BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, August 18—The swirling winds and patches of rain at the Müller Grand Prix may not have been the best conditions for track & field, but it didn’t get in the way of three meeting records being set at 2019 Diamond League stop No. 11. And while some performances were affected by the weather, many of the events were highly competitive and provided a glimpse of what to expect at the World Championships in just 6 weeks’ time.
The women’s 200 was one of the biggest talking points. Local favorite Dina Asher-Smith had the best of starts and was slightly up on Shaunae Miller-Uibo at the halfway point. But a slight margin isn’t enough when you’re up against the long-striding Bahamian; the Olympic 400m champion duly and calmly made up the ground down the homestraight and crossed the line first in 22.24 to the Briton’s 22.36. Multiple world and Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was 3rd (22.50) with 2-time world champion Dafne Schippers 4th (22.81).
“My start was just horrible,” said the winner. “I had to rely on that 400m strength to get through.” She will contest just the 400 in Doha, but her run here—in which she beat many of the world’s best over what is her secondary event—will be a welcome confidence booster.
Nafi Thiam is another Olympic champion who will head to Doha off the back of an encouraging performance. The Belgian all-rounder was up against fellow heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson in the long jump. Based on their comments at the premeet press conference, both were simply using it as heptathlon preparation and didn’t truly expect to challenge the horizontal-jump specialists.
But a second-round PR of 22-1½ (6.74) from Thiam propelled the world heptathlon champion into the lead. World indoor champ Ivana Španović responded with 22-3 (6.78) later that round, but in the third Thiam hit back with 22-6¼ (6.86), her second national record of the competition. Španović’s 22-5¾ (6.85) in round 3 wasn’t enough to take back the lead. KJT, meanwhile, ended her series with a 22-5¾ (6.85) of her own to finish 3rd on the countback. “Being first or second didn’t matter,” said Thiam. “This gives me confidence.” Thiam’s PRs in the 7 individual events now add up to a heptathlon score of 7234, trailing only JJK (7654) and Carolina Klüft (7240).
World Indoor 60H gold medalist Keni Harrison came to town with an unblemished competitive record on the year. It took a hit in the heats, though, as she uncharacteristically clattered some barriers and finished only 4th. Drawn in the inside lane for the final, she couldn’t quite get on level terms with ’15 world champion Danielle Williams, who edged into the lead after the fourth barrier and went on to win in 12.46, equaling Harrison’s meet record. Harrison finished 2nd in 12.66. She tweeted, “My body literally hates me!!! I guess that’s what happens when you run 2 poorly executed races. But lesson learned you gotta bring your A game every time.”
The 2 other meet records came in the women’s middle-distance events. WR holder Beatrice Chepkoech produced a dominant run in the steeple to win in 9:05.55, smashing the old standard by 12 seconds. Fellow Kenyan Celliphine Chespol chased hard on the final lap but still finished more than a second adrift. Konstanze Klosterhalfen had the German (4:21.59) and meet (4:24.27) records as her targets when she lined up for the mile. Despite the strong winds, she doggedly stuck to the task and was rewarded with both marks, crossing the line in 4:21.11. Canada’s Gabriela DeBues-Stafford was the only one who could get anywhere near Klosterhalfen, finishing in 4:22.47.
In an event that has been heavily dominated by European throwers for the past few years, Chao-Tsun Cheng of Taiwan produced a last-round upset in the men’s javelin. His 287-10 (87.75) propelled the Asian Recordholder from 3rd to 1st, beating Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic and world leader Magnus Kirt of Estonia.
The men’s 100 was the closest contest of the day as the entire 8-man field was split by just 0.10, while the top two—Yohan Blake and Adam Gemili—were separated by 0.008. Both men were given times of 10.07 with Blake getting the edge. Fellow Jamaicans Omar McLeod (13.21) and Akeem Bloomfield (45.04) were victorious in the 110H and 400.
BIRMINGHAM DL MEN’S RESULTS
Müller GP; Birmingham, England August 18—
100(2.0): 1. Yohan Blake (Jam) 10.07; 2. Adam Gemili (GB) 10.07; 3. Mike Rodgers (US) 10.09; 4. Christopher Belcher (US) 10.13; 5. Andre De Grasse (Can) 10.13; 6. Tyquendo Tracey (Jam) 10.14; 7. Akani Simbine (SA) 10.15; 8. Zhenye Xie (Chn) 10.17.
400: 1. Akeem Bloomfield (Jam) 45.04; 2. Obi Igbokwe (US) 45.53; 3. Matthew Hudson-Smith (GB) 45.55; 4. Kahmari Montgomery (US) 45.59; 5. Michael Cherry (US) 45.61; 6. Demish Gaye (Jam) 45.64; 7. Vernon Norwood (US) 45.79; 8. Nathon Allen (Jam) 46.90.
