El Bakkali has 7 records
RABAT (MAR, May 31). A great edition of the Wanda Diamond League in Morocco with 7 matches, 3 world leaders and two more outdoor world leaders. And the first European to lap under 8 minutes is the German Frederic Rupert. And in the end the expected home win by Sufian El Bakkali. Four European wins by Burgin, Vero, Mahuchich and Zapletalova. Burgin defeats Vanyoni, and Kruser is still trying to find his old self. Great depth at all mid distances. The series continues on Thursday with the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea in Rome.
Event-by-event brief reviews
Men
200 m. Bednarek approached the WL with a clean 19.69 (+0.4) MR win. Tebogo closed well in 19.96 to Dambile’s 20.03.
400 m. In the first race since March in Australia, Patterson’s 44.11 MR was ahead of Hudson-Smith’s 44.25 EL.
800 m. Burgin soloed to pay; he won the outdoor WL in 1:42.98, beating eventual world champion Wanyonyi (1:43.56) and Mula (1:43.73). Top 10 under 1:45.
1500 m. In a dramatic finish, Nugus was able to hold on to a 3:30.35 MR to close out Nader 3:30.43 EL Habz 3:30.68 and Ciattei 3:30.90 PB.
Dome. El Bakkali’s last round decision and resulted in a 7:57.25 WL (his 2nd best ever) and Germany’s Rupert to a European record of 7:57.80 (Mekhisi has a current 8:00.09 from 2013) and PBs for Kenyans S. Koech 7:59.41 and E.00.
Shot. Joe Kovacs managed a 22.58 WL/MR and had 3 more throws, good enough for the win. Crouser 21.59 with edges Geist 21.56 and Steen 21.52.
Javelin. In the fourth round, Peters scored 86.08 to beat world leader Patirage 85.97 and world champion Walcott 3rd 82.52 by 11cm.
Women
100 m. Jamaican newbie Tina Clayton 10.85 (+1.3, missed Thomson’s MR by 0.02) ahead of L. 10.95 PB from Williams.
200 m. Sturgis, a somewhat unexpected winner, 22.21, followed by K. White, 22.28, Miller-Uebaugh 4th, 22.42.
800 m. Werro was able to maintain his lead in a quick 1:56.56 MR/outdoor WL. Africans closed out Duguma 1:57.24 and Odira 1:57.27; the top 11 went under 1:59.
1500m (non-DL). Favorite Hailu 3:58.25, leading young Kalayu (born 2009) to a 3:59.28 PB and Guillemot 3:59.60 outdoor EL. The top 15 went under 4:05.
100mH (not DL). Husband confirms his best form with a 12.28 MR to Charlton’s 12.40 and Visser’s debut season 12.47 EL.
400mH. Slovakian Zapletalova started the season where she left off last season. His first sub at 53 with a 52.82 WL/NR. Cockrell won the last 100m in 53.18.
HJ: Mahuchich won, but 197 was enough (twice attempted 200 and once MR height 202), followed by Patterson and Topik with 194.
PV: Big DL comeback from Kennedy surgery with 480 wins (did not continue). With 470 Widows, Moons and Mosers (outdoor EL) behind him.
DT: Sion as expected with 68.75 MR in the final round. 4 throws is enough to beat him. Van Klinken 2nd 66.72.
