Nothing less than a Meeting record (MR) was expected from USA’s Justin Gatlin, and the former 100m Olympic champion didn’t disappoint, erasing arch rival Usain Bolt’s two-year MR of 9.76s at the Olimpico Stadium, venue of the Rome Diamond League.
The American began to dominate the race from 20m and remained unstoppable, clinching his fourth victory in Rome after clocking 9.75s. The former DOUBLE world champion also ran a World Lead (WL) of 19.68s in Eugene only last week, and also leads the world in the 100m, with a Personal best (PB) of 9.74s, which he posted in Doha.
Coming in 2nd place was Frenchman, Jimmy Vicaut, while Michael Rodgers finished 3rd, with both athletes clocking 9.98s. Going by his blazing form since 2014, athletics fans will be yearning for a clash between Gatlin and Bolt prior to the World Championships, but it remains to be seen if their wishes will be fulfilled.
Fans who were expecting another comeback in the women’s 200m from world champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce were disappointed as the Jamaican pulled out from the race at the last minute, citing a minor injury as her reason for missing the event.
The ‘Pocket Rocket’ is listed for the Birmingham Diamond League this Sunday, but it’s unclear if she’ll be fit enough to go against world leader in the event, Allyson Felix. Taking the race was USA’s Jeneba Tarmoh who won in 22.77s, leaving the Jamaican duo of Kerron Stewart (22.88s) and Simone Facey (22.91s) to settle for 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Greece’s Lykourgos-Stefanos Tsakonas won the men’s event with an impressive time of 20.09s, while former European DOUBLE sprint champion, Christophe Lemaitre finished 2nd in 20.28s, as USA’s Harry Adams followed in 20.32s. Great Britain’s Chijindu Ujah took 4th with a PB of 20.47s.
The women’s 400m was keenly competed but it was world No.3, Francena McCorory who took the day in 50.36s, while Commonwealth champion, Stephenie-Ann McPherson pursued relentlessly, returning a time of 50.53 while another American, Natasha Hastings clocked 50.67s to finish 3rd.
One of the most anticipated races of the evening, the 100m Hurdles ended in an anti-climax as two of the favoured athletes failed to finish the race, throwing up USA’s Sharika Nelvis as the surprise winner with a Personal Best (PB) of 12.52s; 2014 world leader, Dawn Harper-Nelson followed in 2nd with a Season’s Best (SB) of 12.59s, while European champion, Tiffany Porter came a close 3rd in 12.69s.
It was a sad return for reigning world champion, Brianna Rollins as she, alongside Olympic champion, Sally Pearson, failed to finish the race after stumbling over the hurdles, with Pearson getting injured in the process. World leader and meeting favourite, Jasmine Stowers finished a distant 7th as she landed badly after scaling over a hurdle.
Reigning European GOLD medallist, Sergey Shubenkov won the 110 Hurdles in 13.23s as Garfield Darien and Jeff Porter returned 13.23s and 13.32s respectively.
Former world junior champion, Johnny Dutch has positioned himself as an athlete to watch out for ahead of the World Championships, dominating the men’s 400m Hurdles with an SB of 48.13s, repeating his feat of 2013 where he won at the same venue.
Worthy of mention is the fact that the American beat favourite, Bershawn Jackson in Eugene only last weekend. Country man, Michael Tinsely and Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson followed in 2nd and 3rd respectively with SBs of 48.34s and 68.65s, while Ireland’s Thomas Barr ran a National Record (NR) of 48.65 to finish in 4th place.
Nigeria’s sole representative in Rome, Amaka Ogoegbunam placed 7th in the women’s 400m Hurdles, posting a time of 56.72s in a race that was won by USA’s Georganne Moline in 54.47s. Jamaica’s Janeive Russel was 2nd in 54.83s while European champion, Eilidh Child took 3rd in 54.84s. Former world champion, Lashinda Demus placed a distant 9th, clocking 58.60s.
800m world champion, Mohammed Aman extended his winning streak to Rome, shaking off the threat posed by African and Commonwealth champion, Nijel Amos to win with a World Lead (WL) of 1:43.56. He will be expecting to defend his title in Beijing, but it remains to be seen if Olympic champion, Kenya’s David Rudisha will be up for the challenge.
