Shanghai, China, May 12—Brianna McNeal set a meet record as Americans blocked out the top 4 spots in the 100H at the Shanghai Diamond League meeting.
The Olympic champion won in 12.50, one of five meet bests set on the second stop of the ’18 IAAF Diamond League circuit, which also witnessed a bevy of yearly world leads.
Running in lane 4, alongside World Record holder Kendra Harrison, McNeal was behind early, as Harrison got into her running the quickest. Sharika Nelvis then pulled ahead through the middle phase.
But McNeal, who was 2nd to Harrison in Doha last week, strode well off the final barrier and dipped to beat Nelvis, the USATF indoor champ, by 0.02. A fading Harrison (12.56) was 3rd—ending a streak of 11 Diamond League victories—and Jazmin Stowers (12.71) 4th.
“I feel great. It was an intense competition. The other athletes are very strong. It was a big motivation to win the gold medal after silver in Doha,” said McNeal, who was unbothered by Shanghai’s rainy, humid conditions.
Another U.S. Olympic gold medalist won over the barriers. Although Dalilah Muhammad’s 53.77 win in the 1-lapper was not among the meet records, it was her season’s best in a tough test; Jamaica’s newly-crowned Commonwealth champion, Janieve Russell, pushed Muhammad in the closing yards, but was 0.01 slower to the line.
“I didn’t think I’d taken the race and I was relieved to have won,” Muhammad said. “To be honest, I wouldn’t have minded either way… I’m pleased to run so quickly early in the season.”
In the men’s 110H, Omar McLeod got his campaign up and running by winning in a list-leading 13.16. McLeod admitted to being nervous lining up against a field that included WR holder Aries Merritt and reigning Diamond League champion Sergey Shubenkov. The Jamaican star had suffered an injury-disrupted start to the year and hadn’t raced over hurdles yet.
But it was Orlando Ortega who provided the stiffest challenge to the Olympic and world champion. Ortega finished strongly to chase down the fast-starting McLeod, who dipped well to edge out the Spaniard by 0.01.
On the flat, Steven Gardiner followed his Doha world lead with another 400 win, this time in a meet record 43.99. Defending DL champion Isaac Makwala (44.23) was 2nd ahead of Abdalelah Haroun (44.51), while reigning U.S. No. 1 Fred Kerley (44.71) was 4th.
Gardiner’s fellow Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo won the women’s 200. Miller-Uibo, who claimed Diamond Trophies in both the half-lap and quartermile distances in ’17, held the lead off the bend and pulled away from 2-time world champ Dafne Schippers (22.34) for a dominant meeting record 22.06.
There was a popular home winner in the women’s javelin. Lyu Huihui went out to 219‑4 (66.85) in the third round, coping well with the slick conditions as the rain began to fall heavily.
The was another Chinese victor in the shot, as reigning DL queen Lijiao Gong put on a show. Any of her four recorded marks would have sealed the win, but her second-round 65-7 (19.99) was the pick. That world-leading put was more than a meter better than Jamaican Danniel Thomas-Dodd (61-4¼/18.70).
American Raven Saunders, in her Diamond League debut, was 3rd with 61-1½ (18.63). “I just have to fix some things. You can expect a lot coming season,” said the new pro, who missed a few weeks of training earlier in spring.
Another MR came in the men’s 800, which provided a thrilling finish as Kenya’s Wycliffe Kinyamal pipped his compatriot Jonathan Kitilit, who had led at 600m, by 0.04 to win in a PR 1:43.91.
Commonwealth champ Kinyamal, just 20, hails from the same village as 2-time Olympic champion David Rudisha, and said after his DL debut: “He was always my example. Now I take over.”
Kenyans also took the honours in the men’s 1500 and women’s steeple, both in world-leading times.
Timothy Cheruiyot, reigning Diamond League champion, timed his move perfectly over the last 200 to win ahead of Ethiopia’s world indoor 1500 champ Samuel Tefera in 3:31.48.
Later, Beatrice Chepkoech profited from the misfortune of Norah Jeruto, who slipped dramatically after the final steeplechase barrier.
The Kenyan duo slugged it out at the front of from the get-go of the non-ranking race. Jeruto looked strong—perhaps the strongest—until her footing went on the wet track as she attempted to kick for the line on the inside. It allowed Chepkoech to cruise to a world leading 9:07.27 win, Jeruto picking herself up for 2nd.
In the night’s distance event—a non-DL 5000—Paul Chelimo led through most of the bell lap, only for his form to falter with the line beckoning. As America’s Olympic silver medalist stumbled, Bahrain’s Birhanu Yemataw beat him by 0.02 with a dip to record a world-leading 13:09.64.
