while compatriot and Diamond League champion from 2014, Novlene Willams- Mills was fourth in 51.28 seconds . Christine Day was sixth in 51.53 seconds.
New hurdling sensation Jasmin Stowers ambushed the 100 hurdles field to win in a personal-best 12.35s and a new Diamond League record. Fellow US hurdler, Sharika Nelvis was home in second spot with a personal best of 12.54.
The 23-year-old Stowers improved her PB and world lead done in Jamaica last week. She turned back a star studded field with the likes of Australia’s reigning Olympic champion Sally Pearson (fourth) and 2014 Diamond Race winner Dawn Harper-Nelson who finished at the back of the field.
Other exciting results on the night came in the men’s 3,000m, which saw Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwet out sprinting one of the world best in Great Britain’s , Mohamed Farah to win in 7:38.08 (Britain). Forah was timed in 7:38.22 seconds.
The men’s 400m Hurdles, saw America’s Bershawn “Batman” Jackson continue his early season dominance winning in 48.09 turning back the challenge of Javier Culson (Puerto Rico) 48.96 3. Thomas Barr (Ireland) 48.99 seconds.
JUMPERS DAY OUT!
While the stars were throwing it down on the track, the field athletes ensured that the attention came their way, as they were hopping, skipping and chopping the sand pits with some huge marks.
In the men’s Triple Jump contest, the new ruler, Cuban Pedro Pablo Pichardo produced a massive 18.06m to keep American Christian Taylor who did an excellent 18.04m at bay. Third spot went to Frenchman, Teddy Tamgho with 17.24m ahead of another Cuban Alexis Copello 17.18m.
Jumper turned sprinter, American Tianna Bartoletta secured victory an exciting long jump competition, winning in 6.99m to beat back Shara Proctor of Great Britain 6.95 who copped second with a British record-equaling jump. The top five was rounded out by Christabel Nettey (Canada) 6.93, Lorraine Ugen (Britain) 6.92 and American Brittney Reese 6.76 m
The men’s Shot Put was won by David Storl (Germany) 21.51 ahead of the American duo of Reese Hoffa 21.30m and, Ryan Whiting 21.06. Commonwealth champion O’Dayne Richards (Jamaica) was 8th with 19.89m.
The Men’s Javelin Throw saw the return of Tero Pitkaemaeki (Finland) 88.62 who led his teammate Antti Ruuskanen 86.61m to second spot ahead of Vitezslav Vesely (Czech Republic) with 83.67m. It was all familiar faces atop the field in the Women’s Discus Throw with Sandra Perkovic (Croatia) 68.10 m getting the better of Germany’s Nadine Mueller 65.13m and Dani Samuels (Australia) 64.45 m.
The next Diamond stop is in Shanghai on Sunday May 17th, 2015
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