The Zurich Diamond League provided the perfect climax for newly crowned World Champions in the men’s High Jump, Pole vault and Long Jump respectively, Mutaz Essa Barshim, Sam Kendricks and Luvo Manyonga, who dominated their events all season.
Barshim, who recently cleared a World Lead (WL) of 2.40m at the Birmingham Diamond League, secured his ninth victory of the season after being the last man standing at the height of 2.33m. He eventually won the event with a clearance of 2.36m before calling it a day, winning the third Diamond Trophy of his career.
Syria’s Majd Eddin Ghazal was 2nd with 2.31m, while Bohdan Bondarenko finished 3rd with the same mark.
Meanwhile, Kendricks secured his first Diamond Trophy, capping off what has been an excellent season for the American who joined the 6m club in the men’s Pole vault earlier in the season.
The London 2017 GOLD medallist won the event with his clearance of 5.87m, denying Renaud Lavillenie an eighth consecutive Diamond League trophy.
The Frenchman and World Record (WR) holder has won seven consecutive Diamond League trophies, but finished at the bottom of the standings after failing all three attempts at his opening height of 5.63m. Piotr Lisek was 2nd with 5.80m, and Pawel Wojciechowski 3rd with the same mark.
African Record holder Manyonga inspired a 1-2 for South Africa in the men’s Long Jump at the Zurich Diamond League, and would be delighted to win his first Diamond Trophy.
The World Leader and Olympic Silver medallist who has been in great form this year, extended his winning streak once again, and despite being fouled twice, emerged tops with an impressive leap of 8.49m.
Teammate Ruswahl Samaai was also impressive, following in the footsteps of his kinsman by placing 2nd with 8.31m, while USA’s Jarrion Lawson finished 3rd with a leap of 8.12m.
An unlikely winner emerged in the women’s Triple Jump final in the person of London 2012 Olympic Champion, Olga Rypakova of Kazakhstan.
The jumper who has trailed reigning World Champion Yulimar Rojas and Rio 2016 GOLD medallist Caterine Ibarguen all season, stole the show amidst windy conditions at the Letzigrund Stadium on Thursday.
The 32-year old won the event with a leap of 14.55m which she secured on her 4th attempt, although she already topped the standings with her very first attempt of 14.48m.
Rojas fouled on her first attempt, but eventually clinched 2nd position with her fifth jump which landed at 14.52m. Beijing 2015 World Champion Ibarguen had to settle for 3rd place with her jump of 14.48m which she secured on her last jump.
London 2017 Silver medallist in the men’s Javelin throw, Jakub Vadlejch upstaged the German duo of Thomas Rohler and Johannes Vetter to dominate the field on Thursday.
The Czech thrower opened his campaign with a throw of 84.40m which saw him top the standings, before improving to his winning mark of 88.50m on his second attempt.
Rio 2016 GOLD medallist Rohler followed with his best mark of 86.59m gotten on his third attempt, while teammate and World Champion Vetter finished a distant 4th with 86.15m.
WR holder Barbora Spotakova who claimed her second world title in London a fortnight ago, dominated the women’s Javelin event, securing a hard-fought victory with her final throw of 65.54m.
Australia’s Kelsey-Lee Roberts set a Personal Best (PB) of 64.53m which she also got on her last throw, while Olympic Champion Sara Kolak settled for 3rd with her final attempt of 64.47m.
China’s Lijiao Gong was the woman to beat in the Shot put, securing the win with her best throw of 19.60m and finishing ahead of Anita Marton (18.54m) and Yuliya Leantsiuk (18.47m).