Non-DL 800: 1. Mark English (Ire) 1:45.94; 2. Alfred Kipketer (Ken) 1:46.10 (1:18.35); 3. Elliot Giles (GB) 1:46.27; 4. Jamie Webb (GB) 1:46.38; 5. Guy Learmonth (GB) 1:46.50; 6. Erik Sowinski (US) 1:46.80; 7. Spencer Thomas (GB) 1:46.88; 8. Thomas Staines (GB) 1:47.28; 9. Andreas Kramer (Swe) 1:47.60 (50.68); 10. Max Burgin (GB) 1:47.99; 11. Joseph Deng (Aus) 1:48.20;… rabbit—Andreas Kramer (Swe) (50.68).
Non-DL 1500: 1. Ronald Musagala (Uga) 3:35.12; 2. Stewart McSweyn (Aus) 3:35.21; 3. Craig Engels (US) 3:35.51; 4. Samuel Tefera (Eth) 3:35.77 (2:53.64); 5. Cornelius Tuwei (Ken) 3:36.26; 6. Jesús Gómez (Spa) 3:36.40 PR; 7. Ryan Gregson (Aus) 3:38.15; 8. Matthew Ramsden (Aus) 3:39.53; 9. Jakub Holuša (CzR) 3:40.52; 10. Chris O’Hare (GB) 3:41.98; 11. Piers Copeland (GB) 3:43.55; 12. Jake Heyward (GB) 3:43.72; 13. Zak Seddon (GB) 3:44.44; 14. Kalle Berglund (Swe) 3:45.35; 15. Jordan Williamsz (Aus) 3:46.68; 16. Djilali Bedrani (Fra) 3:46.90; 17. Amos Bartelsmeyer (Ger) 3:47.32;… rabbit—Julian Oakley (NZ) (56.05, 57.47 [1:53.52[).
Non-DL 110H(-0.2): 1. Omar McLeod (Jam) 13.21; 2. Freddie Crittenden (US) 13.31; 3. Wenjun Xie (Chn) 13.43; 4. Daniel Roberts (US) 13.48; 5. Cameron Fillery (GB) 13.54 PR; 6. Nicholas Hough (Aus) 13.66; 7. David King (GB) 13.69; 8. Isaiah Moore (US) 13.81.
400H: 1. Yasmani Copello (Tur) 49.08; 2. Alison Brendom Alves Dos Santos (Bra) 49.20; 3. Dave Kendziera (US) 49.29; 4. Kemar Mowatt (Jam) 49.56; 5. Thomas Barr (Ire) 50.16; 6. Takatoshi Abe (Jpn) 50.36; 7. Jacob Paul (GB) 50.71; 8. Amere Lattin (US) 51.15.
Field Events
HJ: 1. Brandon Starc (Aus) 7-6½ (2.30); 2. Ilya Ivanyuk (Rus) 7-3¾ (2.23); 3. tie, Yu Wang (Chn) & Mathew Sawe (Ken) 7-3¾; 5. Majed El Dein Ghazal (Syr) 7-3¾; 6. tie, Chris Baker (GB), Naoto Tobe (Jpn) & Jeron Robinson (US) 7-2¼ (2.19);… nh—Tom Gale (GB).
JT: 1. Chao-Tsun Cheng (Tai) 287-10 (87.75) (271-6, f, 254-4, 263-5, 267-1, 287-10) (82.76, f, 77.52, 80.30, 81.41, 87.75); 2. Jakub Vadlejch (CzR) 281-5 (85.78); 3. Magnus Kirt (Est) 279-10 (85.29); 4. Andreas Hofmann (Ger) 270-7 (82.47); 5. Marcin Krukowski (Pol) 265-10 (81.02); 6. Edis Matusevičius (Lit) 264-4 (80.58); 7. Thomas Röhler (Ger) 263-5 (80.30); 8. Bernhard Seifert (Ger) 255-11 (78.00); 9. Keshorn Walcott (Tri) 239-4 (72.94).
BIRMINGHAM DL WOMEN’S RESULTS
Non-DL 100(-0.9): 1. Tatjana Pinto (Ger) 11.15; 2. Dezerea Bryant (US) 11.21; 3. Teahna Daniels (US) 11.24; 4. Maja Mihalinec (Slo) 11.36; 5. Jonielle Smith (Jam) 11.37; 6. Rachel Miller (GB) 11.42; 7. Kim Baptiste (GB) 11.71; 8. Bianca Williams (GB) 11.77.
200(0.4): 1. Shaunae Miller-Uibo (Bah) 22.24; 2. Dina Asher-Smith (GB) 22.36; 3. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jam) 22.50; 4. Dafne Schippers (Hol) 22.81; 5. Blessing Okagbare (Ngr) 22.83; 6. Bryant 22.84; 7. Payton Chadwick (US) 23.71; 8. Marie-Josée Ta Lou (CI) 24.18.
800: 1. Ajee’ Wilson (US) 2:00.76; 2. Lynsey Sharp (GB) 2:01.09; 3. Raevyn Rogers (US) 2:01.40; 4. Renelle Lamote (Fra) 2:01.46; 5. Alexandra Bell (GB) 2:02.41; 6. Natoya Goule (Jam) 2:02.70 (1:29.39); 7. Kate Grace (US) 2:03.19; 8. Halimah Nakaayi (Uga) 2:03.40; 9. Olha Lyakhova (Ukr) 2:03.64;… rabbit—Anieta Lemiesz (Pol) (57.13).
