by Alfonz JuckThe Doha Diamond League was the opener of the 2022 Diamond League season. Big performances in many events.
Women’s 3000m, photo by Diamond League AG
Abel Kipsang, photo by Diamond League AG
Event by event short reviews
Men
200m: Noah Lyles edged out Fred Kerley 19.72 to 19.75, marginally wind-assisted (+2.1). Jereem Richards and Andre De Grasse were third and fourth on 20.15.
800m: Noah Kibet came away in a tactical race with 1:49.08 in his first outdoor meeting outside Kenya. Peter Bol was second in 1:49.35 with Ferguson Rotich and Donavan Brazier well out of contention in fifth and sixth. The winning time was the slowest ever winning time in a DL reportedly.
3000m: Soufiane El Bakkali repeated the Tokyo 1-2 over Lamecha Girma with a world lead 8:09.66 to 8:09.67, both clear of the rest in the home straight and neck and neck.
1500m: World No.1 Abel Kipsang confirmed his good form with a 3:35.70 win over Timothy Cheruiyot (3:36.16) and Tedese Lemi (3:37.06).
400m hurdles: Alison dos Santos surprised Rai Benjamin with 47.24 – the second-fastest time ever in May, a world lead+MR and great under the conditions, pulling away off the final hurdle. Benjamin was on 47.49, a long way in front of the next, Thomas Barr (49.67). Home star Samba was a no-show.
High jump: Woo Sanghyeok set a world lead of 2.33m in his first DL as Mutaz Barshim managed 2.30m for a second. Gianmarco Tamberi was among those to struggle in the world in seventh on 2.20m.
Javelin: With the wind behind them, Anderson Peters went to fifth on the world all-time list with 93.07, also a NACAC record and world lead. A dramatic fifth round saw Peters throw 90.19 then Jakub Vadlejch takes the lead with 90.88 PB before Peters’ heroics at the end.
Women
200m: The wind died down enough for Gabrielle Thomas, who equaled the meet record of 21.98 (+1.3) from Shericka Jackson (22.07) and Dina Asher-Smith (22.37).
400m: Marileidy Paulino sprang a surprise with the win in a wind slowed 51.20, having been challenged by Shaunae Miller-Uibo. The latter was caught by Stephenie-Ann McPherson 51.69 to 51.84.
3000m: After a slow first 2km, 13 were still in contention at the bell and it was down to Francine Niyonsaba and Faith Kipyegon with 200m, the former eventually pulling away for a world lead 8:37.70 to 8:38.05.
100m hurdles: Very tight win for Kendra Harrison in 12.43 (+3.8) over Tobi Amusan and Britany Anderson, both on 12.44.
Triple jump: Greatly wind-assisted started Shanieka Ricketts and Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk, the former winning with 14.82m (+6.5) in the second round, while the world long jumps silver medallist was on 14.73m (+6.3) in her first DL in the event.
Shot: A US 1-2-3 was led by Chase Ealey, who won with 19.51m in the third round, with Maggie Ewan second on 19.32m. Raven Saunders was just sixth with five fouls and an 18.71m.
