by Larry Eder
EME NEWS (MAY 9, 2014) UPDATE
UKHOV 241, SUPER MIDDLE DISTANCES
DOHA (QAT, May 9): 5th IAAF Diamond League started on a high note as the Doha 2014 (31-33 degrees, 40-50 percent humidity) brought 8 world leading marks and 4 new meet records. Full capacity watched historic competitions in terms of depth in men 1500 m, women 3000 m and men high jump.
Event by event review
MEN
200 m: Ashmeade beat Weir in a surprise outcome here 20.13 (-0.2) to 20.31 and third home Ogunode 20.38 over Ndure 20.43 EL.
400 m: Merritt ruled and equaled his own world lead 44.44, then close fight Al-Masrahi coming from USA 44.77 just edged Maslak who opened the outdoor season right with NR and EL of 44.79.
800 m: Aman who was a late addition won at the end in big fight against WJR holder Amos by 0.05 (1:44.49 and 1:44.54). 8th Osagie 1:46.09 EL.
1500 m: First ever sub 3:31 for 6 runners in one race, the fastest early season time ever (before July) and World lead and meet record for in-shape Kiprop 3:29.18. Kiplagat 3:29.70, Djibouti record for Souleiman 3:30.16 and PB for Oly winner Makhloufi 3:30.40, Magut PB 3:30.61 and NR for Wote of Ethiopia 3:30.86. European lead for Ozbilen 3:32.09 as 8th.
Steeple: Kemboi ruled 8:04.12 WL and hopes for even faster race in Rome. More favorites followed B. Kipruto 8:04.64 and Kipsiele 8:05.47.
110mH: Oliver clearly in 13.23 against a slight breeze -0.5. Shubenkov for European top place beat Pascal ML 13.38 EL to 13.42.
HJ: The technical event of the day. First time ever in high jump history in or out 4 cleared 237 and more. Russian flyer Ukhov cleared as only one 241, Russian record, world lead, meet record and best May jump ever (also equaled DL record). The others were close, Kynard tried 239 and 241, Drouin and Barshim were out at 239, but for all more is possible.
LJ: Tsatoumas won the centimeters was 806 (-1.0) over World medalists Rivera 804 and Gaisah 801.
DT: Malachowski opened the season with solid 66.72 win clearly over all other rivals (2nd best mark 2014).
WOMEN
100 m: Shelly-Ann had to fight against Okagbare 11.13 and 11.18 (-0.8).
800 m: Reigning World outdoor champion Sum in WL 1:59.33 beat reigning World indoor champion Price 1.59.75. Surprise third Czech Masna 2:00.20 EL.
3000 m: The female race of the day with African and DL record for Obiri 8:20.68 (also MR and WL). Only six Chinese marks from National Games in 1993 are better in the history. Series of PB: M. Cherono 8:21.14, Kipyegon 8:23.55, Kibiwot 8:24:41, Ayana 8:24.58. The favorite G. Dibaba sixth 8:26.21 still outdoor PB but felt heavy and could manage.
400mH: Kemi Adekoya a Nigerian who runs for Bahrain since this year was another surprise winner from lane 1 in 54.59 NR and WL. Second Kaliese Spencer 55.07. Briton Child 55.43 third EL.
PV: Second Greek win of the day for Nikoleta Kiriakopoulou 463 EL over favorite Silva 453.
TJ: Ibarguen continues in winning streak (12) with WL and MR 14.43 (-0.7). Good second Saladuha 14.32 EL (0.0).
SP: This is even bigger winning streak (47) for Adams 20.20. Second Leantsiuk 18.78 EL
JT: First ever Slovenian DL win from all events by Martina Ratej 65.48 EL ahead of WL holder Mickle 65.36 and African record holder Viljoen 64.23.
