by Alfonz Juck
David Rudisha, photo by PhotoRun.net
Rudisha 1:43.35 WL, Simbine 9.89 NR
SZEKESFEHERVAR (HUN, Jul 18): What a edition of 6th István Gyulai Memorial (EA Classic). Olympic winner David Rudisha won the 800 m in World leading 1:43.35 over country-mates Jonathan Kitlit 1:44.16 and former WL holder Nicholas Kipkoech 1:44.90. Another special mark in men 100 m was the new South African record by Akani Simbine 9.89 (+1.9) over Asafa Powell who with 9.92 clocked his 96th sub 10. Mike Rodgers third 10.12 and Kim Collins fourth 10.13. Simbine confirmed his special form with 200 m improvement later in the evening with 20.16 (+0.7) beating Isiah Young 20.24 and Greek Lykourgos-Stefanos Tsakonas 20.34. Olympic winner Kirani James remains unbeaten this year with 44.60 win over Tony McQuay 45.08. Sensational improvement for Donald Thomas after 9 years with 237 clearance in high jump over Bohdan Bondarenko 235 and Majed Aldin Ghazal 231. Home wins for Balazs Baji hurdles 13.33 (+1.2) after World leader Omar McLeod again after Monaco crashed out and Zoltan Kovago 67.13 in discus over Daniel Stahl 66.92 PB. Another Hungarian joy as Anita Marton improved her national record in women shot put to 19.49. But it was enough only for fourth place. Valerie Adams 20.19 (her 2016 best) with Christina Schwanitz 20.14 and Michelle Carter 19.56 were the top three. In terms of doubling Blessing Okagbare won windy 100 m 10.92 (+2.6) but was only 5th in long jump 634 (+0.4) whereas Tianna Bartoletta ended 3rd in 100 m 11.02 but won long jump 680 (+0.3). Second places for Marie-Josee Talou in 100 m 10.95 and Shara Proctor in long jump 671 (0.0). World champion Pawel Fajdek scored another clear hammer win with 81.11. Olympic and World winner Veronica Campbell-Brown scored 22.52 (+1.0) 200 m win over US sprinters Shalonda Solomon 22.63 and Tiffany Townsend also 22.63. Rio bound Nia Ali topped hurdles 12.76 (+1.8), fresh from national record in Monaco Francine Niyonsaba clocked 1:59.84 to win the 800 m ahead of Molly Ludlow 1:59.99. Remaining winners at 400 m hurdles Japan´s Keisuke Nozawa 49.26 and Ukrainian Hanna Titimets 55.15 and Silas Kiplagat in the 1500 m 3:36.70.
