by Larry Eder
Bartoletta 693 WL, Bondarenko tried 246
MARRAKECH (MAR, Jun 8): The 7th Meeting International Mohammed VI (IAAF World Challenge), held in Marrakech instead of the usual venue of Rabat, saw a World lead in the long jump by former World champion Tianna Bartoletta, who jumped 693 (+0.2) PB to beat Funmi Jimoh (674) and Olga Kucherenko (670). World champion Bohdan Bondarenko again attacked a new World record 246, taking three unsuccessful attempts, after clearing a MR of 239 (also African All-Comers record) on his second attempt. Ivan Ukhov was better than Rome, making 233 on his third attempt. African junior champion Dawit Seyaum, 17, ran an incredible 3:59.53 MR, which is also a new Ethiopian Junior record. Behind her was Russia’s Anna Shchagina in 4:05.58 PB. World champion Mohamed Aman sprinted past Abubaker Kaki in the 800m to win in 1:45.58 to 1:45.61. Jamaican Simone Facey set a MR of 22.70 (-1.0) to win the 200m while Russian Dmitriy Tarabin threw a 81.27 MR on his 4th attempt. In the 400mH, the favourite Georganne Moline hit the last hurdle, leaving the way clear for South Africa’s Wenda Theron to win in a PB of 54.82, with Tiffany Williams 2nd in the same time, and Hanna Titimets third in 55.49 SB. Lolo Jones won the 100mH in 12.74 (-0.6) over Kristy Castlin (12.81) with Nia Ali 4th (13.21 SB). Kim Collins won the 100m in 10.13 (+1.6) over Femi Ogunode (10.14), who went on to win the 200m in a MR 20.16 (-0.5). Jason Livermore ran 20.28, also ran under the old MR. Belarus Mariya Arzamasova won the 800m in 2:00.71 over US Molly Beckwith-Ludlow (2:00.91) and Malika Akkaoui (2:01.13). Morocco’s Sadik Mikhou could celebrate early and was the big surprise of the 1500 m in beating Ilham Ozbilen (3:34.36 to 3:34.76). Yassine Bensghir and Aman Wote were joint 3rd 3:34.80, Abdelaati Iguider only 9th. Valerie Adams won as expected and her winning streak continues, this time with 19.69 (49th win a row). The women’s hammer was won by German Kathrin Klaas 73.30 over Sultana Frizell 73.21. Hiwot Ayalew ran 9:24.11 in steeple over junior Ruth Chebet in 9:27.90. Clemont Kemboi (8:18.73) won the men’s race. Albert Rop ran 13:13.45 to edge out Morocco’s Ifan Fifa, who ran a PB of 13:14.89, over 5000 m. Muktar Edris was13:30, Merga 13:41. Tosin Oke won the triple in 16.62 (2.7), with Nelson Evora jumping a legal 16.62 but losing on countback. World Indoor champion Lyukman Adams struggled to 5th with 16.38.
