by Larry Eder
Europe clear winners
MARRAKECH (MAR, Sep 14): Europe won the 2nd IAAF Continental Cup with great 447.5 points (prediction 466) ahead of Americas (390 – 409), Africa (339 – 306) and Asia-Pacific (257.5 – 259). During second day before little bit more crowded stadium Europe won half of the events (10), Dawn Harper-Nelson clocked the only one meet record, Americas women (3 Jamaicans and 1 US) the only one world lead at 4×400 m and shot put star Valerie Adams did not compete after all due to health issues.
Review by group of events
SPRINTS: In the 100mH, Harper Nelson’s CR of 12.47 (0.7) and Porter’s NR of 12.51, was the result of a race long battle between the two, the others were over 13.00. In the 110mH, Shubenkov (13.23, 0.1) led from start to finish, but Ash and Sharman (both 13.25) closed him down on the line in a tight finish. In the women’s 200m, Schippers’ win (22.28, 0.3) was never in doubt, but Atkins (22.53) and Soumare (22.58) were closing at the end. On the men’s side, 0.002 seperated Edward and Dwyer, who raced neck and neck down the home straight. Both clocked 19.98 (19.972, 19.974), a PB for Dwyer. In the women’s 4x400m, a very strong America’s team (Day, McCorory, McPherson, Williams-Mills) set a WL of 3:20.93 over Europe’s 3:24.12. The men’s Americas team went from 2nd to 4th with short sprinter Kim Collins stepping in on 3rd leg, leaving Europe to duel with Africa; Van Niekerk held off Rooney (3:00.02 to 3:00.10).
DISTANCES: In the women’s 3000mSC, Ayalew kicked with 400m to go, but Coburn (9:50.67) closed the gap and put pressure on Ayalew (9:51.59) who then clipped the last barrier and stumbled badly. In the men’s race, Birech beat Jager in the sprint, 8:13.18 to 8:14.08. In the women’s 1500m, no one could match Hassan’s finishing speed. Her 4:05.99 led a fast finishing Rowbury (4:07.21). In the slow starting men’s 3000m, Ndiku (7:52.64) had the best finishing speed. Ibrahimov (7:53.14) was his closest challenger. In the women’s 5000m, Ayana was in a league of her own; her 15:33.32 was well ahead of Chepkirui’s 15:58.31 PB and a charging Pavey’s 15:58.67. In the men’s 800m, Amos beat Aman for the 6th time this year, 1:44.88 to 1:45.34; with Kszczot edging English, 1:45.72 to 1:45.74.
JUMPS: Compaore improved his PB by 2cm to win the men’s triple jump with 17.48 EL (-0.1), over Mokoena’s NR of 17.35 (0.2). Claye was 3rd with 17.21 (0.5). In the women’s long jump, after three fouls, Euro champ Lesueur leaped 666 (-0.4) in the final round to win over third round bests by Spanovic (656) and Bartoletta (645). Kuchina won the high jump with 199 on her second attempt, and tried to join the world leaders at 201. Lowe jumped 197 SB and Simic 195. Lavillenie was a clear winner in the men’s pole vault, his opening height of 565 first attempt was enough, but he added 580 and then failed at 590.
THROWS: In the women’s hammer, Wlodarczyk threw the best 3 marks of the competition; her 75.21 led Bingson’s 72.38. In the women’s shot, Adams was a DNS as a pain-killing injection for a groin injury hit her nerve, leaving her hands numb. Schwanitz recorded 20.02 (and 19.94, 19.92) to win over Carter’s 19.84 SB. Ihab won with 85.44 in the men’s javelin, from Vesely (83.77), Walcott (83.52) and Yego (83.06), with Ruuskanen 8th. Kanter would have won the men’s discus with his 3rd best throw. His best of 64.46 won over Fernandez’ 62.97.
Stats (by Ken Nakamura)
Hammer 75.21 is the second longest WHT in history of Continental/World Cup and winning margin of 2.83 m is the biggest in the history of the event. Best 4×400 m relay splits by Isaac Makwala 43.9 and Stephanie McPherson 49.72. Interesting to note Kim Collins replacing injured Luguelin Santos in the men 4×400 m with 47.22. 9:50.67 in women steeple is the slowest winning time in history of the event. Jager won first silver at 3000mSC for Americas since Henry Marsh did so in 1985. Harper-Nelson is the second hurdler to win (after Sally Pearson) both Continental Cup and Olympics. Lagat became only the second runner to win multiple medals at 3000m in Continental/World Cup. 22.28 by Schippers is the fastest non-GDR European time at the event. Best marks for place at men 200 m for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th were set. 64.46 by Kanter is the shortest winning throw. Ihab won first gold for Africa in javelin at this competition.
