Manangoi was very impressive in the 1500m and is now highly favoured to win the gold at the World Championships. His 3’28”80 means the 9th all time performance for the Kenyan. Olympic Champion Matt Centrowitz finished only in 9th and has a lot of work to do. The other Kenyan Emmanual Korir, only 22 years of age, set a World Lead in the 800m in 1’43”10.
The Women’s 800m was also a cracker in Monaco. Olympic Champion Caster Semenya from South Africa set a new Diuamond League Record and a new National Record in 1’55”27. Behind Semenya Francine Niyonsaba (BDI) and Ajee Wilson (USA) dipped under 1’56” for the first time in their careers. Sifan Hassan (NED) set a Personal Best in 1’56”81 and is now the clear favourite to take the 1500m World title. She will also compete at the AG Memorial Van Damme in the DL-Final on Sep. 1st.
Usain Bolt had another sluggish start but made his way through in the second part of the race. A comfortable but narrow win for the Jamaican who finished only 3 hundredths of a second ahead of Isiah Young (USA). When he faces Gatlin and De Grasse in London Bolt will require an extra gear. Wayde Van Niekerk had to push it hard to win the 400m. His winning 43”73 was only a few inches faster than Isaac Makwala (BOT) who ran 43”84. A big clash in London between these two is in the making.
Other World Leads came in the Women’s 3000m and the Men’s 3000m Steeplechase. No 3000m on the program in London, but Obiri’s 8’23”14 proves that the Kenyan is more than ready to claim the 5000m World title.
JAGER AND LASITSKENE OUTSTANDING ON #ROADTOBRUSSELS
American Evan Jager set a 8’01”29 World Lead in the 3000m Steeplechase and will be the toughest contender for the traditionally strong African contingent in this event. Jager will also be one of the great stars at the AG Memorial Van Damme.
In the #RoadToBrussels Maria Lasitskene continued her winning streak with another impressive performance. The Russian who is allowed to compete as a Neutral Athlete crossed the bar at 2.05m to take her 6th victory this year in the Diamond League. The Meeting Record in Brussels is held by her compatriot Anna Chicherova and stands at 2.05m. In Lausanne Lasitskene jumped a Personal Best of 2.06m and she now holds the 11 best competition results of 2017.