A pair of world leads also came in the horizontal jumps. After fouling his opening two efforts, South Africa’s Luvo Manyonga sailed out to 28-1 (8.56) in round 6 to ensure victory over Yuhua Shi, who had earlier led with a PR 27-8 (8.43).
The day ended badly for Shi, who hurt his foot badly on his final attempt and had to be stretchered out.
Caterine Ibargüen showed her best is far from behind her. The 34-year-old Olympic triple jump champion surrendered her Diamond League title last year but returned in Shanghai, winning with 48-6¾ (14.80).
A short-of-her-best Mariya Lasitskene was still a cut above the rest in the women’s high jump. Though Mirela Demireva briefly led after clearing 6-4¼ (1.94) first time, Lasitskene—who had three failures across earlier heights—sailed over an outdoor-WL 6-5½ (1.97) first time to win. That took the world champion’s burgeoning win streak to 39.
In the men’s vault Sam Kendricks could only make one bar, the world champion clearing 17-11 (5.46) but nothing else. Renaud Lavillenie, whose 7-year DL title streak was ended by Kendricks last year, coped best in the wet conditions, clearing 19-¾ (5.81). The American ended up 9th, matching the lowest finish of his pro career.
In the night’s last action, Reece Prescod surprised in the 100. China’s Bingtian Su smashed out of the blocks for an early lead but couldn’t sustain his pace. The lithely-built Briton hit his stride in the last third to win in 10.04, edging Su by 0.01. World champ Justin Gatlin (10.20) was never in the race and finished 7th.
SHANGHAI DL MEN’S RESULTS
Diamond League II; Shanghai, China, May 12—
100(-0.5): 1. Reece Prescod (GB) 10.04; 2. Bingtian Su (Chn) 10.05; 3. Zhenye Xie (Chn) 10.17; 4. Chijindu Ujah (GB) 10.18; 5. Isiah Young (US) 10.18; 6. Ramil Guliyev (Tur) 10.20; 7. Justin Gatlin (US) 10.20; 8. Andre De Grasse (Can) 10.25; 9. Yoshihide Kiryu (Jpn) 10.26.
400: 1. Steven Gardiner (Bah) 43.99; 2. Isaac Makwala (Bot) 44.23; 3. Abdalelah Haroun (Qat) 44.51; 4. Fred Kerley (US) 44.71; 5. Christian Taylor (US) 45.24; 6. Michael Cherry (US) 45.60; 7. Vernon Norwood (US) 45.82; 8. Zhongze Guo (Chn) 47.04; 9. Javon Francis (Jam) 47.06.
800: 1. Wycliffe Kinyamal (Ken) 1:43.91 PR; 2. Jonathan Kitilit (Ken) 1:43.95 (1:17.78); 3. Marcin Lewandowski (Pol) 1:45.41; 4. Antoine Gakeme (Bur) 1:45.73; 5. Brandon McBride (Can) 1:45.78; 6. Clayton Murphy (US) 1:45.97; 7. Andrew Osagie (GB) 1:46.36; 8. Ryhardt van Rensburg (SA) 1:46.57; 9. Solomon Lekuta (Ken) 1:47.51; 10. Drew Windle (US) 1:47.77;… rabbit—Bram Som (Neth) (51.20).
1500: 1. Timothy Cheruiyot (Ken) 3:31.48 (WL); 2. Samuel Tefera (Eth) 3:31.63 PR (WJL) (7, x WJ) (2:51.38);
3. Abdelaati Iguider (Mor) 3:32.72; 4. Charles Simotwo (Ken) 3:33.54; 5. Justus Soget (Ken) 3:34.33; 6. Aman Wote (Eth) 3:34.43; 7. Thiago André (Bra) 3:35.40; 8. Bethwel Birgen (Ken) 3:35.95; 9. Vincent Kibet (Ken) 3:36.44; 10. Ryan Gregson (Aus) 3:36.94; 11. Kumari Taki (Ken) 3:37.66;… rabbit—Cornelius Kiplangat (Ken) (55.08, 58.11 [1:53.19]).
