EUGENE (USA, Sep 16): Incredible first day of the Wanda Diamond League Final, for the first time outside Zurich or Brussels, was crowned by one of the best one-mile races ever with Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s European record, DL record and third all-time fastest of 3:43.73 and World U20 record for Reynold Cheruiyot (3:48.06). Another DL record for Rai Benjamin (46.39), and world lead also for Winfred Yavi (8:50.66), Yulimar Rojas (15.35), Chase Ealey (20.76), and Christian Coleman (9.83, equaled). Seven ‘Prefontaine Classic’ records and four area records. At the end of the season, athletes still in shape, and the second day is promising another firework of top marks.
Short reviews event by event
Women
100m – Shericka Jackson (10.70/0.8) won the 100m (her first overall DL win at this distance), with Marie Jose Ta Lou second (10.75 =SB), Elaine Thompson Herah third (10.79 SB) and Sha’Carri Richardson fourth (10.80).
1500m – Faith Kipyegon 3:50.72, the fifth fastest in history. Behind 3:53.93 PB for Diribe Welteji and 3:55.16 for Laura Muir, her second fastest and EL. Australian Record also for Linden Hall (3:56.92) with nine runners under 4:00. the Fourth DL overall win for Kipyegon after 2017, 2021 and 2022.
3000m steeple – Winfred Yavi in 8:50.66 WL MR AR again defeated Beatrice Chepkoech (8:51.67), second and third all-time, third Cherotich (8:59.65 PB). She’s the new DL champion.
Pole vault – Katie Moon (4.86m) took the pole vault after jump-off with Tina Sutej, who was second 4.81m NR. New DL champion.
Triple jump – Yulimar Rojas 15.35m (1.2) WL MR won the triple jump ahead of Shanieka Ricketts 15.03 PB (0.0). Third DL overall win in a row for Rojas after 2021 and 2022.
Shot put – 20.76m American Record, WL and MR for Chase Ealey in the shot put, the longest throw in eight years. She also threw 20.61m a PB at the time. Second, Sarah Mitton 19.94 and third, Auriol Dongmo (19.92 PB and EL).
Javelin – Haruka Kitaguchi 63.78 and also 62.76 over Tori Peeters 61.30. New DL champion and first ever DL overall win for Japan.
Men
100m – Christian Coleman (9.83 =WL / 0.1) won the 100m ahead of Noah Lyles by 0.02s, with Ferdinand Omanyala recording the same time in third (his PB outside of Nairobi). Coleman vs. Lyles now 8:4.
400m – Kirani James in 44.30 SB ahead of Quincy Hall (44.44) and Vernon Norwood (44.61). Matthew Hudson Smith did not finish after pulling up injured after 150m. Alexander Ogando was DQ for a false start. For James 4th DL overall win after 2011, 2015, and 2022.
Mile – Jakob Ingebrigtsen missed the World Record in the mile but recorded the third fastest time in history with 3:43.73, European Record, WL, DRL, MR. A close race with Yared Nuguse, who broke the American Record with 3:43.97. A series of PBs and NRs behind. Third was George Mills at 3:47.65, third fastest Brit behind Cram and Coe. A World U20 Record for Reynold Cheruiyot 3:48.06 and a European U20 Record for Niels Laros 3:48.93. Spanish, Dutch and French National Records were set.
3000m steeple – Simon Koech 8:06.26 over Samuel Firewu 8:10.74 in the KEN vs ETH battle. Koech is new DL champion.
400m hurdles – Rai Benjamin won the 400m hurdles in 46.39, his second fastest time and the fourth fastest in history, also WL and DLR, ahead of Karsten Warholm in 46.53, his fourth fastest. It is the first time in his career that Warholm has lost consecutive 400m hurdle races. Those times also move Kevin Young’s former longstanding World Record out of the top ten fastest performances. McMaster third in 47.31, total 7 sub 48 sec. First DL overall win for Benjamin.
High jump – Sanghyeok Woo 235 =NR ahead of Norbert Kobielski 233 PB (came into competition with 228 PB) and JuVaughn Harrison 233. It was the first DL title for Woo and the first DL title for Korea.
Triple jump – Andy Diaz 17.43 (0.1) over Hugues Fabrice Zango 17.25 (-0.3) and defended his DL title.
Javelin – Jakub Vadlejch 84.24 and 84.01 over Neeraj Chopra 83.80 for third overall DL title after 2016 and 2017.
2 Yared Nuguse 3:43.97 AR
Always remember that “AR” after the result in global results stands for Area Record. So ‘the Goose’ ran an “AR” – NACAC (North American, Central American and Caribbean) Area Record – which is also and obviously, an American Record. But, an “AR” is even greater than ‘just’ a “NR”.
Thanks Peter for reminding us of this!