OSLO, NORWAY, June 12 — After racing at a variety of distances this year, Olympic century champ Julien Alfred made her season debut in the 100 as the DL circuit hit Oslo.
The St. Lucian ran an effortless-looking 10.89 (wind: 1.1), well ahead of Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith (11.00) and Dina Asher-Smith (11.08) at the Bislett Games. “It was my first [100] race of the season so I was a little rusty but I got the win under my belt which is the main thing,” said Alfred, who struck gold in Paris last summer. “As for my season, I am Olympic champion so I am the one to beat, but I really want to add world champion to my name as well.”
In the 400, Bella Whittaker (49.58) stormed home in the final 50m to edge local favorite Henriette Jæger (49.62 NR), who ran an aggressive race and fell at the line just as the NCAA Indoor champ snuck by.
“I was hoping for a fight like that and I had a good feeling I was going to race well tonight, I enjoyed digging deep,” said Whittaker, a Penn grad who finished up her collegiate eligibility at Arkansas this winter. “It is my first time here in Oslo and this is actually my first-ever international meet, so it was very exciting.”
Faith Cherotich prevailed over Winfred Yavi in a thrilling homestretch duel in the steeplechase, clocking a world-leading 9:02.60 to the Olympic champion’s 9:02.76.
“My target for this season is to win the world title but also, I want to run good races,” said the Kenyan, who now has a 3-meet win streak over Yavi dating back to last September. “For now, I need to do well in my training and keep running well towards the World Championships. There are many of us who have the same ambitions. But I am going to fight and I will do all my best to achieve my goal.”
Tunisia’s Marwa Bouzayani hung with the leaders until the final lap and finished 3rd in 9:06.84. Courtney Wayment was the top American, finishing 6th in 9:13.65.
Dalilah Muhammad’s farewell tour continued with another impressive showing. The ’16 Olympic 400H champion, now 35, was completely unchallenged, winning in 53.34, her fastest since ’22. She finished more than a second ahead of Emma Zapletalová (54.44).
“I was hoping for a faster time but a win is a win so I’m happy enough,” said Muhammad. “The season so far is going really well. I feel fit and strong, and everything is coming together nicely in training so I am very pleased. Now, I need to prepare for the U.S. Champs, that is always a really big deal so it’s important to be sharp and ready for that, which I believe I will be.”
Anna Hall, fresh off her massive 7032 heptathlon in Götzis, was in good position before hitting the final hurdle and crashing to the track. She got up and walked across the line in 68.99. “Blessed to be 100% healthy,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “Sorry for the scare.”
Sitting in 4th after four rounds, Olympic javelin champion Haruka Kitaguchi threw 212-0 (64.63) in the fifth round to steal the lead from Adriana Vilagoš, who had produced a 209-3 (63.78) on her third effort.
“I managed to throw the best in the last throw many times in the past, so I was very confident with that situation,” said Kitaguchi, who hopes to defend her world title on home soil in Japan in September. “I had a bit of less training due to the injury but I am back in shape. I think to come back with 64m, it is not a bad thing.”
World indoor triple jump champ Leyanis Pérez of Cuba hit 48-3½ (14.72) in the fourth frame, to take the lead. Jasmine Moore moved into 2nd in the fifth round with a 47-3½ (14.41), but was passed in the final stanza by Shanieka Ricketts, who reached 47-9¾ (14.57). Olympic champion Thea LaFond was back in 5th at 46-9½ (14.26).
The night before the main program, 18-year-old Ethiopian Yenawa Nbret won the 10,000 in 30:38.82, moving to No. 3 on the all-time U20 list. Kenyan Miriam Chebet (30:32.90) took 2nd.
OSLO DL WOMEN’S RESULTS
100(1.1): 1. Julien Alfred (StL) 10.89; 2. Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith (CI) 11.00; 3. Dina Asher-Smith (GB) 11.08; 4. Patrizia van der Weken (Lux) 11.16; 5. Maia McCoy (Lbr) 11.16; 6. Gina Lückenkemper (Ger) 11.16; 7. Daryll Neita (GB) 11.20.
400: 1. Bella Whittaker (US) 49.58 out PR; 2. Henriette Jæger (Nor) 49.62 NR; 3. Amber Anning (GB) 50.24; 4. Rhasidat Adeleke (Ire) 50.42; 5. Lieke Klaver (Neth) 50.64; 6. Natalia Bukowiecka (Pol) 50.67; 7. Paula Sevilla (Spa) 50.92 PR.
St: 1. Faith Cherotich (Ken) 9:02.60 (WL) (6:06.32);
2. Winfred Yavi (Bhr) 9:02.76; 3. Marwa Bouzayani (Tun) 9:06.84; 4. Lea Meyer (Ger) 9:09.21 PR; 5. Lomi Muleta (Eth) 9:13.44; 6. Courtney Wayment (US) 9:13.65 (AL);… 8. Gabrielle Jennings (US) 9:20.85; 9. Val Constien (US) 9:32.87;… 11. Olivia Markezich (US) 9:36.92.
10,000: 1. Yenawa Kefale (Eth) 30:28.82 (WL) PR (3, 3 WJ) (15:16.39, 24:23.74, 27:29.63);
2. Miriam Chebet (Ken) 30:32.90 (18:21.29); 3. Chalt Dida (Eth) 30:33.86 PR; 4. Rose Davies (Aus) 30:34.11 NR (21:19.22); 5. Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal (Nor) 30:41.66 PR; 6. Calli Hauger-Thackery (GB) 30:50.64 PR; 7. Isobel Batt-Doyle (Aus) 30:51.27 PR;… rabbit—Eleanor Fulton (US) (3:03.76, 6:05.61, 9:08.72, 12:11.76).
400H: 1. Dalilah Muhammad (US) 53.34; 2. Emma Zapletalová (Svk) 54.44; 3. Gianna Woodruff (Pan) 54.45; 4. Ayomide Folorunso (Ita) 55.03; 5. Sarah Carli (Aus) 55.13; 6. Amalie Hammild Iuel (Nor) 55.65;… 8. Anna Hall (US) 1:08.99 (fell at last hurdle).
Field Events
TJ: 1. Leyanis Pérez (Cub) 48-3½ (14.72) (out WL) (f, 46-6¼, 48-3½, f, p, p) (f, 14.18, 14.72, f, p, p);
2. Shanieka Ricketts (Jam) 47-9¾ (14.57) (46-1¼, 47-3, f, f, f, 47-9¾) (14.05, 14.40, f, f, f, 14.57);
3. Jasmine Moore (US) 47-3½ (14.41) (AL) (f, 46-1¼, 46-2¾, 46-4w, 47-3½, f) (f, 14.05, 14.09, 14.12w, 14.41, f);
4. Liadagmis Povea (Cub) 46-11½ (14.31); 5. Thea LaFond (Dom) 46-9½ (14.26); 6. Ackelia Smith (Jam) 46-9½ (14.26); 7. Maja Åskag (Swe) 45-2¼ (13.77).
JT: 1. Haruka Kitaguchi (Jpn) 212-0 (64.63); 2. Adriana Vilagoš (Ser) 209-3 (63.78); 3. Jo-Ané Du Plessis (SA) 205-11 (62.77); 4. Elína Tzénggo (Gre) 205-5 (62.61); 5. Mackenzie Little (Aus) 196-5 (59.86); 6. Sigrid Borge (Nor) 193-10 (59.09); 7. Sara Kolak (Cro) 182-0 (55.49); 8. Flor Dennis Ruiz (Col) 179-0 (54.57).
