by Alfonz Juck
Abdeerhaman Samba, 2018 Doha DL, photo by PhotoRun.net
Rome Golden Gala was a success by any standards. Even during a political crisis in Italy, 25,000 fans showe up in the Stadio Olimpico to see some fine competitions. Samba was the performance of the night as the Qatari hurdler continues to take on all, this time Karston Warholm, who also set a NR taking second! Here’s the play by play for the Rome Golden Gala by our friend, Alfons Juck from EME News.
Samba goes very fast 47.48, best since 2010
ROME (ITA, May 31): Abderrahmane Samba’s Asian record and Diamond League record of 47.48 stood out (also fastest at the distance since 2010) as world leads also went to Ronnie Baker, Timothy Cheruiyot, Conseslus Kipruto, Luvo Manyonga, Hyvin Kiyeng and Mariya Lasistkene in a meeting of exciting contests. In total also 3 meeting records (400 m Hurdles, discus women, steeple women) for 30 000 spectators in nice Italian summer evening and big home interest in fast Filippo Tortu.
Short event by event reviews
Men
100m – Ronnie Baker came out on top of the anticipated showdown with Christian Coleman, running a world lead of 9.93m, after they were close for 90m. Jimmy Vicaut (10.02) and Filippo Tortu (10.03) came past the fading American (10.06) at the end. Tortu enjoyed a great baptism at this level, although he missed Mennea’s national mark of 10.01.
400m – With 44.33, Fred Kerley just held off the blistering finish of Adallelah Haroun (44.37) as both set season’s bests. Paul Dedewo shaved his PB with 44.58 ahead of Michael Cherry’s 2018 best 44.97.
800m – Wycliffe Kinyamal backed up his Shanghai win with 1:44.65 victory in a tight tussle. Ferguson Rotich produced a great finish to almost catch him, eventually second (1:44.74) having passed Jonathan Kitlit (1:44.78).
1500m – Timothy Cheruiyot followed wins in Shanghai and Eugene with a world lead 3:31.22, although not as fast as targeted. Elijah Manangoi was well back on 3:33.79 as Samuel Tefera was third on 3:34.84.
3000m steeplechase (non-DL) – Conseslus Kipruto avenged the surprise Eugene loss to Benjamin Kigen with a world lead of 8:08.40. After 8:10.01 for Kigen, Chala Beyo’s 8:11.22 was a PB as Amos Kirui ran 8:16.44 for fourth. Mekhissi clocked European lead 8:16.97 as fifth.
400m hurdles – Abderrahmane Samba came past Karsten Warholm with a strong finish to clock 47.48 – an Asian record, world lead, Diamond League, meet record and the equal seventh fastest time ever by a non-American. Warholm set a Norwegian record of 47.82 for equal fourth best European ever as these two were well clear. They will clash again in Oslo next week.
Pole vault – Sam Kendricks recovered from an early failure at 5.36m to win it at a third-time 5.84m. Pawel Wojciechowski was second on 5.78m and Raphael Holzdeppe was third with 5.62m, the top three setting season’s bests.
Long jump – Luvo Manyonga’s second-round world lead of 8.58m saw him on top of a great contest with Juan Miguel Echevarria, whose 8.53m PB was notable for second and who had some long fouls. Also good was third place – 8.34m for Ruswahl Samaai.
Discus – Jamaica’s Fedrick Dacres continued his 10-strong 2018 winning streak with a second-round 68.51m, leaving world champion Andrius Gudzius second on 68.17m. Ehsan Hadadi was third with 65.93m.
Women
200m – Marie-Josee Ta Lou added to her two DL wins in 2018 at 100m with a 22.49 win from the fast-finishing Ivet Lalova-Collio (22.64).
400m (non-DL) – The fast-starting Salwa Eid Naser (50.51) rallied to hold off Stephenie Ann McPherson (50.69), who came back over the last half. Both were well clear with season’s bests.
3000m steeplechase – Hyvin Kiyeng won with a world lead and meeting record of 9:04.96 after she and Celliphone Chespol (9:05.14) were neck and neck down the home straight. Emma Coburn, looking good in contention, fell at the last water jump and placed fourth (9:08.13) behind Norah Jeruto (9:07.13).
100m hurdles – Sharika Nelvis won in 12.76 after the in-form Brianna McNeal hit the second hurdle badly and finished well adrift last. Danielle Williams was second with 12.82.
400m hurdles (non-DL): Georganne Moline clocked a season’s best of 53.97 ahead of Janieve Russell (54.08) and Dalilah Muhammad (54.65m).
High jump – Mariya Lasitskene survived a slight early scare as a failure at 1.91m left her second to Mirela Demireva before being the only one clear at 1.97m. Win No.40 in a row as she also cleared 2.02m for the first two-metre jump of 2018 and had three failures at 2.04m, thus no attempt at 2.08m in the world record stadium.
Discus – Stretching her record number of DL wins to 40, Sandra Perkovic needed a fifth-round 68.93m (meet record) to come past Yaime Perez (66.62m) and Denia Caballero was third with 63.48m.
