The Weltklasse Zurich Diamond League Meet held in Switzerland on August 29, 2019 produced some very good performances, showcasing some of the best talents in the world of track and field across 16 events.
Jamaica’s Shaneika Ricketts surprised many to win the women’s triple jump with a personal best 14.93m. On her final jump, she produced 14.77 to win the Diamond League trophy. Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela who leads the world with 15.11m, was beaten into second place with 14.74m and Liadagmis Povea of Cuba finished third with 14.49m. Kimberly Williams, the other Jamaican in the final, finished a disappointing 7th with a mark of 14.10m.
A galaxy of stars
The much anticipated women’s 200m had a galaxy of stars, and produced mixed results and feelings. First, the Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo produced a personal best and world leading time of 21.74 seconds, to disconnect and destroy a quality field. The field included the likes of reigning double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson; reigning and two-time 200m World champion Dafne Schippers; reigning Commonwealth 200m champion, Blessings Okagbare and the fast-rising star, Dina Asher-Smith.
Indeed, it was an awesome and emphatic victory for Miller-Uibo, and one cannot but rue the thought of her not competing in the 200m at the upcoming Doha World Championship. I do believe she would have pushed the boundaries way back if she was to compete in the 200m in Doha. Notwithstanding Miller-Uibo’s absence in that event, the women’s 200m will provide great fireworks and super-fast times.
Lyles victorious
The men’s 100m saw the new turfs competing against the old guards for bragging rights going into Doha. The twenty-one-year-old American and heir apparent, Noah Lyles turned the tables on fellow countryman, Justin Gatlin, to win the event in 9.90 seconds. Zhynye Xe of China was second in 10.04, and Yohan Blake of Jamaica was third in 10.07. Justin Gatlin was relegated to fourth in 10.08. However, one cannot but pay keen attention to Yohan Blake whose confidence and performance are definitely on an upward path.
The performance of the meet
But, perhaps the performance of the meet came in the men’s 400mH, where the Norwegian Karsten Warholm continued his rich vein of form, to win the event in an amazing time of 46.92 which is the second fastest time in history, next to the American Kevin Young, who posted 46.78 some 27 years ago at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. In second position was Rai Benjamin of the USA, who tracked Warholm closely for practically all of the race but had to settle for the runner-up position in an impressive 46.98, the third fastest time ever, which he now shares with three other athletes. Kyron McMasters was third in 48.58.
In the men’s high jump Protsenko Andriy of the Ukraine won by clearing a height of 2.32m. The Australian, Brandon Starck took the runner-up spot clearing a height of 2.30m, while the Bulgarian Tihomir Ivanov had to settle for third clearing a similar 2.30m but with more attempts at that height.
McLaughlin and Lagarde secured victories
The women’s 400m hurdles was another great event that saw the facing off between three Americans in the reigning Olympic champion and world record-holder, Dalilah Muhammad, the in-form Sydney McLaughlin and Shamier Little. Mclaughlin posted a fantastic time of 52.85 to win the event, while Shamier Little was second in 53.86, and Delilah Muhammad was third in 54.13. Now based on the form and times posted, it is going to be very difficult to dislodge any one of these Americans from a podium finish. The seasoned campaigner Jamaica’s Janieve Russell finished in a disappointing seventh position in 55.87.
In what was considered an ordinary lineup, the Frenchman Martinot Lagarde, posted 13.51 to win the men’s 100m hurdles, with David King and Cameron Fillery both of Great Britain, finishing second and third, in 13.58 and 13.74, respectively. Michael O’Hara of Jamaica was fourth in 13.79.
Other Events
In the women’s 400m final the Bahraini, Eid Salwa Naser did not disappoint, winning in 50.24, ahead of the American, Shakima Wimbley, who posted 51.21, and the Dutch, Lissane De White, who posted 51.30. Jamaica’s Stephanie-Ann McPherson in 51.90, finished in sixth position.
In the men’s 800m the American, Donovan Brazier, stopped the clock in 1:42:70, to finish ahead of the Botswanan Nijel Amos and Canadian Brandon McBride, who posted times of 1:42:98 and 1:43:51, respectively.
Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands won the women’s 1500m in 3:57:08 ahead of Konstanze Klostherhalfen of Germany (3:59:02) and Gabrielle Debues-Stanford (3:59:59).
Sam Kendricks of the USA leapt 5.93m to win the men’s pole vault, while Armand Duplantis of Switzerland, was second in 5.83m. The Polish, Piotr Libek, and the American, Cole Walsh, were tied for the third place with a similar 5.83m leap.
In the men’s long jump, the Cuban Juan Miguel Echevarria won with a jump of 8.65m. The South African Ruswahi Samaai was second with a jump of 8.20m while Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle was third with 8.20m.
Magnus Kirt of Estonia took top honours in the men’s Javelin with an 89.13m throw, while Chao-Tsun Cheng of Taipei was second with a distance of 89.05m. Andreas Hoffman of Germany was third with a throw of 87.48m.
The women’s Javelin throw was won by China’s Huihui Lyu with a distance of 66.88m while the Australian Kelsey-Lee Barber was second with a distance of 64.74m and Nikola Ogrodnikova of the Czech Republic was third with a distance of 63.05m.
China, the USA and Germany, respectively, were the podium finishers in the women’s shot put. Lijao Gong with a distance of 20.31m finished with top honours. In second position, was Chase Ealey with 19.68m, and in third position, was Christina Schwartz with 19.37m.
Henley Taylor (Sensenya Ben Nyah), Sportswriter & Analyst.
Ben Nyah is a track and field enthusiast who has covered track and field for over 30 years. A graduate of Kingston College, Ben Nyah has interviewed athletes and analyze their performances. He has covered not just local Jamaican track and field athletes, but international athletes. His photogenic memory coupled with his analytical approach to the sport has led to lively and passionate perspectives of the sport.
Shaunae Miller-Uibo picture courtesy of Joe Swift Photography
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