Non-DL 5000: 1. Birhanu Yemataw (Bhr) 13:09.64 (WL); 2. Paul Chelimo (US) 13:09.66 (AL); 3. Stanley Mburu Waithaka (Ken) 13:10.14 PR (WJL);
4. Cyrus Rutto (Ken) 13:10.79; 5. Muktar Edris (Eth) 13:10.98; 6. Nibret Melak Bogale (Eth) 13:10.99 PR; 7. Abadi Hadis (Eth) 13:11.04;
8. Albert Rop (Bhr) 13:12.72; 9. Davis Kiplangat (Ken) 13:13.55 PR (10:39.33); 10. Stephen Kissa (Uga) 13:25.40; 11. Stewart McSweyn (Aus) 13:31.97;… dnf—Conseslus Kipruto (Ken);… rabbits—Tamás Kazi (Hun) (2:35.88), Vincent Letting (Ken) (5:13.26), Cornelius Kangogo (Ken) (7:53.17).
110H(0.2): 1. Omar McLeod (Jam) 13.16 (=WL);
2. Orlando Ortega (Spa) 13.17; 3. Sergey Shubenkov (Rus) 13.27; 4. Ronald Levy (Jam) 13.33; 5. Hansle Parchment (Jam) 13.48; 6. Aries Merritt (US) 13.65; 7. Garfield Darien (Fra) 13.74; 8. Jianhang Zeng (Chn) 13.76 PR; 9. Aurel Manga (Fra) 13.86.
Non-DL 4 x 100: 1. China 38.86.
Field Events
PV: 1. Renaud Lavillenie (Fra) 19-¾ (5.81) (18-8¾ [2], 19-¾ [2], 19-2¾ [xxx]) (5.71 [2], 5.81 [2], 5.86 [xxx]); 2. Piotr Lisek (Pol) 19-¾ (17-11, 18-8¾ [3], 19-¾ [2], 19-2¾ [xxx]) (5.46, 5.71 [3], 5.81 [2], 5.86 [xxx]); 3. Changrui Xue (Chn) 18-8¾ (5.71); 4. Kurtis Marschall (Aus) 18-8¾; 5. tie, Shawn Barber (Can) & Jie Yao (Chn) 18-4¾ (5.61); 7. Raphael Nethzdeppe (Ger) 18-4¾; 8. Bokai Huang (Chn) 18-4¾ PR; 9. Sam Kendricks (US) 17-11 (5.46); 10. Menno Vloon (Neth) 17-11; 11. Paweł Wojciechowski (Pol) 17-5 (5.31).
LJ: 1. Luvo Manyonga (SA) 28-1 (8.56) (WL) (f, f, 26-7¼, 27-8 [=lo-alt out WL], f, 28-1) (f, f, 8.11, 8.43, f, 8.56); 2. Yuhao Shi (Chn) 27-8 (8.43) PR (26-¼, 27-8 [lo-alt out WL], 26-3¾, f, 26-11¼, f) (7.93, 8.43, 8.02, f, 8.21, f);
3. Henry Frayne (Aus) 26-9 (8.15); 4. Jeffrey Henderson (US) 26-7¼ (8.11); 5. Changzhou Huang (Chn) 26-4¼ (8.03); 6. Xinglong Gao (Chn) 26-3 (8.00); 7. Damar Forbes (Jam) 26-2¾ (7.99); 8. Mike Hartfield (US) 25-10¼ (7.88); 9. Jarvis Gotch (US) 18-10 (5.74).
SHANGHAI WOMEN’S RESULTS
200(-0.4): 1. Shaunae Miller-Uibo (Bah) 22.06; 2. Dafne Schippers (Neth) 22.34; 3. Shericka Jackson (Jam) 22.36; 4. Marie Josée Ta Lou (CI) 22.58; 5. Mujinga Kambundji (Swi) 22.72; 6. Jenna Prandini (US) 23.02; 7. Kyra Jefferson (US) 23.05; 8. Deajah Stevens (US) 23.05.
Non-DL St: 1. Beatrice Chepkoech (Ken) 9:07.27 (WL) (6:02.18);
2. Norah Tanui (Ken) 9:09.30; 3. Daisy Jepkemei (Ken) 9:15.56 PR; 4. Rosefline Chepngetich (Ken) 9:21.05 PR; 5. Purity Kirui (Ken) 9:21.34; 6. Joan Chepkemoi (Ken) 9:22.85;
7. Peruth Chemutai (Uga) 9:22.94 PR (7, x WJ);
8. Winfred Yavi (Bhr) 9:44.02; 9. Caren Chebet (Ken) 9:46.58 PR; 10. Fancy Cherono (Ken) 9:47.48; 11. Ann Gathoni (Ken) 9:47.71; 12. Birtukan Adamu (Eth) 9:48.38; 13. Shuangshuang Xu (Chn) 9:55.56 PR; 14. Maritu Ketema (Eth) 10:05.61; 15. Sarah Pease (US) 10:08.39;… rabbit—Viktória Gyurkes (Hun) (2:57.36).