Mile: 1. Konstanze Klosterhalfen (Ger) 4:21.11 NR (4:03.43) (3:14.85); 2. Gabriela DeBues-Stafford (Can) 4:22.47 (4:04.02); 3. Eilish McColgan (GB) 4:24.71 PR (4:06.95); 4. Linden Hall (Aus) 4:24.72 (4:07.82); 5. Jessica Hull (Aus) 4:24.93 PR (4:06.77); 6. Jemma Reekie (GB) 4:27.00 PR (4:07.63); 7. Elinor Purrier (US) 4:30.30 PR (4:13.31); 8. Axumawit Embaye (Eth) 4:30.36 (4:10.44); 9. Heather MacLean (US) 4:31.13 PR (4:13.51); 10. Helen Schlachtenhaufen (US) 4:35.70 (4:17.25); 11. Claudia Bobocea (Rom) 4:37.67 (4:16.61); 12. Sarah Healy (Ire) 4:40.72 PR (4:20.81); 13. Sofia Ennaoui (Pol) 4:45.69 (4:24.42);… rabbit—Chanelle Price (US) (62.74, 66.48 [2:09.22]).
St: 1. Beatrice Chepkoech (Ken) 9:05.55 (2:58.15, 5:59.94); 2. Celliphine Chespol (Ken) 9:06.76; 3. Winfred Yavi (Bhr) 9:07.23 PR; 4. Hyvin Jepkemoi (Ken) 9:07.25; 5. Norah Tanui (Ken) 9:10.72; 6. Gesa-Felicitas Krause (Ger) 9:20.55; 7. Daisy Jepkemei (Ken) 9:20.68; 8. Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal (Nor) 9:22.69; 9. Anna Emilie Møller (Den) 9:26.96; 10. Irene Sánchez (Spa) 9:27.53 PR; 11. Geneviève Lalonde (Can) 9:31.07; 12. Camilla Richardsson (Fin) 9:39.85; 13. Elizabeth Bird (GB) 9:50.97; 14. Mel Lawrence (US) 9:53.61; 15. Rosie Clarke (GB) 9:54.25; 16. Aimee Pratt (GB) 9:58.68.
100H(-0.2): 1. Danielle Williams (Jam) 12.46; 2. Keni Harrison (US) 12.66; 3. Tobi Amusan (Ngr) 12.71; 4. Nia Ali (US) 12.73; 5. Janeek Brown (Jam) 12.79; 6. Brianna McNeal (US) 12.90; 7. Chadwick 12.92; 8. Tiffani McReynolds (US) 13.16.
Field Events
PV: 1. Katerína Stefanídi (Gre) 15-7 (4.75) (14-11, 15-3, 15-7 [3], 15-11 [xpp]) (4.55, 4.65, 4.75 [3], 4.85 [xpp]); 2. Alysha Newman (Can) 15-3 (4.65); 3. tie, Yarisley Silva (Cub) & Jenn Suhr (US) 15-3; 5. Michaela Meijer (Swe) 14-11 (4.55); 6. Holly Bradshaw (GB) 14-11; 7. tie, Angelica Bengtsson (Swe) & Katie Nageotte (US) 14-11 (4.55);… nh—Rosbeilys Peinado (Ven).
LJ: 1. Nafi Thiam (Bel) 22-6¼ (6.86) NR (21-1½, 22-1½ NR, 22-6¼, 21-10¼, 21-4¾, f) (6.44, 6.74, 6.86, 6.66, 6.52, f); 2. Ivana Španović (Ser) 22-5¾ (6.85) (21-11¾, 22-3, 22-5¾, 22-1¾, f) (6.70, 6.78, 6.85, 6.75, f); 3. Katarina Johnson-Thompson (GB) 22-5¾ (6.85) (f, f, 22-1½, f, 21-9, 22-5¾) (f, f, 6.74, f, 6.63, 6.85); 4. Abigail Irozuru (GB) 22-1¾ (6.75); 5. Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk (Ukr) 21-10¾ (6.67); 6. Yelena Sokolova (Rus) 21-10¾; 7. Lorraine Ugen (GB) 21-8¼ (6.61); 8. Sha’Keela Saunders (US) 20-6½ (6.26).
DT: 1. Yaimé Pérez (Cub) 212-10 (64.87); 2. Denia Caballero (Cub) 211-11 (64.59); 3. Sandra Perković (Cro) 209-4 (63.80); 4. Kristin Pudenz (Ger) 208-10 (63.67); 5. Claudine Vita (Ger) 205-10 (62.74); 6. Valarie Allman (US) 201-6 (61.42); 7. Andressa de Morais (Bra) 198-8 (60.57); 8. Nadine Müller (Ger) 196-10 (60.00); 9. Mélina Robert-Michon (Fra) 189-2 (57.67); 10. Whitney Ashley (US) 186-11 (56.98). ◻︎
