The FBK Games recieved a makeover this year. Focusing on eleven events, with a strong focus on rivalries, the new owners of the FBK Games, Global Sports Communications, did a fine job. Getting more fans to the meet, keeping them enthused and selling the sport are key.
Luvo Manyonga, photo by PhotoRun.net
Some fine races, with Jenny Simpson leading 13 women under 4:30 in the mile and a world leader was a good start. Mariya Lasitskene winning her 41rst HJ victory and setting a World leader with her 2.03 meter clearance, and three attempts at 2.05 meters.
A fine long jump with Luvo Manyonga, who had three fouls, then, on his final jump, took the lead, with an 8.18 meter leap, to leapfrog over Jeff Henderson (8.15m) and Marcus Dendy (8.13m).
Dafne Schippers won the 200 meters, to the delight of her home crowd, ending the meet on a near perfect note! FBK Games will be on my bucket list for 2019.
A superb streaming video program for FBK this year! It is not like being there, but fine coverage this year!
Hengelo experiences successful edition FBK Games ‘new style’
More spectators, more spectacle, better performance
It was warm and the sun was exuberant at the end. The organization of the FBK Games also looked back at the 37th edition, which was different than before: fewer disciplines, more spectacle. The 11 disciplines were arranged as real battles, where possible around Dutch toppers such as Dafne Schippers and Nadine Visser. Unquestionably, ‘Hengelo’ this year was an international showdown of size with numerous personal records and top performances. In addition to athletics, there was also a lot of entertainment: a halftime show with sparkling music, kids runs, a NN Running Team Challenge, a food court around the stadium and next to the Dutch microfonists also the best English speaker in the field of athletics. The program started with the first copy of the Fanny Vijfje by Dafne Schippers. In addition to the state secretary of finance, Fanny Blankers junior was present, the daughter of Fanny.
In terms of performance, there was a lot to enjoy. The audience had to wait until the final piece for the only Dutch victory, but that was for no less than audience favorite Dafne Schippers. She won her 200 meters with a street length ahead of her competitors (22.44), Jamile Samuel ran an excellent 22.91. Just before that, Liemarvin Bonevacia ran the European Championship limit with 45.77 out of 400 meters. Haroun from Qatar ran a stadium record with 44.35. Extremely high level was the 110 meter hurdles with Shubenkov as the winner in 13.23; Koen Smet ran 13.78 despite a knee injury. Churandy Martina ran his the 200 meters in 20.85, Hensley Paulina 21.02. South African Adams won the race in 20.34. Jenny Simpson won the mile in the best world time (4.25.71), Sanne Verstegen came to 4.29.11 and Maureen Koster 4.32.08. Spectacular on the 400 meters women with a track record of 50.88 for the American Wimbley and a personal record for Madiea Ghafoor (51.60) who approaches the Dutch record of Ester Goossens. Lisanne de Witte joined the athletes with an EC-limit (51.84). Bram Som was the pacemaker for Kenyan Kitilit, who won in a top time in the 800 meters: 1.43.77. The job disciplines started with the 100 meter hurdles in which Nadine Visser confirmed her high level with a third place (12.94). Olympic champion Brianna McNeal won in 12.66. World champion Sam Kendricks won the pole vault with 5.81 meters. Rutger Koppelaar was fourth with 5.55m. Menno Vloon did not exceed 5.30m. High jump women was just like last year prey for the Russian Mariya Lasitskene. Her 2.03m is the best world-year performance and her 41st consecutive victory, an absolute record in athletics.
Many athletes radiated and were delighted with the ambiance. Even Isaac Makwala was present in Hengelo and did some push-ups with many-leap winner Manyonga (8,18m), something Makwala made a furore during the World Cup in London.