100H(0.9): 1. Brianna McNeal (US) 12.50; 2. Sharika Nelvis (US) 12.52; 3. Kendra Harrison (US) 12.56; 4. Jasmin Stowers (US) 12.71; 5. Isabelle Pedersen (Nor) 12.76; 6. Nadine Visser (Neth) 12.81; 7. Cindy Roleder (Ger) 12.81; 8. Dawn Harper-Nelson (US) 12.94; 9. Shuijiao Wu (Chn) 13.08.
400H: 1. Dalilah Muhammad (US) 53.77; 2. Janieve Russell (Jam) 53.78 PR; 3. Sage Watson (Can) 55.23; 4. Wenda Nel (SA) 55.63; 5. Joanna Linkiewicz (Pol) 55.84; 6. Leah Nugent (Jam) 56.54; 7. Xia Xiao (Chn) 58.48; 8. Georganne Moline (US) 59.51.
Non-DL 4 x 100: 1. China 43.51.
Field Events
HJ: 1. Mariya Lasitskene (Rus) 6-5½ (1.97) (out WL) (5-10¾, 6-¾ [2], 6-2, 6-3¼ [2], 6-4¼ [2], 6-5½, 6-6¾ [xxx]) (1.80, 1.85 [2], 1.88, 1.91 [2], 1.94 [2], 1.97, 2.00 [xxx]);
2. Mirela Demireva (Bul) 6-4¼ (1.94); 3. Marie-Laurence Jungfleisch (Ger) 6-2 (1.88); 4. tie, Oksana Okuneva (Ukr) & Levern Spencer (StL) 6-¾ (1.85); 6. tie, Yang Wang (Chn) & Alyx Treasure (Can) 6-¾; 8. Kateryna Tabashnyk (Ukr) 6-¾ (1.85); 9. Inika McPherson (US) 5-10¾ (1.80); 10. Erika Kinsey (Swe) 5-10¾ (1.80).
TJ: 1. Caterine Ibargüen (Col) 48-6¾ (14.80) (WL) (46-7½, 47-2¼, 48-1¼ [WL], 47-5, 47-9¾, 48-6¾) (14.21, 14.38, 14.66, 14.45, 14.57, 14.80);
2. Shanieka Ricketts (Jam) 47-9 (14.55); 3. Kimberly Williams (Jam) 47-1 (14.35); 4. Rouguy Diallo (Fra) 46-7½ (14.21) PR; 5. Hanna Minenko (Isr) 46-6¾ (14.19); 6. Viktoriya Prokopenko (Rus) 45-8½ (13.93); 7. Dovilė Dzindzaletaitė (Lit) 45-½ (13.73); 8. Anna Jagaciak Michalska (Pol) 44-10¼ (13.67).
SP: 1. Lijiao Gong (Chn) 65-7 (19.99) (WL) (63-2¾, 65-7, 65-2¼, f, f, 65-1½) (19.27, 19.99, 19.87, f, f, 19.85);
2. Danniel Thomas-Dodd (Jam) 61-4¼ (18.70); 3. Raven Saunders (US) 61-1½ (18.63); 4. Yulia Leantsiuk (Blr) 60-5¼ (18.42); 5. Paulina Guba (Pol) 59-10½ (18.25) PR; 6. Anita Márton (Hun) 59-7 (18.16); 7. Yang Gao (Chn) 59-5½ (18.12); 8. Valerie Adams (NZ) 59-1¼ (18.01); 9. Melissa Boekelman (Neth) 56-1¾ (17.11); 10. Tianqian Guo (Chn) 55-11¼ (17.05); 11. Dani Hill (US) 54-4½ (16.57).
JT: 1. Huihui Lu (Chn) 219-4 (66.85) (211-3, 216-2, 219-4, 199-7, 212-4, 217-5) (64.39, 65.88, 66.85, 60.83, 64.73, 66.26); 2. Marcelina Witek (Pol) 211-7 (64.49) PR; 3. Eda Tuğsuz (Tur) 207-4 (63.20); 4. Tatsiana Khaladovich (Blr) 203-11 (62.15); 5. Liz Gleadle (Can) 201-10 (61.53); 6. Sunette Viljoen (SA) 199-5 (60.79); 7. Katharina Molitor (Ger) 194-10 (59.38); 8. Kelsey Barber (Aus) 188-6 (57.47); 9. Martina Ratej (Slo) 185-3 (56.46).□
