The second Diamond League meet of the season saw several African athletes making their presence felt. We take a look at who was in top form in the Chinese city of Suzhou, just west of Shanghai…
SIMBINE STEALS THE SHOW – Men’s 100m
The pre-meet focus in the build-up to the men’s 100m was very much on the showdown between USA’s Fred Kerley and Christian Coleman, but it was South Africa’s Akani Simbine who stole the show in his first overseas race of the season.
Akani Simbine powers his way to victory on Freedom Day 🇿🇦🌟
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) April 27, 2024
📺 Stream #DiamondLeague 💎 live: https://t.co/ACEUH7ehZ3 pic.twitter.com/0LjtruS5aO
The two-time Olympic finalist produced a sensational final 20m to storm into the lead and take the win in 10.01 seconds to equal the time he ran to claim a sixth national title in the event a week before. Coleman finished second in 10.04, Kerley third in 10.11 and Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme fourth in 10.17.
"I knew the field here would be strong but I just had to replicate what I did last week at the South African Championships,” said Simbine afterwards. “This has built a lot of confidence leading into the Olympic year. This helps build momentum, which I hope to build on further as the season progresses."
BAREGA HOLDS OFF TEEN CHALLENGER – Men’s 5000m
The men’s 5000m came down to a final battle between two Ethiopians – Selemon Barega and Biniam Mehary. As the two duelled around the final bend, it was the Olympic 10 000m champion, Barega, who outlasted his 17-year-old rival, winning in a new meet record time of 12:55.68 to get his Diamond League season off to the best possible start.
Imagine running for 5,000m and finishing the race like this 😂👇
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) April 27, 2024
Superhuman effort 👏💥#DiamondLeague💎 pic.twitter.com/9fMxjkdDTC
Mehary was rewarded for his efforts with a new personal best time of 12:56.37 on his way to second place while 20-year-old Kenyan Benson Kiplangat was third in 12:58.78 – also a PB.
UNDER-THE-WEATHER CHEPKOECH PREVAILS – Women’s 3000m steeplechase
World record holder Beatrice Chepkoech admitted after claiming a dominant victory in the women’s 3000m steeplechase that she’s been struggling with stomach issues. The Kenyan nevertheless managed to go back to back after her victory in Xiamen last weekend to win in a time of 9:07.36 with Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai well back in second in 9:15.46.
"It feels so good to win a second Diamond League race in a week,” said Chepkoech. “I did not feel well, I had stomach issues, but I decided to compete. It gives me really good motivation going into the season where the goal is to win the Olympic Games."
KOALA LEAPS TO LONG JUMP GLORY – Women’s long jump
The only African athlete to shine in the field events was Burkina Faso’s Marthe Koala whose first-round leap of 6.68m took her to victory in the long jump by 9cm. "I am very happy to win my first Diamond League,” said the former African heptathlon champion afterwards. “The goal was to finish top three today, so to come out on top is great. I wanted to jump 6.90m today, but the most important thing is the win. It is good preparation ahead of the Olympic Games."
UNLUCKY AMUSAN DISQUALIFIED – Women’s 100m hurdles
Nigeria’s world record holder Tobi Amusan reacted to a noise in the crowd and was duly disqualified for a false start in the women’s 100m hurdles. She nevertheless ran under protest and while she just dipped in front of the field at the finish, the win was awarded to Olympic champion Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn who crossed the line in a time of 12.63 seconds.
ANOTHER SECOND SPOT FOR KINYAMAL – Men’s 800m
Algerian Slimane Moula shook off the jet lag after a 17-hour trip to Suzhou to claim top honours in the men’s 800m. After a second place in Xiamen a week ago, Kenya’s Wyclife Kinyamal pushed him all the way, but it ultimately wasn’t enough for the win. Moula claimed victory in 1:44.55 with Kinyamal second in 1:44.88.
18-YEAR-OLD ETHIOPIAN SETS WORLD LEAD – Women’s 5000m
It may not have been part of the Diamond League programme, but Ethiopia’s Mekedes Alemeshete made the most of her opportunity to race over 5000m in Suzhou. The 18-year-old led an Ethiopian clean sweep, winning in a world-leading time of 14:36.70. Ayal Dagnachew was second in a new personal best of 14:36.86 with 10 000m world record-holder Letesenbet Gidey finishing third in her season-opener in 14:37.13.