by Stuart Weir
Morgan Lake, high jump, photo by Getty Images/British Athletics
The second day of the London Diamond League featured some fine field events. Here is Stuart Weir’s thoughts on three of the outstanding field events over the weekend.
Women’s field
Sandra Perkovic (Croatia) had only one legal throw in the discus but as it was 67.24, it was enough to win the competition and keep her at the top of the Diamond League points table. Perkovic was clearly delighted with her evening’s work, commenting: “I’m so happy that I won here because this is my favorite stadium to compete in. In 2012 London was where my career started in front of this crowd. At the European Championships I want to turn up and show that I am the one to beat and I feel in great shape”.
Sandra Perkovic, photo by PhotoRun.net
If Day 1 had an excellent women’s long jump, day 2 took us to a higher level – literally. Mariya Lasitskene, won the high jump competition with a world leading 2.04m, of which she said: “I felt very strong after today. Everything went really well and I feel in good shape. I have the power to keep going forwards and going higher. The next step for me is preparation for the European Championships. It was a surprise for everyone that Elena jumped 2.02m but I thought that I would have to push myself higher to stay on top”.
Mariya Lasitskene, photo by PhotoRun.net
Elena Vallortigara, whose previous PR was 1.96m shocked everyone by clearing 2.02m. Her assessment was: “This was my first time in London and the UK and ever since I arrived here I had really good feelings. I am happy because at the beginning of the competition I didn’t feel very good, but then jump after jump my technique improved and I am so happy”.
Elena Vallortigara, photo by PhotoRun.net
Britain’s Morgan Lake was third.
Morgan Lake, photo by Getty Images/British Athletics
