American Will Claye fought an exciting duel with his compatriot Christian Taylor in the Triple Jump. World and Olympic champion Taylor jumped to 17m82, but was overhauled by Claye with massive 18m06, which is a new meeting record. Both men are (of course) in the top 8 of the Road to the Final and are therefore qualified for the Final in Brussels, on Friday 6 September at the 43rd AG Memorial Van Damme.
Rising 200 meter star Noah Lyles also earned his ticket for Brussels. The American blasted to victory in 19,65, a new meeting record.
The third meeting record of the evening came from Tomas Walsh. The Shot Putter from New Zealand threw his implement to 22m44. We'll see him back in Brussels on Thursday 5 September when the Diamond League Shot Put final takes place on Square De Brouckère on the eve of the meeting in the King Baudouin Stadium.
In the Men’s Pole Vault Sam Kendricks equalled the meeting record by crossing a bar at 6m00. Ben Broeders, who competed in his very first Diamond League-meeting, was impressively 4th with a jump over 5m60. He stayed 16 cm off his own national record, but he finished ahead of French superstar Renaud Lavillenie, who crossed the same height, but only in his third attempt.
Thomas Van der Plaetsen was also on the track in Paris. The multi-eventer took part in a triathlon. Our compatriot was 6th in the Shot with 13m36, way off his 14m28 PB. French World Decathlon Record holder Kevin Mayer won the event and improved his personal record by more than 50cm to 17m08. In the second event, the Long Jump, Van der Plaetsen quit the competition. Due to a slight hamstring injury that will not prevent him from competing at the World Championships later this year."
Dylan and Kevin Borlée competed in the pre program in Paris. They finished first and second in the 400 meters. Dylan was the best in 46,24, Kevin posted 46,42. Both have still a lot of work to do to reach the qualifying standard for the World Championships that stands at 45,30.
The 100 meter was the top of the bill event in the Women’s competition with a world class field sitting in the blocks. Jamaican Olympic champion Elaine Thompson took victory in 10,98 ahead of Ivorian Marie-Josee Ta Lou (11,13) and Dutch Dafne Schippers (11,15). All three qualify for the 100 meter Diamond League final at the AG Memorial Van Damme.
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