by Larry Eder
Europe in lead, VCB twice, Barshim lost
MARRAKECH (MAR, Sep 13): As predicted Europe leads after first day of second IAAF Continental Cup with 222.5 points (prediction 230). Second Americas 191 (203) ahead of Africa 164 (149) and Asia-Pacific 137.5 (138). The name of the day was Veronica Campbell-Brown winning 100 m and anchoring Americas to win the relay. Bohdan Bondarenko with 237 beat Ukhov and Barshim. The surprise of the day was the no-height of World leader Fabiana Murer in the pole vault.
Review by group of events
SPRINTS: In the women’s 100m, VCB led throughout to win in 11.08 into a -1.5, Ahye and Schippers closed well (11.25, 11.26). On the men’s side, Dasaolu (10.03, -0.1) looked like a clear winner early, but Rodgers (10.04) and Ogunode (10.04 PB) made it a photo finish. In the men’s 400m, Merrit was put under pressure by Makwala, but he timed his race well to win in 44.60, over Makwala’s 44.84. McCorory ran her 3rd sub 50 of the year, winning the women’s race in 49.94, with a string of fast times behind her; Williams-Mills 50.08, Grenot 50.60, Kabange with Zambian NR 50.87 and Zemylak 51.00 PB. Over 400mH, Culson (48.88) led from the gun, but was closed down by Fredericks (48.34) and a fast finishing Hussein (48.47 PB). Tinsley was never a factor, finishing 7th. In the women’s race, Spencer won commandingly in 53.81, but Child was also fast (54.42) while Adekoya (54.70) was 3rd, despite clattering a hurdle. Americas won both 4x100ms from Europe; 42.44 to 42.98 and 37.97 to 38.62.
DISTANCES: In the 5000m, a front running Koech (13:26.86) sprinted away from Zane Robertson (13:29.27) and Amlosom (13:31.31, debut) in the final 400m. In the 800m, Wilson made the move, but Sum had the kick, winning in 1:58.21 over Wilson’s 2:00.07. Euro champ Arzamasova ran 2:00.31 for 3rd. Sharp couldn’t keep with the leaders on the back stretch. In the 1500m, as in the African championships, also held here, Souleiman edged Kiprop in the final sprint (3:48.91, 3:49.10). Mekhissi-Benebbad ran 3:49.53 for 3rd. G Dibaba (8:57.53) pushed hard with 500m to go in the 3000m and no-one could match her. Bahta was closest with 8:58.48.
JUMPS: In the triple jump, Ibarguen extended her streak with 14.52 (-0.5). A cm separated Koneva (14.27, -0.2) and a consistent Saladukha (14.26, 0.3). Bondarenko is back on top in the high jump, clearing 237 first attempt before trying to match Barshim’s WL. At 234, Ukhov cleared 2nd attempt and Barshim on his 3rd, but neither could go higher. Murer no heighted at 445 in the pole vault, leaving Ling Li to win with 455. She tried, at 466, to break her Chinese record. Zhuk-Krasnova was 2nd with 445. In the long jump, Gaisah jumped 811 (-0.7) for the win over Claye (798, 0.3) and Visser (796, 0.8).
THROWS: In the hammer, Pars was the winner with 78.99. It was El Gamel who was his closest challenger, nearly snatching the win with 78.89 in the competition’s final throw. Fajdek threw 78.05 for 3rd. In the discus, Perkovic was beaten, but not to second, but third. 64.55 was enough for American record holder Lewis-Smallwood to win over Samuels’ 64.39. Perkovic’s best was 62.08 in the final round. The last time she finished worse than 2nd in a final was in 2010. In the shot, Storl had the top 2 putts of the competition. His 21.55 led Richards’ 21.10 and Kovacs’ 20.87. In the javelin, Spotakova’s 65.52 led Viljoen’s 63.76.
