by Alfonz Juck
Wilhelm Belocian, 2021 European Indoor 60m hurdles champion, Torun, photo by European Athletics
Wilhelm Belocian opened the 2022 season with a fine 7.57 for the 60 m hurdles at the Meeting Elite de Mondeville, France earlier this evening, Feb. 9, 2022. Belocian is the defending champion at the European Indoor 60m hurdles. He is one of the talented crew of French hurdlers whose fans dream of huge success for them in Paris 2024.
Belocian 7.57 opener, Charleston 6.54
MONDEVILLE (FRA, Feb 9): European Indoor champion Wilhelm Belocian opened with fast 7.57 and a win at 60 m hurdles at the Meeting Elite de Mondeville (WIT Bronze). Second Rafael Pereira of Brazil equaled his South American record 7.58, third US Jarret Eaton 7.60 and fourth Wellington Zaza with Liberian record 7.61. US Cravon Charleston posted fast 6.54 (equaled his PB) in the 60 m over Arthur Cisse 6.57 with Kenyan record holder Ferdinand Omanyala this time fourth 6.68 (but 6.66 in heats). Kenyan Daniel Simiyu won the 3000 m in meet record 7:42.93 beating Melkeneh Azeze who is 17 years old Ethiopian with 7:42.95 what is 2nd best ever U18 indoors. Jacob Wooten won pole vault with 575 and Rouguy Diallo beat powerful field in women triple jump with 14.24 meet record. Leyanis Perez was second 14.15 over Olympic medalist Patricia Mamona 14.13 and Liadagmis Povea 14.06. In shape Briton Emily Borthwick cleared meet record 192 in high jump and another British win for Ama Pipi in the 400 m 53.89. Men 400 m went to Mazen Al-Yassin from Saudi Arabia 47.11, women 60 m for Trinidad´s Michelle-Lee Ahye 7.24 and hurdles for home Laetitia Bapte 8.09 (but 8.08 in heats) ahead of US Evonne Britton 8.10 (but 8.07 in heats). Netsanet Desta from Ethiopia won the 1500 m in 4:10.32 with Ireland´s Sarah Healy improving her national U23 record to 4:10.83.
