DOHA, QATAR, May 10 — The third stop on the Diamond League tour saw world-leading marks by Alison dos Santos, Kenny Bednarek, Beatrice Chebet and Samuel Firewu on a warm and windy evening at the Qatar Sports Club Stadium.
Brazil’s dos Santos won the 400H in impressive fashion, charging off the final barrier and clocking a sensational 46.86. Only three men have ever run faster — plus dos Santos himself, who won the ’22 world title in 46.29.
“It is still very early in the season, we know that we have much work to do, so this result gives us a good, good vibe for the rest of the season,” said the 23-year-old lap-hurdles star, who was more than a second and a half ahead of runner up CJ Allen of the U.S. (48.39). “It is going to be very tough this year, so to start in such a fashion is so positive.”
In the 200, Bednarek had a slight lead coming off the turn, then continued to build on that margin. He stopped the clock in 19.67, slicing a 100th off his PR (from the Tokyo Olympics) and solidifying his hold on the No. 9 spot on the U.S. all-time list.
Left in his wake were Courtney Lindsey (20.01) and Kyree King (20.21), who had teamed up with Bednarek (and Noah Lyles) to win the 4×1 at the World Relays the previous weekend.
“All I can say is I ran for my life because I knew my teammates were behind me,” said the Olympic silver medalist, who was sporting a headband that said Fear None. “I’m just happy because I’m back. Back and better than ever. The last two years I was hurt and I’m here to go for the Trials and for the Olympics.”
In the women’s 5000, Chebet was content to follow Ethiopia’s Ejgayehu Taye for most of the second half of the race. The Kenyan — who just won her second successive world cross country title in March — tried to take the lead on the inside down the final backstretch, but when Taye blocked that move Chebet quickly swung wide and surged ahead entering the final curve. Her decisive sprint brought her home in 14:26.98, well clear of world 10,000 bronze medalist Taye (14:29.26).
The men’s steeplechase provided a thrilling conclusion to the evening when Firewu (8:07.25) exploded off the final barrier to pass Budapest bronze medalist Abraham Kibiwott (8:07.38). The young Ethiopian — who turned 20 the previous week and whose previous high-water marks (pardon the pun) came in the form of World Junior Champs medals in ’21 and ’22 — lowered his PR from the 8:10.57 he clocked last year.
Jamaican long jumper Carey McLeod couldn’t join the world lead club due to excessive winds, but he notched an impressive 27-11½ (8.54) off a brisk +5.2 draft.
“I’ve got quite a bit of travel on my legs, but to see that I’m jumping this far with 15-plus hours of traveling, I feel amazing,” said McLeod, who won last year’s indoor and outdoor NCAA titles for Arkansas and took bronze at the World indoor in March.
Olympic champion Miltiádis Tentóglou, as is often his habit, had his best jump in the final round, but an outdoor list-leading 27-5¼ (8.36) wasn’t enough this time.
Jakub Vadlejch had to sweat out a sixth-round scare in the javelin, with Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra of India coming just 2cm shy of the Czech star’s lead. Both were credited with an imperial 289-11.
In the night’s other long throw, a non-DL men’s discus, Slovenia’s Kristjan Čeh reached 231-3 (70.48) to prevail over Australian Matt Denny’s first round 226-5 (69.02)
World indoor pole vault champ Molly Caudery beat world outdoor co-champ Nina Kennedy. Both cleared 15-6¼ (4.73), with the Brit taking the win over the Aussie on the countback.
In the women’s 100H, Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji was only 4th going over the final barrier, but she dominated the run-in to win in 12.49 over American Tonea Marshall (12.51) and Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska (12.53).
After a swift opening lap (56.57) by the rabbit, Mary Moraa steadfastly controlled the women’s 800. Jemma Reekie moved wide in an attempt to steal the race in the homestretch, but Moraa found another gear and pulled away to win easily in 1:57.91, much to the delight of the numerous Kenyan fans on hand. Reekie (1:58.42) had to settle for the runner-up spot.
Another Kenyan win came in the men’s 1500, with Brian Komen passing countryman Timothy Cheruiyot in the final 50m to pull the upset in 3:32.43. That’s just off the 3:32.29 PR he ran to finish 2nd at the Keino Classic in April.
World and Olympic 400 champ Steven Gardiner looked smooth down the backstretch and held off ’22 Commonwealth champion Muzala Samukonga of Zambia to win, 44.76–45.07. Botswana’s Leungo Scotch (3rd in 45.29) and world leader Bayapo Ndori (6th in 45.57), likely still recovering from the high of their World Relays 4×4 win, were never a factor.
Britain’s Daryll Neita collected her second DL win of the season, following the Suzhou 200, coming on late to edge American Tamari Davis in the 100 by 0.01 in 10.99.
“I did not expect such a loud crowd, but it was wonderful and the atmosphere was so good,” said Neita, who is hoping to upgrade her global relay medals for a spot on an individual podium: “I will take it race by race and during the process I hope to stay humble and healthy. I am aiming for medals.”
