by Alfonz Juck
Duplantis 610 WL, Karalis 594 NR
BERLIN (GER, Feb 14): Mondo Duplantis opened the season style. The pole vault super star cleared in first attempt first WL 602 and then in second attempt another WL 610, also a meet record. He then twice tried at World record height 627. Second Emmanouil Karalis achieved in second attempt 594, another Greek indoor record and had good attempts at would-be overall NR 602. The top spectator number of the indoor season 12 100 at ISTAF Indoor (WIT Silver) is always something special. And the crowd was satisfied as Olympic winner Yemisi Ogunleye won women shot put 19.42. Another German win in men 60 m as Heiko Gussmann clocked 6.57, equaled European indoor U23 record and PB from heats as star Akani Simbine also got 6.57 and third Kevin Kranz with fourth Lucas Ansah-Peprah both 6.61. More home wins for Rebekka Haase (fastest of the day 7.24 in heats) over Lisa Mayer in women 60 m, both 7.26. Also in women 60 m hurdles Merlene Meier 7.92 PB ahead of Rosina Schneider 8.01 and Hungarian Anna Toth 8.03 PB. In women long jump Mikaelle Assani 671 just ahead of Plamena Mitkova 670 (656) and Pauline Hondema 670 (650). With using the take-off zone, Mitkova 685, Assani 680 and Hondema 673. Swiss record holder Jason Joseph was the best in men hurdles 7.63 edging Omar McLeod 7.65 and Manuel Mordi 7.67.
