by Larry EderThe Herculis Monaco EBS Meeting is one of the finest of the summer. Even with heat, humidity of late July in Monaco, the meet produced seven World Leads, including the events: High Jump Men, Steeplechase Men, 1,500 meters Men, 800 meters Men, Steeplechase women, 200 meters Men, and 400 meters women.
Here’s our thoughts on those world leaders.
Herculis Monaco EBS, photo by Stuart Weir
High Jump, Men, Danil Lysenko equalled the World Lead, set by Mutaz Essa Barshim, of 2.40 meters. Lysenko told the media:
“It was first big step in the special territory. Next ones should follow. For example in Berlin at European Championships. But Im not sure what would be needed for a win, but I want that gold medal. Monaco was sensational, will never forget. The most important thing was today that with my coach Zagorulko we corrected some issues in my technique and it brought the result. Specially with my approach and how I was coming into and over the bar.”
Did someone say 2.40m? What about a world lead? Or a #MonacoDL meeting record? Danil Lysenko achieved it all this evening
ðŸ“½ï¸ check out his clearance here: https://t.co/yZtNXftVTW pic.twitter.com/mxoWlrpPdA
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) July 20, 2018
3000 Meter Steeplechase Women, Beatrice Chepkoech, 8:44.32. A brilliant and exciting run, where Beatrice was all on her lonesome for the last three and one half laps. Running nearly even the entire way, three kilometers in 2:55, 2:55, 2:54, Chepkoech looked well within herself. She says she wants to run 8:40. That seems possible!
Monaco: Chepkoech Breaks Steeplechase World Record #DiamondLeague #MonacoDL #RoadToTheFinal #WorldRecord @MeetingHerculis https://t.co/QTXjhxJovP pic.twitter.com/6yJH4OrN1J
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) July 20, 2018
400 meter Women, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, 48.97, Shaunae Miller Uibo surged to the lead just after 300 meters, and pushed the hammer down, over the last fifty meters, running the 9th fastest time EVER for a women over 400 meters, and fastest time since 2009. Salwa Eid Naser ran 49.08 for second. A wonderful race, and epic race, without the steeple, could have been race of the night!
Monaco: Miller-Uibo Goes Sub-49 #DiamondLeague #RoadToTheFinal #MonacoDL @MeetingHerculis https://t.co/3GRMJeWpSr pic.twitter.com/1RPb9i6YZc
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) July 20, 2018
3000 meter Steeplechase, Soufianne El Bakkali, 7:58.15. What a brilliant race. El Bakkali and Evan Jager battled on, and Jager finished in second in 8:01.02. El Bakkali noted the following to the media:
“C’est la deuxieme fois que je suis ici a Monaco et c’est incroyable d’avoir franchi ces 8 minutes, le lievre etait a la hauteur, le public etait incroyable, toutes les conditions etaient reunies mais je n’en reviens pas! La je pars pour les Championnats d’Afrique et ensuite pour la Coupe Continentale!
Its the 2nd time Im here in Moaco and its incredible to break the 8 minutes! The pacemaker was great, the public was incredible, all the conditions were united but i still cant believe it! Now Im heading for the African Championships and then to the Continental Cup!”
Evan Jager was disappointed:
“Im not satisfied. I wanted to break 8 minutes. I felt I m in 7.55 shape. During the race it was pretty good, all was ok but to go in front in last 1k took a toll on me at the end. But this is the year for fast times, no championships for me. I m not sure where could be next fast race, and I also I need to talk with my coach.”
Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali went sub 8 to win the 3,000m steeplechase at the #MonacoDL, kicking away from @EvanJager
Full results: https://t.co/vFn6PsT9dR pic.twitter.com/1tMSb5j8f9
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) July 20, 2018
Men’s 1,500 meters, Timothy Cheruiyot, 3:28.41, The London silver medalist has won his races in 2018 and he continues. In this amazing race, Timothy lead 11 men under 3:33. Timothy has a wonderful finish, full of speed and guts. He noted this to the media:
“It was a great race for me, I planned that attack for my personal best and World lead. It was clearly my target and it all worked as I wanted. Great feeling. Now I need to think how can I break 3.28. It could be through improving my finishing kick. Monaco has great track that is for sure. The ultimate goal this year is to defend my Diamond League title.”
1500m man @tim_cheruiyot showed his rivals a clean pair of heels this evening as he kicked clear to win the #MonacoDL 1500m in a world leading time
ðŸ“½ï¸ race video: https://t.co/NytAF2y5iG pic.twitter.com/sOvIU0fg4w
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) July 20, 2018
Men’s 800 meters, Nijel Amos, 1:42.14. Remember Nijel in 2012, where he chased David Rudisha in the London Olympics? After a few tough years, Nijel joined Mark Rowland, the fine coach at Nike Oregon Track Club, (a 3:52 mile and Olympic steeple medalist last year at this time. Nijel is back. His run was brilliant. His final stretch run, which reminds this writer of a very engaged Joe Cocker (late British singer), with much movement and pain. But, Nijel persisted, and won!
200 Meter, Men, Noah Lyles, 19.65! Noah took the lead, as he does, over the last fifty meters and ran away from the field. He wanted a PB and he got it! Noah has been running fantastic 200 meter races this season as well as some fine 100 meter races.
Rapper ☑ï¸
Dancer ☑ï¸
Consistent #DiamondLeague winner ☑ï¸Check out @LylesNoah world leading run at #MonacoDL here: https://t.co/qODMgkLddD pic.twitter.com/GoLyCZFaFR
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) July 20, 2018
