by Larry Eder
Yego and his drama
BIRMINGHAM (GBR, Jun 7): Fifth IAAF Diamond League of the season ended with a drama in men javelin and accepted best throw in the World since 2006. In the race of the day Tarmoh won the 200 m. MR was registered in women discus and WL in men 300 m apart of javelin. Spectators were happy to see Rutherford in top shape and winning.
Event by Event
Men
100m: Bracy won in a PB of 9.93 (2.0), even though he suffered a hamstring issue during the race. Gemili ran his first legal sub 10, running 9.97, but then hurt his hamstring after the line. Rodgers was also under 10, running 9.97. Kilty improved to 10.05 in 5th. Vicaut did not start the final after looking like he picked up a slight injury in the heat.
300m (non-DL): Wayde Van Nierkirk was clearly the best, although he tired in the closing stages while Chris Brown finished strong for second. The winning time of 31.63 was a WL and new African record. Brown’s 31.99 was a Bahamian record.
800m: Kszczot tried to put Amos under pressure, but the Botswanan was just able to hold the Polish athlete off, winning in 1:46.77.
1500m (non-DL): Magut hit the front with 100m to go and left everyone else behind to win in 3:37.61. Lagat ran 3:41.87 for 8th and a world masters record.
5000m: Isiah Koech stretched out the pack, with Longosiwa following. The two gapped the rest of the field and Longosiwa easily pulled away in the final lap to win in 13:07.26 to Koech’s 13:11.22.
110mH (non-DL): Ortega came through late to take the win in 13.20 (1.5). Darien timed 13.25 in 2nd.
LJ: Rutherford is on form, his 835 (1.7) equalled his second best jump ever and is a European lead. Next best was Mike Hartfield (823, 1.4), while Britain’s Dan Bramble also impressed with 817 (1.0).
TJ: Christian Taylor’s response to Pichardo was 17.40 (0.7) in the third round. Compaore went over 17 for the first time this year with 17.01 (2.0).
JT: There was drama in the javelin, as Yego responded to Vesely’s 6th round effort of 88.18 by launching the javelin out to 91.39. But, the Kenyan’s throw was not originally counted as officials ruled it out of bounds. However, after a protest the throw was made official. It is an African record, Diamond League record, World lead and the best throw since 2006. Walcott also improved his national record, throwing 86.43 in third.
Women
200m: The race of the day, in which three athletes were nearly inseparable. Tarmoh got the nod this time against Felix, as they both clocked 22.29. 19 year old Asher-Smith improved to 22.30, the second fastest time ever by a British athlete. She also took the EL from Schippers.
400m: Stephanie Ann McPherson won as expected, with 52.14, nobody else gave her anything to worry about.
800m (non-DL): Sum led throughout and powered away from the pack in the final straight to win in 1:59.85. Muir and Jozwik moved right through the field in the last 100m to take 2nd and 3rd respectively in 2:00.42 PB and 2:00.74.
1500m: Hassan won in an impressive front running performance. Aregawi tracked her for most of the race, but tired in the last 250m and lost contact. Hassan finished with 4:00.30 over Aregawi’s 4:01.97.
Steeple: Nyambura (9:24.01) continues her breakout season, getting the better of her Rome vanquisher Kiyeng (9:25.20).
100mH: Not a good week for Stowers, as she got disqualified after being set off by Rollins who twitched beside her after some noise in the crowd. Harper Nelson went on to win in 12.58 (1.5) over Rollins (12.63) and Porter (12.65).
400mH: Spencer was never really challenged, she won in 54.45. Hejnova continued her comeback with a SB of 55.00 in third.
HJ: Licwinko had to take three attempts at 194, but then made 197 in her first attempt to take the win. She took three attempts at 200, but couldn’t make it. Seven athletes made it to 194, with Kasprzycka and Kuchina the only others getting over.
PV: Four athletes attempted 472, but only Murer could clear it. The Brazilian tried at 482 but wasn’t successful. Saxer (462) and Sidorova (462) were joint 2nd, with Kiriakopoulou (462) 4th.
DT: Perkovic threw 69.23 in the first round to secure the MR, no-one else came close. As in Rome, Dani Samuels was the best of the rest, she recorded 64.89.
SP: Schwanitz had 5 valid throws and all would have been enough to win. Her best was 19.68.
