by Larry EderThe Sainsbury’s Birmingham Indoor Grand Prix has a reputation for great performances, and a standing room only crowd. The two mile world best by Genzebe Dibaba of 9:00.48, with a split of 8:24.85.
Genzebe Dibaba, setting WIR for 3,000m, February 7, 2014,
photo by DECA Text & Bild
GENZEBE THIRD ALL-TIME BEST, AMAN AFRICAN RECORD
BIRMINGHAM (GBR, Feb 15): Huge all-time world indoor best by Genzebe Dibaba over 2 miles in last event was the highlight of Sainsbury´s Indoor Grand Prix (IAAF Permit) before the sellout crowd. She clocked her third all-time best in 14 days, this time improving the 9:06.26 of Meseret Defar from Praha 2009 to 9:00.48, her 3000 m split was 8:24.85. World champion Mohamed Aman won the 800 m in African record and third all-time performer mark 1:44.52. Second Andre Olivier of South Africa 1:44.99 and third Adam Kszczot 1:45.19 European leader and fourth Briton Andrew Osagie 1:45.22 PB. Dramatic 60 m final had James Dasaolu winning in 6.50 with injured hamstring over Nesta Carter 6.53, Kim Collins 6.55 (6.53 in heats), Dwain Chambers 6.56, Richard Kilty 6.57 and Jimmy Vicaut 6.58 in top field. But in heats world leads were registered. In first Vicaut 6.48, also equaled his best and in second Dasaolu even faster 6.47. Out in heats European champion Christophe Lemaitre with 6.69. Another sensation out in heats Moscow World champion David Oliver after 7.73, winner Pascal Martinot-Lagarde 7.55 ahead of Sergey Shubenkov 7.57 and Garfield Darien 7.58. Andrew Pozzi after 7.57 in heats was only 6th 7.72. Also women AOY of 2013 Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce lost in the 60 m but in a close race and very solid time 7.10 to world leader Murielle Ahoure also 7.10. Third Asha Philip 7.12 with fourth Dafne Schippers 7.17. Briton Nigel Levine won the 400 m in 45.71 over Olympic medalist Luguelin Santos 46.08. In women 400 m Regina George of Nigeria clocked third fastest of the year 51.78 over Kaliese Spencer in her indoor 400 m debut 52.14 (too fast first 200 24.08). World leader Nadine Hildebrand in 8.04 beat home star Tiffany Porter 8.07. In longer races Ethiopians outkicked Kenyans, Hagos Gebrhiwot after Boston another fast 3000 m in 7:35.73 ahead of Dejen Gebremeskel 7:36.53 and Yenew Alamirew 7:37.10 just over top Kenyan of the day Augustine Choge 7:37.11. In the 1500 m Nixon Chepseba said a word to Sopot selection 3:37.19 over Homiyu Tesfaye who runs for Germany and improved to European lead 3:37.35. Third Marcin Lewandowski Polish indoor record 3:37.37. Excellent depth in women 1500 m where Scottish revelation Laura Muir clocked third fastest of the year and big overall PB 4:05.32 over Sifan Hassan 4:05.34 Dutch record and PB´s for Yelena Korobkina 4:05.78 and Hellen Obiri 4:05.82. In the 800 m Angelika Cichocka won in 2:01.60 over European indoor champion Natalia Lupu 2:02.14. In four technical events US Olympic medalist Erik Kynard improved his indoor PB to 234 (and tried at 237) in the high jump, World champion Aleksandr Menkov with 814 beat Chinese Li Jinzhe 812 indoor PB and Olympic winner Greg Rutherford 800 cm in season opener in the long jump. Home star Holly Bleasdale cleared as only one 471 and tried at World lead 477 in the pole vault. Long jump had German winner Sostene Moguenara with 649 leap.
