by Alfonz Juck
Renaud Lavillenie, photo by PhotoRun.net
ALBI (FRA, Jul 8): Pole vault world record-holder and 2012 Olympic champion Renaud Lavillenie was among the winners on the final day of the French Championships. He cleared 5.80m at the first attempt, while Axel Chappelle was second on 5.50m. World 800m champion Pierre Ambroise-Bosse took the French title, placing second behind Sammy Kirongo of Kenya (1:46.21 to 1:46.66). Kirongo was also second in the 1500m in 3:44.69 behind Alexis Miellet (3:43.77). Olympic fourth-placer Pascal Martinot-Lagarde won the 110m hurdles in a windy 13.33 from Darien Garfield (13.35). Floria Guei set a season’s best of 51.52 to win the 400m. Carolle Zahi completed the sprint double with a windy 22.92 in the 200 after a legal 23.14 in the semi-final. Jeanine Assani-Issouf, with a 14.43m PB, won the triple jump and went to third on the 2018 European list. Good hammer wins came from Quentin Bigot (74.23m) and Alexandra Tavernier (73.72m). Former world bronze medallist Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad clocked 8:33.59 to win the steeplechase as 2014 European champion Yoann Kowal was only fourth in 8:35.71. Second was Djilali Bedrani (8:35.27) and third Hicham Sigeuni (8:35.62). Ludvy Vaillant won the 400m hurdles in 49.04, while Kafetien Gomis took the long jump with 8.13. Men’s sprints titles went to Meba Mickael-Zeze (200m in 20.33w) and Christopher Naliali (400m in 46.23). Shot put winners were Frederic Dagee (20.01m) and Jessica Cerival (16.70m). Other winners were Elodie Normand (1500m: 4:16.20), Aurielle Chaboudez (400m hurdles: 56.52), Lolasonn Djouhan (discus: 59.84m) and Kenyan Matthew Sawe (high jump: 2.22m).
RunBlogRun opines: The French Championships is one of my favorite meets. I have attended it twice. Nice to see so much support for the meet and how some of the French stars are coming into shape.
