LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND, August 22 — For 2-time world shot champion Chase Jackson, the first post-Olympic DL meet was an opportunity to begin finding redemption. Devastated by her inability to hit her marks and make the Paris final, she looked for some assurance that she still knew how to compete.
She found it and more, taking control of the competition with her first throw, 64-9¾ (19.75), and then on her third effort rocketing the ball beyond the white arc all the way to a world-leading 67-8¾ (20.64), the No. 2 throw in U.S. history, second only to her own American Record.
Jackson left gold medalist Yemisi Ogunleye far behind in 2nd at 64-1¾ (19.55). Saying she didn’t take any time off after Paris, Jackson added, “I just went straight back to training. My goal is to win another world title and keep pushing myself. I know I can go further, much further, so I’m working hard on my technique.”
The American wasn’t the only one looking to assuage their self-esteem after a rough Olympics. Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith didn’t make the 100 final in Paris. Despite none of the medalists being on the line here, she must have felt a sense of atonement in blistering a season best 10.88 to dominate a field including Tamari Davis (10.97), Mujinga Kambundji (11.06) and Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith (11.07).
“After the Olympics I took some time to refocus and now I’m just enjoying running, feeling fit and injury free,” she said.
Kenya’s Mary Moraa, unhappy with her bronze at the Games, looked to get back to winning, something the world champion hadn’t done since the Doha DL. She followed the rabbit through a 56.84, then as the pacer dropped, OT champion Nia Akins forced her way alongside the Kenyan on the inside and battled with her down the backstretch before taking the lead on the final turn.
The upset wasn’t to be, as the pack soon crowded behind Akins. Moraa launched an effective sprint on the straight to win in 1:57.91. Brits Georgia Bell (1:58.53) and Jemma Reekie (1:58.73) followed, as Akins imploded to 10th in 2:00.00. “I executed it well,” said Moraa succinctly.
Bronze medalists also took both hurdles races. In the 100H, new pro Grace Stark got out quickly and led for most of the distance before the fast finish of Tokyo champ Jasmine Camacho-Quinn caught her, 12.35–12.38. Ackera Nugent came up for 3rd in 12.38, her fastest time since the Jamaican Trials, and Nadine Visser crossed 4th in 12.49.
“Even though I didn’t feel like I was running all out, I’m still winning and running great so I’ll take it,” said Camacho-Quinn.
The 400H belonged to world champion Femke Bol, who had to be patient as Rushell Clayton got out fast in an effort to steal the race. It wasn’t until the last two hurdles that Bol claimed the win, setting a meet record 52.25 over the Jamaican (53.32). “I’m still in great shape,” Bol said, “with no injuries or sickness, which is really positive.”
In the 3000, a lightning-fast finish after Tsige Gebreselama led through a 5:38.78 for 2K and delivered a world-leading 8:21.50 to teammate Diribe Welteji, who led a parade of PRs. Kenya’s Janeth Chepngetich (8:23.48) and Gebreselama (8:24.40) took the next two places. Behind them Elise Cranny fought to stay close, and was rewarded with a PR 8:25.10, an outdoor American Record, and No. 3 U.S. mark ever, in/out. Said Welteji, the Olympic 1500 4th-placer, “The crowd was big and I heard it a lot when I raced, I was happy at the end.”
In the high jump, Olympic champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh stayed on top of her event, with a clean clearance at 6-6¼ (1.99) before going out at 6-8 (2.03). Australians Eleanor Patterson 6-5 (1.96) and Nicola Olyslagers (6-3½/1.92) took the next two spots.
“Even though I made a few mistakes,” said the winner, “I’m happy to have competed here and show the strong power of Ukrainians.”
LAUSANNE WOMEN’S RESULTS
100(-0.4): 1. Dina Asher-Smith (GB) 10.88; 2. Tamari Davis (US) 10.97; 3. Mujinga Kambundji (Swi) 11.06; 4. Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith (CI) 11.07; 5. Tia Clayton (Jam) 11.10; 6. Gina Lückenkemper (Ger) 11.19; 7. Daryll Neita (GB) 11.20.