DOHA DL MEN’S RESULTS
200(1.7): 1. Kenny Bednarek (US) 19.67 PR (WL) (9, x A);
2. Courtney Lindsey (US) 20.01; 3. Kyree King (US) 20.21; 4. Joe Fahnbulleh (Lbr) 20.26; 5. Aaron Brown (Can) 20.29; 6. Joshua Hartmann (Ger) 20.36; 7. Andrew Hudson (Jam) 20.53.
400: 1. Steven Gardiner (Bah) 44.76; 2. Muzala Samukonga (Zam) 45.07; 3. Leungo Scotch (Bot) 45.29; 4. Vernon Norwood (US) 45.49; 5. Ammar Ismail Yahya Ibrahim (Qat) 45.57 PR; 6. Bayapo Ndori (Bot) 45.57; 7. Quincy Hall (US) 45.98.
1500: 1. Brian Komen (Ken) 3:32.43; 2. Timothy Cheruiyot (Ken) 3:32.67 (1:53.88, 2:51.70); 3. Raynold Kipkorir (Ken) 3:32.96; 4. Isaac Nader (Por) 3:33.50; 5. Elliot Giles (GB) 3:33.61; 6. Narve Gilje Nordås (Nor) 3:33.87; 7. Andrew Coscoran (Ire) 3:34.25; 8. Kieran Lumb (Can) 3:34.41 PR; 9. Adel Mechaal (Spa) 3:35.12; 10. Andreas Almgren (Swe) 3:35.22; 11. Samuel Tefera (Eth) 3:35.58;… rabbit—Mounir Akbache (Fra) (55.80).
St: 1. Samuel Firewu (Eth) 8:07.25 PR (WL);
2. Abraham Kibiwot (Ken) 8:07.38; 3. Getnet Wale (Eth) 8:09.69; 4. Amos Serem (Ken) 8:12.74; 5. Ryuji Miura (Jpn) 8:13.96; 6. Daniel Arce (Spa) 8:16.43; 7. Mohamed Amine Jihnaoui (Tun) 8:17.56; 8. Simon Sundström (Swe) 8:19.45; 9. Isaac Updike (US) 8:20.86;… rabbits—Abderrafia Bouassel (Mor) (2:42.50), Wilberforce Kones (Ken) (5:24.83).
400H: 1. Alison dos Santos (Bra) 46.86 (WL) (x, 15 W);
2. CJ Allen (US) 48.39; 3. Wilfried Happio (Fra) 49.10; 4. Dave Kendziera (US) 49.29; 5. Khallifah Rosser (US) 49.88; 6. Nick Smidt (Neth) 49.97; 7. Doudai Ismail Abakar (Qat) 50.34; 8. Yasmani Copello (Tur) 50.97.
Field Events
LJ: 1. Carey McLeod (Jam) 27-11½w (8.52) (f, 25-10¾w, 26-8½w, 27-11½w, f, 21-½w) (f, 7.89w, 8.14w, 8.52w, f, 6.41w); 2. Miltiádis Tentóglou (Gre) 27-5¼ (8.36) (out WL) (26-9w, f, 25-4w, 27-1¼w, 27-4½w, 27-5¼) (8.15w, f, 7.72w, 8.26w, 8.34w, 8.36); 3. Simon Ehammer (Swi) 27-2¾w (8.30) (f, 26-7¾w, 26-3w, f, 27-2¾w, 21-3½) (f, 8.12w, 8.00w, f, 8.30w, 6.49); 4. Simon Batz (Ger) 26-8¼w (8.13); 5. Tajay Gayle (Jam) 26-3½w (8.01); 6. Radek Juška (CzR) 26-¾w (7.94); 7. Thobias Montler (Swe) 25-4¾ (7.74); 8. LaQuan Nairn (Bah) 24-11w (7.59);… nm—Will Williams (US) (injured on first attempt).
Non-DL DT: 1. Kristjan Čeh (Slo) 231-3 (70.48) (214-11, 201-0, 220-5, 231-3, f, 221-9) (65.51, 61.26, 67.18, 70.48, f, 67.59); 2. Matt Denny (Aus) 226-5 (69.02) (226-5, f, 219-5, f, 218-4, 217-9) (69.02, f, 66.88, f, 66.54, 66.37); 3. Henrik Janssen (Ger) 215-8 (65.74); 4. Alin Alexandru Firfirica (Rom) 213-10 (65.18); 5. Lukas Weißhaidinger (Aut) 213-8 (65.14); 6. Lawrence Okoye (GB) 213-1 (64.95); 7. Sam Mattis (US) 211-0 (64.33).
JT: 1. Jakub Vadlejch (CzR) 289-11 (88.38) (281-8, 285-2, 289-11, 275-9, f, f) (85.87, 86.93, 88.38, 84.04, f, f); 2. Neeraj Chopra (Ind) 289-11 (88.36) (f, 278-7, 282-11, 282-9, 269-11, 289-11) (f, 84.93, 86.24, 86.18, 82.28, 88.36); 3. Anderson Peters (Grn) 284-2 (86.62) (264-8, 281-4, f, 271-11, 279-1, 284-2,) (80.68, 85.75, f, 82.89, 85.08, 86.62,); 4. Oliver Helander (Fin) 275-6 (83.99); 5. Andrian Mardare (Mol) 266-10 (81.33); 6. Edis Matusevičius (Lit) 262-7 (80.05); 7. Genki Dean (Jpn) 260-4 (79.34); 8. Julius Yego (Ken) 257-1 (78.37); 9. Kishore Kumar Jena (Ind) 250-4 (76.31); 10. Curtis Thompson (US) 241-0 (73.46).
