Overall, the Jamaicans performed with distinction at the 2019 London Diamond League, producing a few personal bests and season's bests. The women were particularly impressive, outperforming their male counterpart across virtually all events, with one notable exception being the men's 400m in which Akeem Bloomfield was outstanding.
Danielle Williams record run
Things got off to a frenetic pace when the Jamaican and 2015 World Champion, Danielle Williams, posted a world-leading and national record time of 12.32 in the women’s 100m hurdles, having lowered her pervious personal best time of 12.43, to 12.41, in the semifinals. Williams winning time of 12.32 seconds erased the old mark of 12.40 set by Janeek Brown in June at the 2019 NCAA Track and field championship. Incidentally Williams winning time of 12.32 seconds makes her the seventh fastest woman in history.
In the men's 110m hurdles, reigning Olympic champion Omar McLeod recovered from a poor start and a poorly negotiated first hurdle, after the initial race was recalled, to finish third in 13.32. The event was won by Xie Wenjun of China, in 13.28. Also, Wilhelm Bellocian of France, was accredited with the same time for second place.
McLeod attributed his loss to the initial false start that threw him off his race plan, and from which he was not able to regroup and recover.
Jackson and Bloomfield victorious in the 400m
In the women’s 400m, it was a competitive and close finish over the last fifty to forty meters, between the Jamaican pair of Shericka Jackson and Stephanie-Ann McPherson, and the Britain’s Laviai Nielsen. In the end, Shericka Jackson prevailed in a time of 50.69. Stephanie-Ann McPherson was second in 50.74, while Laviai Nielsen was third in 50.83. Jackson is positioning herself as one of Jamaica’s most capable quarter-miler having ran a lifetime best 49.78 seconds at the Jamaican senior trials on June 23.
The men’s 400m provided much firework as was expected. Jamaica's Akeem Bloomfield, who had failed in his bid at the Jamaica National Junior and Senior Trials, to secure a place at Qatar, in the 200m, was the toast of the event, posting 44.40. The tall and powerful Bloomfield used his speed endurance in the homestretch, to humble and defeat his rivals. Jonathan Jones of Barbados was second in 44.63, a national record, while Nathan Allen was third in 44.83
Elaine Thompson takes the 200m
There was much anticipation in the women’s 200m, as the Jamaican double Olympic Champion, Elaine Thompson, lined up against a quality field that included her compatriot Sashalee Forbes, the Ivorian, Marie Jose Talou, the Swiss, Mujinga Kambundji and the Britton, Beth Dobbin. Thompson acquitted herself well in a smart time of 22.13, to defeat Marie Jose Talou and Beth Dobbin, who stopped the clock in 22.36 and 22.50, respectively. It was clear for all to see, that, Thompson is getting much stronger, and with her 100m speed, will prove a handful for all contenders.
Fraser-Pryce Sizzles
Having missed out on the 2017 World Championship, to give birth to her son (Zion), Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has been very active and consistent this year, over the 100m, reeling out a string of sub 10.80 performances, since the Jamaica National Junior and Senior Trials, where she stopped the clock in 10. 73. In what was the final track meet of the evening, Fraser-Pryce delivered a command performance, to defeat Dina Asher-Smith and Marie Talou. Fraser-Pryce stopped the clock in 10.78 to Asher-Smith’s 10.92 and Talou’s 10.96.
On Saturday, Natasha Morrison, Elaine Thompson, Jonielle Smith and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce teamed up to win the Women's 4 x100m, that pulled out the best in Fraser-Pryce on anchor. Jamaica won that event in 42.29, ahead of Great Britain (42.30) and China (42.71).
Clayton gets first Diamond League win, Blake finishes third
Probably the biggest surprise of the meet, was Jamaica's rising star, Rushell Clayton’s defeat of the CZECH, Zuzana Henova for her first Diamond League victory. The Jamaican posted a lifetime and season’s best time of 54.16, to take the victory. Henova was second in 54.33, while the Barbadian, Tia Adana Bell was third in 54.54. Clayton has shown steady improvement over the past few months having posted 56.95 at the JAAA All Comers Meet, Kingston on May 25.
Yohan Blake was third in the men's 100m in 9.98 behind the South African Akani Simbine (9.93) and the British representative, Zharnel Hughes (9.97), respectively. One can only hope that Blake rounds into shape as the World Championship approaches. Apart from these two that finished ahead of him, Blake must also focus his attention on Christian Coleman, Noah Lyles and Justin Gatlin.
Fedrick Dacres threw 67.02m for second place in the men's discuss. The Swede Daniel Stahl won the event with a 68.56m effort.
Henley Taylor (Sensenya Ben Nyah), Sports Analyst and Writer
Zharnel Huges picture courtesy Source Athletics (Nick Reid)
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