by Alfonz Juck
Sandi Morris, photo by PhotoRun.net
Morris clears five meters
BRUSSELS (BEL, Sep 9): The jubilee 40th edition of AG Insurance Van Damme Memorial was a special one. World lead and top result five meters in women pole vault with world record attempts after 10 pm. All that by Sandi Morris. Ayana and Kipruto tried but the season is long. But not for Semenya or Forte who showed improvement and specially for Thompson who equaled the meet record in women 100 m. From three Belgian events one brought the win, by Thiam in high jump.
Event by event
Men
200 m: Great race with Julian Forte setting a PB of 19.97 to edge out Adam Gemili who was also given a PB of 19.97. Churandy Martina third in 19.98. Edward was before the race the DR winner for third time in a row.
400 m (non-DL): Luguelin Santos clocked 45.02 ahead of Jonathan (45.55), Dylan (45.61) and Kevin (45.67) with Watrim fourth close to PB.
800 m: Adam Kszczot came from first to last in the last 100m to win in 1:44.36 ahead of Kipyegon Bett (1:44.44) and Amel Tuka (1:44.54). Diamond Trophy for Ferguson Rotich who was fourth.
1500 m: Big surprise with Timothy Cheruiyot taking two seconds off his PB with 3:31.34 ahead of Abdelaati Iguider (3:31.40) and Asbel Kiprop (3:31.87) who gets the trophy for 3rd time after 2010 and 2015.
3000 m SC: No WR but Conseslus Kipruto completed an unbeaten Diamond League season in 8:03.74 ahead of Evan Jager (8:04.01). And wins the trophy too for second time after 2013.
110 m H: Orlando Ortega 13.08 to confirm the Diamond race ahead of Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (13.12 SB).
Long jump: Luvo Manyonga 8.48m PB (and 2nd best 2016) to comfortably beat Fabrice Lapierre (8.17m, he gets the trophy).
High jump: Erik Kynard 2.32m to defeat Mutaz Essa Barshim and Robbie Grabarz on countback. And wins the Diamond Race.
Discus: World-leader Daniel Stahl confirmed top form with 65.78m ahead of world champion Piotr Malachowski (65.27m, 4th Diamond Trophy win) and surprise of the season Austrian Weisshaidinger.
Women
100 m: Fourth sub-10.8 clocking in succession with Elaine Thompson equalling Fraser-Pryce’s MR of 10.72 ahead of Dafne Schippers (10.97). She also gets the trophy.
400 m: On her DL debut over one lap, Caster Semenya produced a strong last 50 metres to clock a PB of 50.40 ahead of Courtney Okolo (50.51) and Stephenie-Ann McPherson (50.51, DR winner).
5000 m: No WR but Almaz Ayana ran under 8:30 for the last 3km to win in 14:18.89 MR (and Diamond Race) ahead of Hellen Obiri (14:25.78). Shannon Rowbury fifth in a US record of 14:38.92. Six of the top eight with PBs.
100 m H (non-DL): Jasmin Stowers 12.78 ahead of home favourite Anne Zagre (12.82).
400 m H: Season’s best of 54.47 for Cassandra Tate ahead of Sara Petersen (54.60). And that decided the trophy as Doyle was only 5th.
High jump (non-DL): Olympic heptathlon champion Nafissatou Thiam cleared 1.93m to defeat three jumpers on countback.
Triple jump: Caterine Ibarguen 14.66m in the last round to claim another win and and fourth Diamond Trophy in a row.
Pole vault: Performance of the night with Sandi Morris clearing 4.88m and 4.94m on her first attempts before clearing 5.00m to join Isinbayeva and Suhr in an exclusive club. Also WL, US outdoor record, meet record and Diamond League record. Outdoors five only by Isinbayeva six times. Stefanidi second 476 and had the trophy already before today.
Javelin: Madara Palameika capped off fine DL season with a Latvian record of 66.18m to defeat Barbora Spotakova (63.78m) and got the trophy.
