Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (right) finished fourth in 11.17 seconds in the women’s 100 metres at yesterday’s Brussels Wanda Diamond League meet. The race was won by American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (centre) in 10.76, while her fellow American Sha’Carri Richardson (left) took second in 11.08.
NATIONAL RECORD holder Ralford Mullings maintained his outstanding form in the men’s discus yesterday, claiming victory at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme Wanda Diamond League in Brussels, Belgium – the final meet before next week’s grand finale in Zurich, Switzerland.
Coming off a massive personal best and national record of 72.01 metres last week in Ramona, Oklahoma, the University of Oklahoma student, making his Diamond League debut, threw 69.66m to win. He outperformed a tough field and delivered Jamaica’s sole Diamond League triumph on the day. Lithuania’s world record holder Mykolas Alekna was second with 68.82m, while Slovakia’s Kristjan Ceh placed third at 67.13m. Olympic champion Roje Stona finished seventh with 65.67m.
Mullings was thrilled following his impressive display.
“It’s my first Diamond League win. I didn’t get past 70 metres, but just making it to the podium is a great feeling. I’ll take that. This was my first meet in Europe and it was a new experience – something to adjust to with travel and getting settled,” he said.
There was another Jamaican win, though it came outside of the Diamond League main events. In the men’s 400m Invitational, defending world champion Antonio Watson clocked a season-best 44.89 seconds to take top honours. Belgium’s Dylan Borlée was second in a personal best 44.94, while his compatriot Jonathan Dacoor ran 45.39 for third.
In his final race before the World Athletics Championships in Japan, Watson was satisfied.
“It was a solid race. Everyone got out strong, just like we expected. I stuck to my plan and I’m happy to get in another good run,” he said.
On a day when many Jamaicans had a rough outing, high jumper Romaine Beckford delivered a solid result, clearing 2.22m for third place. Ukraine’s Oleh Doroshchuk won the event with 2.25m, the same mark cleared by Belgium’s Carmoy Thomas, who secured second on countback.
Veteran sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce continued to face challenges in Europe. After a poor start in the women’s 100m, she couldn’t recover and ended up fourth in 11.17 seconds. America’s Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, ranked number one in the world, stayed unbeaten with 10.76. Defending world champ Sha’Carri Richardson was second in 11.08, with Great Britain’s Daryll Neita third in 11.15.
In the women’s 400m hurdles, Andrenette Knight placed fourth in 54.50. The USA’s Anna Cockrell won in 53.66, with Panama’s Gianna Woodruff second in a personal best 53.89. Belgium’s Naomi Van Den Broeck finished third in a national record 54.12.
In the women’s triple jump, Olympic silver medallist and national champion Shanieka Ricketts finished fourth with a jump of 14.29m. Ackelia Smith was seventh with 13.97m. Cuba claimed the top two spots – world leader Leyanis Pérez Hernández won with 14.78m, and Davisleydi Velazco was second with a personal best 14.72m. The USA’s Jasmine Moore secured third with 14.38m.
In the women’s shot put, Danniel Thomas-Dodd placed fifth with a best of 18.92m. The USA’s Chase Jackson took the win with 20.90m, followed by Canada’s Sarah Mitton, who finished second with 19.89m.
Be the first to comment