byStuart Weir
Abdeerhaman Samba soaking in the accolades in Doha, photo from Doha DL LOC
Here’s the lead story from Stuart Weir on the highlights of the Doha Diamond League. Stuart Weir knows what you are interested in: the highlights, the curious and the moments of clarity. We have some amazing athletes in our sport and Stuart Weir wants you to know about them.
A sideways look at the Doha DL
Performance of the night
Sandra Perkovic (Croatia) won the women’s discus with a World Lead, Meeting and Diamond League record of 71.38
Team performance of the night
The first five athletes in the women’s 100 metres who finished under 11 seconds
Shock of the night
Christian Taylor jumping 17.81 in the triple jump and losing to Pedro Pablo Pichardo (17.95)
Disappointment of the night
Hellen Obiri is one of the athletes I admire more on the circuit. Tonight the World Champion in the 5000m came 14th (out of 16 runners) in the 3000m
How to lose with grace award
Jointly Christian Taylor and Dawn Harper-Nelson
After finishing second in the triple jump, Taylor said: “I feel wonderful. I’m very surprised by the result, but will take it as a chance to learn from the experience. I’m happy I finished the competition healthy, and will always keep smiling”. Not a pout, sulk or scowl in sight.
Harper-Nelson hit a hurdle in the 100h race and finished last. She smiled, signed every autograph and posed for every selfie. A class act.
Golden oldie
Bershawn Jackson second in the 400h: “I’m thirty-five years old, so it’s a great blessing to be here and able to participate. This is my last season, and I’d like to end it on a good note”.
Best newcomer
Jereem Richards (Trinidad) running his first DL race came second in the 200m
Best late-comer
Jack Green woke up 2 days ago wondering why there were six missed calls on his phone. They all said: “Can you run in Doha?”
Dignity award
I have been watching Castor Semenya since 2009. Of course there are issues to be resolved but Castor has behaved with dignity throughout. Tonight she ran the 1500m in 3:59.92, setting a South African record, smiled, held her prize flowers at every conceivable angle for photographers and then gave then to someone in the crowd.
Most popular win
Abderrahmen Samba (Qatar), who delighted the home crowd with win in the surprising time of 47.57
History repeating moment
Steven Gardiner winning the 400m and then collapsing – as he had done in 2017.
Parents’ night
Mutaz Essa Barshim’s mother and Christian Taylor’s father were watching
Sportsmanship
When winner of the women’s pole vault, Sandi Morris, failed in her attempt at 5.01, the stadium big screen showed Holly Bradshaw and Katie Nageotte (second and third) looking more disappointed than Sandi. The camaraderie of the vaulters.
The unanswered question of the night
When the high jump was over, Mutaz Essa Barshim, grabbed the bar and ran round with it. Then he gave it back. Will he do what he said in the press conference – demand every bar over which he jumps 2.4m?