DOHA DL WOMEN’S RESULTS
100(2.0): 1. Daryll Neita (GB) 10.98; 2. Tamari Davis (US) 10.99; 3. Celera Barnes (US) 11.02; 4. Amy Hunt (GB) 11.13; 5. Boglárka Takács (Hun) 11.17; 6. Kortnei Johnson (US) 11.29; 7. Natasha Morrison (Jam) 11.37.
800: 1. Mary Moraa (Ken) 1:57.91; 2. Jemma Reekie (GB) 1:58.42; 3. Noélie Yarigo (Ben) 1:58.70; 4. Habitam Alemu (Eth) 1:59.08; 5. Halimah Nakaayi (Uga) 1:59.48; 6. Natoya Goule-Toppin (Jam) 1:59.74; 7. Elena Bellò (Ita) 1:59.83; 8. Isabelle Boffey (GB) 2:01.03; 9. Alexandra Bell (GB) 2:01.56; 10. Anita Horvat (Slo) 2:05.06;… rabbit—Agata Kolakowska (Pol) (56.570.
1500: 1. Freweyni Hailu (Eth) 4:00.42 (2:05.28, 3:10.52; 2. Jessica Hull (Aus) 4:00.84; 3. Nelly Chepchirchir (Ken) 4:01.19; 4. Worknesh Mesele (Eth) 4:01.25; 5. Hirut Meshesha (Eth) 4:03.22; 6. Georgia Bell (GB) 4:03.72 PR; 7. Revee Walcott-Nolan (GB) 4:03.99; 8. Susan Ejore (Ken) 4:04.70; 9. Federica Del Buono (Ita) 4:05.09; 10. Sarah Healy (Ire) 4:05.72; 11. Georgia Griffith (Aus) 4:06.13; 12. Melissa Courtney-Bryant (GB) 4:08.46;… rabbit—Aneta Lemiesz (Pol) (61.80).
5000: 1. Beatrice Chebet (Ken) 14:26.98 (WL) (13.6, 27.9, 60.8);
2. Ejgayehu Taye (Eth) 14:29.26 (8:43.92, 11:41.23); 3. Medina Eisa (Eth) 14:34.11; 4. Melknat Wudu (Eth) 14:44.17; 5. Gela Hambese (Eth) 14:47.74 PR; 6. Senayet Getachew (Eth) 14:52.97; 7. Aynadis Mebratu (Eth) 14:53.55; 8. Kassie Wubrist (Eth) 14:56.40; 9. Grace Nawowuna (Ken) 15:01.10; 10. Mekedes Alemeshete (Eth) 15:06.23; 11. Nozomi Tanaka (Jpn) 15:11.21;… dnf—Lemlem Hailu (Eth);… rabbit—Loice Chekwemoi (Eth) (2:53.99, 5:48.10).
100H(1.7): 1. Ditaji Kambundji (Swi) 12.49; 2. Tonea Marshall (US) 12.51; 3. Pia Skrzyszowska (Pol) 12.53; 4. Amber Hughes (US) 12.54 PR; 5. Sarah Lavin (Ire) 12.73;… dq—Alaysha Johnson (US).
Field Events
HJ: 1. Angelina Topić (Ser) 6-4¼ (1.94) ; 2. Iryna Gerashchenko (Ukr) 6-3¼ (1.91); 3. Eleanor Patterson (Aus) 6-3¼; 4. Lia Apostolovski (Slo) 6-2 (1.88); 5. Nadezhda Dubovitskaya (Kaz) 6-2; 6. Maja Nilsson (Swe) 6-2; 7. Morgan Lake (GB) 6-2; 8. Yuliya Levchenko (Ukr) 6-½ (1.84).
PV: 1. Molly Caudery (GB) 15-6¼ (4.73) (out WL) (14-2½, 14-6¼, 14-10¼, 15-2¼, 15-6¼, 15-10 [xxx]) (4.33, 4.43, 4.53, 4.63, 4.73, 4.83 [xxx]);
2. Nina Kennedy (Aus) 15-6¼ (4.73) (=out WL) (14-6¼, 14-10¼ [2], 15-2¼, 15-6¼, 15-10 [xxx]) (4.43, 4.53 [2], 4.63, 4.73, 4.83 [xxx]); 3. Tina Šutej (Slo) 15-2¼ (4.63); 4. Bridget Williams (US) 15-2¼; 5. Katerína Stefanídi (Gre) 15-2¼ ; 6. Sandi Morris (US) 14-10¼ (4.53); 7. Gabriela Leon (US) 14-6¼ (4.43);… nh—Roberta Bruni (Ita).