USA’s Joe Kovacs had an incredible night at the Monaco Diamond League, smashing two records to win the men’s Shot Put. Kovacs’ 2nd attempt of 22.56m broke the Meet Record (MR) and also the Diamond League Record, having no difficulties in winning his event.
Kovacs’ achievement is the biggest throw in the world since 2003, and the American moved up to joint first on the Diamond Race standings with 14 points alongside European champion, David Storl who was not in action in Monaco.
Coming from his defeat to Storl in Lausanne last week, it was the perfect response from Kovacs as all his five throws on Friday crossed 21m. Christain Cantwell finished 2nd with 21.24m, and Reese
Hoffa 3rd with his 21.24m throw.
In the men’s Triple Jump, Christain Taylor made it a back to back win over Pedro Pichardo, with his 17.75m leap that set a new MR. Pichardo was not far off in 2nd place, narrowly losing with his 17.73m best mark. The Cuban tried to match Taylor’s best jump, but he drew fouls in his last two attempts, handing victory to his American rival. Omar Craddock came in 3rd with his 17.35m jump.
Sandra Perkovic made a winning comeback following her defeat in Lausanne, powering to victory in the women’s Discus with a 66.80m throw. Perkovic had to do it the hard way, committing four fouls consecutively, before recording a first throw in her fifth attempt, which incidentally won her the event. Dani Samuels finished 2nd with her best throw of 65.21m while Gia Lewis-Smallwood took 3rd with 63.97
In the men’s Pole Vault, Renaud Lavillenie might have been beaten in Paris and Lausanne, but he made sure there was to be no repeat of that with his victory on home soil. Lavillenie was the only one who cleared 5.92m which secured victory for him, and Konstantinos Fillipidis 2nd with his 5.82m clearance. Sam Kendricks also cleared 5.82m, but finished 3rd after failing all his three attempts in 5.87m
The women’s Long Jump saw Russia’s Ivana Spanovic beat current leader, Tianna Bartoletta, with the Serbian’s 6.87m in her first attempt, enough to secure victory. Bartoletta finished 2nd with 6.76m and Lorraine Ugen 3rd with 6.73m
Mariya Kuchina scaled a Personal Best of 2.00m to win the women’s High Jump, while Ruth Beitia was 2nd with 1.97m. However, there was to be no back to back wins for Anna Chicherova who finished 3rd, also with 1.97.
In the men’s Javelin, Tero Pitkämäki recorded a second victory in the Diamond League this season. Pitkämäki threw 88.87, and Vítězslav Veselý 2nd with 85.44, while Jakub Vadlejch finished 3rd with 84.32.
Kovacs might have produced the highlight of the field events in Monaco, but the rivalry between Taylor and Pichardo has made the Triple Jump an event to look forward to.
Click here to read our review of the track events in Monaco.
