The 26-year-old Ethiopian-born athlete broke the 23-year-old mark of Russian Svetlana Masterkova. Hassan shaved a few tenths off the world’s best at 1,609 meters to finish in 4:12.33.
In the build-up to the race in the principality, Hassan said that she expected to improve her personal best by a large margin. Her PB stood at 4:14.71. But saying that she didn’t seem to be aware of the fact that this would bring her close to the world record. Hassan was left alone in her race after Ukrainian Lyakhova took her through to the first 1000 meters.
Nobody in the field was able to follow Hassan who produced a solo effort all through the final one and a half lap. Briton Laura Weightman finished five seconds behind Hassan in second in 4:17.60. Hassan already broke the world record in the 5km road this year. She also is the European record holder in the 3.000 meter, in the 5.000m and in the half marathon.
Steven Gardiner (Bah) dominated the Men’s 400 meters in 44.51. Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali took the 3000m steeplechase in 8'04"82, a world leading performance. Ethiopian Chala Beyo qualified for the final at the AG Memorial Van Damme in Brussels in this event. With a meeting record of 17m82 American Christian Taylor was the best triple jumper after a tough duel with his compatriot Will Claye.
Pole vaulter Piotr Lisek from Poland set a national record with 6m02, which is also a world leading performance and a meeting record. In the 800m Nijel Amos from Botswana also set a meeting record and a world leading performance in 1'41"89. 37 year old Justin Gatlin (USA) won the 100m in 9.91.
In the women’s events Kendra Harrison (USA) was the fastest in the 100m hurdles with a World Leading 12.43 ahead of Danielle Williams who set a seasonal best in 12.52. Mariya Lasitskene dominated the High Jump while crossing a bar at 2.00 m. Along with Erika Kinsey (SWE), Mirela Demireva (BUL), Yuliya Levchenko (UKR), Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR) and Karyna Taranda (BLR) she is qualified for the final in Brussels.
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