Records came tumbling on Saturday, May 14, as no fewer than four World Leads (WLs) were set at the Shanghai Diamond League meeting in China.
African athletes were not left out of the onslaught, as two Kenyans, Faith Kipyegon and Hyvin Kiyeng both raced to WLs and Meeting Records (MRs) in Shanghai.
One of the most outstanding victories on the night was in the women’s 1500m. Beijing 2015 Silver medallist, Kipyegon raced to a new National Record (NR), MR and WL of 3:56.82.
The reigning Commonwealth Games Champion, ran the last 300m in 43.5s to move past her compatriot Helen Obiri, who clocked a Season’s Best (SB) of 3:59.34, while Ethiopia’s Dawit Seyaum finished 3rd in 3:59.87.
World 3000m Steeplechase Champion Kiyeng also put up an impressive display, setting a WL and MR of 9:07.42. The Kenyan was far ahead of 2nd place finisher Ruth Jabeth, who clocked 9:15.98, while Ethiopia’s Sofia Assefa followed behind in 9.21.07.
World Indoor Champion, Omar McLeod was one of the big performers of the night after storming to his third outdoor WL of the season in 12.98s.
The 22-year old, who has had an unbeaten run this year, raced to his first sub-13s this year to further underline his supremacy as the ‘man to beat’.
But his win on the night wasn’t an easy one, as he had to overcome a tension soaked atmosphere, which saw both Orlando Ortega and World Record (WR) holder Aries Merritt being disqualified one after the other for beating the gun.
This didn’t deter the Jamaican, as he hurdled past the field to victory. Once again his countryman Hansle Parchment followed in 2nd in 13.12s, repeating the 1-2 finish from Doha, as homeboy Wenjun Xie came in 3rd in 13.34s.
Surprisingly USA’s duo of David Oliver and Jason Richardson were 5th and 6th with 13.34s and 13.38s respectively.
Justin Gatlin once again proved that he’s still the man to beat once multiple Olympic Champion Usain Bolt, isn’t on the start list. The World Silver medallist, despite going into the race with an ankle injury, sped to his first legal sub-10s of the year in 9.94s.
Asian Record holder Femi Ogunode upgraded from his 3rd place finish in the 200m in Doha, coming in 2nd in 10.07s, while Mike Rodgers was a close 3rd in 10.10s.
In the women’s 200m, it was expected that the MR of 22.36s set by Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare would be easily erased as world No. 3 Veronica Campbell-Brown came to the meet with an SB of 22.29s.
However, it was Cote d’Ivoire’s Murielle Ahoure who bounced back to winning ways after eight months off due to injury. The 2013 World Silver medallist got all maximum points, stopping the clock at 22.72s. Campbell-Brown came in 2nd in 22.82s, ahead of Anneisha McLaughlin-Whilby who clocked 22.94s.
As expected, World Silver medallist Shaunae Miller continued her winning streak to take the women’s 400m in 50.45s. Although she was some seconds shy of her SB of 49.67s, one can only expect the Bahamian to improve on her time as the season progresses.
Jamaica’s Stephanie Ann-McPherson was 2nd in 50.98s ahead of USA’s Natasha Hastings, who clocked 51.10s.
Meanwhile in the men’s 800m, it was 1-2-3 for Kenya as all athletes recorded SBs on their way to the finishing line, with Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich leading the pack in 1:45.68 ahead of Robert Biwott (1:45.84) and Alfred Kipketer (1:45.93).
Unfortunately, World Champion David Rudisha, after leading in the first 600m in 1:19.68, faded off in the home straight and had to settle for 5th place in 1.46.24, much to his disappointment.
Olympic Champion Sandra Perkovic has always enjoyed a fantastic outing in Shanghai, having set two Croatian records on previous visits to the meeting in 2012 and 2014. This time around, her winning effort of 70.88m turned out to be a WL and Diamond League Record, although it fell short of her NR of 71.08m.
World Indoor Silver medallist Ivana Spanovic upstaged World Champion Tianna Bartoletta to win the women’s Long Jump with an MR of 6.95m. Christabel Nettey was 2nd with a leap of 6.75m, while Bartoletta settled for 3rd place with 6.69m.
Homeboy Xinglong Gao beat World Leader, South Africa’s Ruswahl Samaai to the men’s Long Jump title, even though both athletes posted a best distance of 8.14m. Australia’s Fabrice Lapierre was 3rd with 8.09m.
World Indoor Silver medallist Sam Kendricks emerged the surprise winner in the men’s Pole Vault which had both World Champion Shawnacy Barber, and WR holder Renaud Lavillenie in action.
The American’s clearance of 5.88m was a Personal Best (PB), which saw him go ahead of the Frenchman who was relegated to 2nd position with his best clearance of 5.83m, while World Leader Barber placed 3rd with 5.70m.
Impressive showdown from Kenyan ladies and the season looks glorious.