Shaunae Miller ran a terrific race to win the women’s 400m with a World Leading (WL) mark of 49.55s at the London Diamond League event on Friday.

The Bahamian was never in danger through out the race as she came through the bend in the last 200m and stormed away from others, opening a big mark and leaving others in her trail.

Jamaica’s Stephanie Ann McPherson clocked 50.40s to finish 2nd with Natasha Hastings finishing 3rd with a time of 50.49s.

Miller with her win has now overtaken USA’s Allyson Felix at the top of the rankings who is now 2nd fastest this season with a time of 49.68s. It will be a battle for GOLD between these two in Rio as they both aim for GOLD.

In the men’s 800m, Pierre-Ambroise Bosse took the win with a Season’s Best of 1:43.88, with Brandon McBride running a Personal Best (PB) of 1:43.95, and Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich 3rd in 1:44.38

Meanwhile Laura Muir ran a Meet and National Record of 3:57.49 to win women’s 1500m. Sifan Hassan who’s making her comeback from an injury ran an SB of 4:00.87, and Meraf Bahta 3rd in 4:02.62.

 

Field Events:

Chistian Taylor showed that his still the man to beat in the Triple Jump this year, improving on his former WL of 17.76m and leaping to a new one of 17.78m. Having opened with 17.18m, Taylor fouled in his next two attempts but it was his last try that gave him the mark.

Being the defending champion and having the 2nd best all-time mark of 18.21m, Taylor could fancy his chances for breaking Jonathan Edward’s World record of 18.29m in Rio.

In Men’s Pole Vault, Renaud Lavillenie was not really troubled as he secured the win clearing a height of 5.90m. Sam Kendericks finished 2nd with 5.83m and Kevin Menaldo 3rd with 5.75m

Meanwhile Ruth Beitia showed that age is not a problem for her as she cleared 1.98m to win the women’s High Jump. It was an SB for the 37-year old Spaniard who will no doubt be the favourite in Rio.

Bulgaria’s Mirela Demireva finished 2nd with 1.95m, same height as Katarina Johnson-Thompson who was 3rd.

 

Photo Credit: spikes.iaaf.org

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Athletics coverage was a discovery, having to move away from regularly writing about Football. Although it was initially daunting, but now being an authority in it makes the past effort worthwhile. From travelling on the same international flight with Nigerian athletes, to knowing you could easily interview: World Record holder Tobi Amusan, then Ese Brume, I have cut my teeth in this beat earning the trust of Athletics sources. Formerly the Content Manager-Sports at Ringier media Nigeria, Chris is a Senior Sports writer, Photographer & Community manager at Making of Champions.

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