800: 1. Mary Moraa (Ken) 1:57.91; 2. Georgia Bell (GB) 1:58.53; 3. Jemma Reekie (GB) 1:58.73; 4. Halimah Nakaayi (Uga) 1:58.90; 5. Renelle Lamote (Fra) 1:59.13; 6. Shafiqua Maloney (StV) 1:59.28; 7. Audrey Werro (Swi) 1:59.31; 8. Natoya Goule-Toppin (Jam) 1:59.68; 9. Rachel Pellaud (Swi) 1:59.89; 10. Nia Akins (US) 2:00.00; 11. Allie Wilson (US) 2:00.35;… rabbit—Aneta Lemiesz (Pol) (56.84).
3000: 1. Diribe Welteji (Eth) 8:21.50 PR (out WL) (68.1, 67.1 [2:15.2], 68.5 [3:23.7], 67.9 [4:31.6], 67.4 [5:39.0], 68.1 [6:47.1], 65.1 [7:52.2], 29.3) (14.5);
2. Janeth Chepngetich (Ken) 8:23.48 PR; 3. Tsige Gebreselama (Eth) 8:24.40 PR (5:38.78);
4. Elise Cranny (US) 8:25.10 out AR (old out AR 8:25.83 Mary Slaney [AW] ’84) (3, 3 A) (67.9, 68.1 [2:16.0], 68.2 [3:24.2], 2:15.3 [5:39.5], 68.1 [6:47.6], 65.7 [7:53.3], 31.8) (15.7);
5. Georgia Griffith (Aus) 8:31.91; 6. Nathalie Blomqvist (Fin) 8:32.33; 7. Karissa Schweizer (US) 8:34.96 PR; 8. Hirut Meshesha (Eth) 8:42.92 PR; 9. Margaret Ekidor (Ken) 8:43.81; 10. Joselyn Daniely Brea (Ven) 8:43.99;… rabbit—Sarah Billings (Aus) (2:49.11).
100H(-0.9): 1. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PR) 12.35; 2. Grace Stark (US) 12.38; 3. Ackera Nugent (Jam) 12.38; 4. Nadine Visser (Neth) 12.49; 5. Danielle Williams (Jam) 12.53; 6. Alaysha Johnson (US) 12.59; 7. Cyrena Samba-Mayela (Fra) 12.69; 8. Ditaji Kambundji (Swi) 12.75.
400H: 1. Femke Bol (Neth) 52.25; 2. Rushell Clayton (Jam) 53.32; 3. Janieve Russell (Jam) 54.48; 4. Andrenette Knight (Jam) 54.93; 5. Ayomide Folorunso (Ita) 55.08; 6. Paulien Couckuyt (Bel) 55.53; 7. Cathelijn Peeters (Neth) 56.28; 8. Shamier Little (US) 58.57.
Non-DL 4 x 100: 1. Great Britain 42.03 (Dina Asher-Smith, Desiree Henry, Bianca Williams, Amy Hunt); 2. Switzerland 42.16; 3. Netherlands 42.83; 4. Switzerland 44.04; 5. Austria 44.76; 6. Portugal 45.75.
Field Events
HJ: 1. Yaroslava Mahuchikh (Ukr) 6-6¼ (1.99) (6-3½, 6-5, 6-6¼, 6-8 [xxx]) (1.92, 1.96, 1.99, 2.03 [xxx]); 2. Eleanor Patterson (Aus) 6-5 (1.96); 3. Nicola Olyslagers (Aus) 6-3½ (1.92); 4. Christina Honsel (Ger) 6-3½; 5. tie, Iryna Gerashchenko (Ukr) & Safina Sadullayeva (Uzb) 6-2 (1.88); 7. Lamara Distin (Jam) 6-2.
SP: 1. Chase Jackson (US) 67-8¾ (20.64) (x, 2 A) (64-9¾, 62-10½, 67-8¾, 66-2¼, f, 61-11½) (19.75, 19.16, 20.64, 20.17, f, 18.88);
2. Yemisi Ogunleye (Ger) 64-1¾ (19.55); 3. Sarah Mitton (Can) 64-½ (19.52); 4. Raven Saunders (US) 62-7¼ (19.08); 5. Danniel Thomas-Dodd (Jam) 61-7½ (18.78); 6. Maddie Wesche (NZ) 61-2¾ (18.66); 7. Maggie Ewen (US) 61-¼ (18.60); 8. Alina Kenzel (Ger) 58-10¾ (17.95); 9. Adelaide Aquilla (US) 57-9¾ (17.62).
