The sprint hurdles, the 100 meter hurdles is the toughest event to break into in all of womens' athletics. For an American, good luck, as theire are 8-10 athletes at any given time in the U.S. who can climb onto the podium.
Stuart Weir is writing about the 100 meter hurdles. Truth is, I never assign stories to Stuart Weir, Justin Lagat, David Hunter, or Paul Halford. They are professional writers, and I do not compromise creativity. It has worked out for some time now, and I like the lack of restrictions it provides. They normally chat with each other, work out topics if need be, and it works.
Stuart Weir is right, it is all about the race won, and performing in that nano second. The 100 meter sprint hurdles require complete focus and attention for 12 and one half seconds!
It did this time...
Women's 100 hurdles, by Stuart Weir
The women's sprint hurdles is arguably the most competitive event in the Diamond League program - competitive and unpredictable. In the 2016 Olympics, the USA had a clean sweep of the medals
Gold - Brianna Rollins
Silver - Nia Ali
Bronze - Kristi Castlin
Of the three, only Castlin was in the field in Zὕrich. The world record holder, Kendra Harrison, was also absent having ended her season. Despite that, Castlin had 4 compatriots in the final with her - Jasmin Stowers, Dawn Harper-Nelson, Sharika Nelvis, and Christina Manning, all of them capable of being in the shake-up.
Veteran, Sally Pearson, the 2012 Olympic gold-medallist, had surprised many people by putting the fast younger generation in their place by winning the London 2017 title, fully fit again after a horrendous injury. She did it again in Zὕrich, but only just. Pearson's time was 12.542 to Sharika Nelvis' 12.543 - a victory margin of one thousandth of a second.
Pearson said afterwards: "This is my first time to be a Diamond League champion. I am really excited. I crossed the finish line first, it was tough. This race was competitive and fast. I almost fell over, I wanted it so badly. I had to work really hard for it. I am so proud for what I achieved this year, e.g. coming back etc. It has been an amazing year. As long as I believe in what I can do, everything is ok. The others do not know who Sally Pearson is. Tonight I am world champion and Diamond League champion".
I remember Jenny Simpson telling me that her Diamond League crown meant as much to her as any medal as a world or Olympic medal only proved that you were the best in one race; being Diamond League champion proved that you were the best over a series of races throughout the year. Of course the new format 2017 of the Diamond League now makes it a one-off race.
Having won the World Championship and the Diamond League this year, Pearson is the undisputed champion in the 100 hurdles. She has won the two most important races of the year. That said,
Keni Harrison won the Doha, London and Monaco Diamond League races and has the World lead.
Sharika Nelvis has a win, two seconds and two thirds in 2017 Diamond Leagues
And the margin of victory in Zὕrich was only a thousandth of a second.
Pearson is the undisputed champion - but only just.
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