by Alfonz JuckThe London Diamond League is one of the finest of the Diamond League Meetings of the season. We will have some fine events! Can not wait to watch the meet this weekend.
Dina Asher-Smith, photo by PhotoRun.net
Laura Muir, photo by PhotoRun.net
Mutaz Barshim, photo by PhotoRun.net
Warholm, Barshim, DAH vs SAFP
LONDON (GBR): The traditional Muller Anniversary Games in London Olympic Stadium will be held as usual over two days with lot of action. Solid amount of British interest, mainly Dina Asher-Smith against Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the 100 m or Laura Muir in the 1500 m, men and women 4×100 m teams and Holly Bradshaw in pole vault. Return from injury by Karsten Warholm and Mutaz Essa Barshim are other highlights. What can achieve Christian Taylor is another question. All technical events have the best in the World. After London a nearly one month break in the series will come.
Short event by event
Men
100m – Zharnel Hughes leads the domestic charge as Akani Simbine and Yohan Blake are fastest this season. James Ellington makes his return after his 2017 life-threatening vehicle crash incident.
200m (non-DL): Sub-20 runners Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake and Miguel Francis head the Brits. Mario Burke is fastest in the field this year, while Alonso Edward is looking for his best form.
400m – Can hurdles start Abderahmane Samba improve on his PB of 44.60? Sub-44 performer Akeem Bloomfield, Nathon Allen and Baboloki Thebe seek a return to top form. Matthew Hudson-Smith is late withdrawal.
800m – Nijel Amos will be a big favourite after his world lead in Lausanne. Ferguson Rotich will look to closer after second on that occasion. Emmanuel Korir and Wycliffe Kinyamal also feature.
Mile (non-DL) – Despite the withdrawal of new 3:30 man Charlie Grice, domestic hopes will be high with Chris O’Hare, Jake Wightman and Josh Kerr. World indoor 1500m record-holder Samuel Tefera, Filip Ingebritsen, Vincent Kibet and Nick Willis provide strong international opposition.
5000m (non-DL) – Rhonex Kipruto makes his 5000m debut after his 26:50 in May. Hagos Gebrhiwet (after 10k WL on Wednesday) and Nicholas Kimeli are other favourites. European interest focuses on Jakob Ingebritsen, over this distance for the first time in 2019, Yeman Crippa and Andy Butchart.
110m hurdles (non-DL) – Xie Wenjun, Pascal Martinot-Lagarde, Omar McLeod and Andrew Pozzi are favourites.
400m hurdles (non-DL) – Karsten Warholm could be all on his own. Kyron McMaster and Amere Lattin are next best.
High jump – Mutaz Essa Barshim is in action for just the second time this season. If he is below-par, Ilya Ivanyuk, following recent 2.33m WL, and 2.31m man Majd Ghazal could test him. Mateusz Przybylko is late pull-out.
Long jump (non-DL) – Juan Miguel Echevarria tries to hit the board right this time to produce his first massive jump of the season. Luvo Manyonga and Miltiádis Tentóglou should be the main threats.
Triple jump – Favourite Christian Taylor looks to go further still after his Monaco 17.82m as his meet record is 17.78. Pedro Pablo Pichardo and Wu Ruiting are next best this season.
Discus – Daniel Stahl and Fedrick Dacres are big favourites to fight out the win, with Lukas Weisshaidinger next best in the field. MR 67.82 should go.
4x100m (non-DL) – World champions Britain have two quartets as their rivals include Brazil, Japan, China and Poland.
Women
100m – Can home support push Dina Asher-Smith to a win over world No.1 Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce? Blessing Okagbare tries to back up her surprise Stanford 200m win. Marie-Josee Ta Lou is also there.
200m (non-DL) – Elaine Thompson chases a win, Marie Josee Ta Lou is the main challenger.
400m – Can Salwa Eid Naser win her fourth DL out of five this year? Another close battle with Amina Seyni is expected.
800m (non-DL) – Jamaican Goule goes against group of Brits and Australian Universiade winner Bisset.
1500m – Laura Muir will be the big crowd favourite but is facing numerous challenges – from in-form Konstanze Klosterhalfen, plus Gudaf Tsegay and Rababe Arrafi.
5000 m – Big chance for WL and MR as fresh WR holder Sifan Hassan goes against fresh Ethiopian 10k champion Letsanebet Gidey and World CC champ Hellen Obiri.
100m hurdles – Nia Ali, Queen Claye and Danielle Williams are the key contenders. Janeek Brown is a late withdrawal.
400m hurdles – Zuzana Hejnova should be favourite. Also there are Kori Carter, Janieve Russell and Tia-Adana Belle.
Pole vault – Could be close as Angelica Bengtsson, Ekaterini Steffanidi, Alysha Newman, Holly Bradshaw and Anzhelika Sidorova line-up.
Long jump – World No.1 Malaika Mihambo seeks to make it five wins out of five this year. Brittney Reese tries to make up for Rome third. Britain’s top three in history, Shara Proctor, Lorraine Ugen and Johnson-Thompson, are in action.
Javelin – Christine Hussong looks to follow on from Lausanne win, with Kelsey-Lee Barber also in form and the best on paper this year. Nikola Ogrodnikova and Sara Kolak want also mix.
4x100m (non-DL) – European champions Britain take on Jamaica, China, Poland, Brazil and Australia.
