The Indoor Meeting in Karlsruhe was an amazing, simply, an amazing meet, and it was in a pandemic!
Nine out of twelve wold leads in the meet, and many athletes were competing in their opening event in 2021. The meet was held with 199 fans, per German Covid 19 regulations. (Eurohalle seats about 4000-5000).
Thanks to EME news on this piece!
Renaud Lavillenie, clears 5.95m WL, photo by Andreas Arndt
Lavillenie 595 meet record, World leads in 9 out of 12 events
KARLSRUHE (GER, Jan 29): World Indoor Tour Gold started on a high note in the Europehalle of Karlsruhe. Despite no spectators in 9 from 12 events World indoor leads 2021 were set. Also three more European leads and two meet records, not only Lavillenie but also Dongmo. Dina Asher-Smith clocked World lead twice.
Event by event short review
Men
Mavin Schlegel wins the 400m, photo by Andreas Arndt
400 m: Marvin Schlegel was quickest overall with an indoor PB 46.61. Second Thomas Jordier 46.68 with strong finish. Indoor king Pavel Maslak won the other race in 46.99 coming from behind.
800 m: Despite a fast first lap (24.41) and slowdown, Elliott Giles had a clear win in the 800m with a world lead 1:45.5 (hand-timed). Benjamin Robert won the battle of the French against Pierre Ambroise-Bosse, 1:46.3 to 1:46.4 in second and third.
3000 m: Bethwell Birgen dominated the 3000m with a 7:34.12 world lead, finishing with a 29.51 final 200m. Mohamed Katir (Moroccan who represents Spain since 2020), with 7:35.29 EL took nearly nine seconds off his outdoor PB as he beat Jimmy Gressier (7:39.70 PB) into third.
60mH: Wilhem Belocian took a dominant win in the 60m hurdles with 7.49 from Aaron Mallett second (7.59). Belocian was faster in heats with 7.48 EL and PB. Martinot-Lagarde injured in heats.
PV: Renaud Lavillenie continued on from his 5.92m season-opener with a 5.95m world lead and meet record in first attempt. With first-time clearances at 5.62m, 5.80m, 5.88m and the winner, he beat Matt Ludwig into second.
LJ: Juan Miguel Echeverria had the best long jump of the year so far with 8.18m in the first round. His country-mate Maykel Masso was second with 808 indoor PB and third as top European Miltiadis Tentoglou 805.
Women
Katharina Trost winning the 1,500m, photo by Andreas Arndt
60 m: Dina Asher-Smith equalled her PB with 7.08 in her first indoor competition for three years. She bettered her own world lead set in her heat by 0.03. Orlann Ombissa-Dzangue was second with 7.16.
1500 m: Katharina Trost came through late to win with a world lead of 4:12.02. Winnie Nanyondo was second with 4:12.36.
3000 m: World steeplechase champion Beatrice Chepkoech won a close 3000m with a world lead 8:41.98, beating Fantu Worku (8:42.22). Third Briton Melissa Courtney-Brown EL 8:42.41.
60mH: Nooralotta Neziri took a surprise win in the 60 hurdles with a Finnish record and PB by 0.05 of 7.92. Tobi Amusan was second with 7.94 and fastest in heats Nadine Visser third 7.96.
TJ: Liadagmis Povea achieved a world lead and indoor PB of 14.54 in only her second indoor competition. That came in the second round and she had two other jumps better than the best of second-placed Kristiina Makela, 14.13m.
SP: Auriol Dongmo set a Portuguse overall record, meeting record and outright PB of 19.65m in the shot. Her second-round effort and her 19.14m in the sixth were both beyond the world lead. Fanny Roos was second with a Swedish record of 18.64 and PB for third Briton Sophie McKinna 18.46.
