by Alfonz Juck
Mitton 20.68, Mihambo 707
KARLSRUHE (GER, Feb 7): Two excellent World leads headlined the 40th edition of the INIT Karlsruhe Indoor meet (WIT Gold, sold out 3500 spectators). First Olympic winner Malaika Mihambo leaped to 707 WL/ML in the fourth attempt. First 7+ jump of the year and a 1 cm improvement of Heike Drechsler´s meet record from 1994. Good second Mikaelle Assani 679. In the women’s shot put, World Indoor Champion Sarah Mitton hit a massive 20.68 in the last round.
Not only WL/MR/NReq but also the best women’s shot put result indoors since 2013. Second, by jury decision, was Jessica Schilder at 20.09 (her result was initially listed as foul), third World champion Chase Jackson at 20.06, and Olympic winner Yemisi Ogunleye at fourth at 19.49. On the four-lane track, the excellent meet record by US Brian Faust was 46.03 in the 400 m, improving the mark 46.11 by Thomas Schonlebe from 1990.
Close to WL was South African Prudence Sekgodiso with 1:59.88 800 m win (indoor NR), followed by Majtie Kolberg with 2:00.84. Alice Mangione was fast in women’s 400 m with a 51.75 Italian record over Bassant Hemida’s 52.17 indoor NR for Egypt. In the second race, Lina Nielsen 51.93 over Martina Weil 52.40 NR for Chile. After the national mile record in Ostrava, Samuel Pihlstrom from Sweden won the 1500 m and missed his NR only by 0.15 with 3:35.62. Federico Riva second 3:36.78 over Romain Mornet 3:37.03 PB. Excellent finish. Stefan Nillessen won the 3000 m in NR for the Netherlands at 7:37.10, followed by Mathew Kipsang at 7:38.00 PB and Mike Foppen at 7:38.20 PB. Wilhelm Belocian won the 60 m hurdles in 7.53 (7.51 in heats) and Patrizia Van der Weken the 60m after a good start, 7.13 ahead of Gemima Joseph in 7.15 PB and Geraldine Frey in 7.16. Lomi Muleta was the best in women 3000 m 8:57.52. In pole vault drama, Molly Caudery, with her last attempt, cleared 475 (did not continue) and won over Tina Sutej 470 and Marie-Julie Bonnin 465. Alysha Newman did not jump due to stomach problems.
