LONDON, ENGLAND, July 17 — Keely Hodgkinson and Matthew Hudson-Smith gave the local crowd much to cheer about at the London Athletics Meet, the tenth stop on this year’s Diamond League circuit. Both Brits had record-breaking performances that will surely give them major confidence boosts ahead of the Olympics. And, never one to be overshadowed, American Noah Lyles won the 100 in spectacular fashion to close out the session at London Stadium.
In the 800, Hodgkinson broke her own British record with a powerful 1:54.61, moving to No. 6 on the all-time list. After keeping the ambitious rabbit (55.58) within her sights, Hodgkinson (56.5) dispatched tenacious countrywoman Jemma Reekie (1:55.61 PR) down the homestretch. In 3rd, Georgia Bell (1:56.28) also contributed to the day’s major revisions of the U.K. all-time list.
Hodgkinson, who has finished 2nd at the last three global championships (’21 Olympics, ’22 and ’23 Worlds), credited “the best crowd I’ve ever run in front of,” for the breakthrough. “I just wanted to go for it and see what was there. It was a little bit of bravery and fearlessness with a great atmosphere like this, I didn’t want to waste the opportunity.”
Back in 7th, Allie Wilson lowered her PR to 1:57.52, making her the No. 12 American all-time.
In the 400, Hudson-Smith went out hard, passing 200 in 20.96 and 300 in 31.71. He continued to look strong down the homestretch, winning in 43.74 to dominate the competition. That obliterated the European Record of 44.07 he set in Oslo in May.
“To get that world lead and to set myself up for Paris is what I really needed to show the rest of the world what I am capable of,” said Hudson-Smith, the silver medalist in Budapest last summer. “Before today I wrote on a paper that I was going to run 43.7… All I had to do was go out there and show it, not blow it at the beginning.”
American Vernon Norwood (44.10) took 0.16 off his PR to take 2nd place ahead of Jereem Richards (44.18).
The flamboyant Lyles won the 100 in a lifetime best 9.81, passing Letsile Tebogo at 70m for a smooth win. Akani Simbine (9.86) also closed well to edge Tebogo (9.88) for 2nd.
Lyles, whose previous best was the pair of 9.83s he clocked to win last year’s world title and this year’s Olympic Trials, took sole possession of the No. 7 slot on the U.S. all-time list. “The pieces are definitely coming together, and even the wind was against me today,” he said of the slight 0.3 breeze in their faces. “If we’re running this fast with a negative wind, I’m ready for anything.”
A week removed from her PR of 50.95, Femke Bol won the 400H in 51.30 (the No. 4 clocking of all-time) after surging away from the field on the final curve. Shamier Little (52.78) passed Rushell Clayton (53.24) after the last barrier.
The much-hyped Olympic showdown with World Record-holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is certainly on Bol’s mind. “I am working on my opening and getting to that first hurdle,” the Dutch star said. “I am excited for Paris and of course put on my best race there and I am looking forward to racing Sydney; that will push us both.”
In the flat 400, NCAA champ Nickisha Pryce lowered her Jamaican Record to 48.57, a world-leading time that held off the Polish record of Natalia Kaczmarek (48.90). Lieke Klaver lowered her PR to 49.58 in 3rd as the first 5 broke 50.00.
In the 200, Gabby Thomas was well behind coming off the turn, but closed furiously, passing early leader Dina Asher-Smith at 180 meters and then Julien Alfred steps before the line to win in 21.82. Alfred (21.86) was rewarded with a St. Lucian record, while ’19 world champ Asher-Smith (22.07) held 3rd ahead of Daryll Neita (22.20).
“All things considered, hopping off the plane and coming into this stadium with all these people was a really good race for me,” said Thomas, who just missed the world-leading 21.81 she ran to win the Olympic Trials.
Just when it looked like Ryan Crouser was going to win his first Diamond League meet of the season, Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri launched 73-10¾ (22.52) in the fifth round to move into the lead of the shot put. Crouser responded with 73-4¾ (22.37) on his fifth throw, which held up for the runner-up spot.
A chaotic start to the Emsley Carr Mile saw Britons Neil Gourley and George Mills crash to the track moments after the gun fired. Both were furious that the race wasn’t called back. Niels Laros also went down, but scrambled to his feet and rejoined the action.
Clear of the initial mess, Olli Hoare passed Stewart McSweyn to take the lead down the final backstretch, bringing Narve Gilje Nordås with him. Nordås was gaining momentum and looked ready to sneak by at the line, but Hoare found one more gear and leaned well to win in 3:49.03. Nordås (3:49.06) took 2nd, ahead of Adel Mechaal (3:49.21), Laros (3:49.45) and McSweyn (3:49.59).
“I felt bad for the fallers, I came into the race not to wrestle but it’s tough and that’s the way it goes so I just made sure I stayed clear of that,” said Hoare, who was nonetheless pleased with his finishing kick. “It’s such a competitive field, you can’t make any mistakes.”
Alison dos Santos rebounded from this 3rd-place finish in the previous week’s super showdown in Monaco to win the 400H comfortably in 47.18. Though his main rivals Rai Benjamin and Karsten Warholm weren’t in the race, it was still a competitive field behind dos Santos, with Roshwan Clarke (47.63), Ismail Doudai Abakar (47.72 PR) and Kyron McMaster (47.81) finishing 2-3-4.
In the 3000, Grant Fisher moved to the front at the bell and promptly strung out the pack. The U.S. 5000/10,000 champ held the lead until 50m to go, when European 10,000 champ Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu kicked by for the win in a Swiss Record 7:27.68. Fisher (7:27.99) ran the second-fastest time ever by an American (behind his own 7:25.47) to hold 2nd ahead of Edwin Kurgat (7:28.53). In 5th, Sean McGorty lowered his lifetime best to 7:32.79, moving him to No. 8 on the U.S. all-time list.
Nina Kennedy won the vault after clearing 15-11 (4.85). Alysha Newman took 2nd at 15-7 (4.75), while reigning Olympic champ Katie Moon needed three tries to get over her opening height of 14-9 (4.50) and then missed all her attempts at 15-3 (4.65).
World indoor high jump champ Hamish Kerr won his third DL meet of the year, clearing a modest 7-6½ (2.30) and then retiring after easily beating JuVaughn Harrison, who topped out at 7-5 (2.26).
Malaika Mihambo, who said she was dealing with Covid when she won the European title last month, won the long jump with a 22-6½ (6.87) leap in the first frame. That was far off the world-leading 23-8¼ (7.22) she jumped in Rome, but enough to win easily here.
Mackenzie Little, bronze medalist at the ’23 Worlds, won the javelin with an opening-round PR of 217-5 (66.27). Reigning world champ Haruka Kitaguchi struggled and finished 4th at 205-8 (62.69).
A British quartet won the women’s 4 x 100 in a world-leading (and NR-equaling) 41.55, well ahead of France (42.10), while a Japanese squad took the men’s race in 38.07.
LONDON MEN’S RESULTS
100(-0.3): 1. Noah Lyles (US) 9.81 PR (AL) (7, x A);
2. Akani Simbine (SA) 9.86; 3. Letsile Tebogo (Bot) 9.88 =NR; 4. Louie Hinchliffe (GB) 9.97; 5. Ackeem Blake (Jam) 9.97; 6. Zharnel Hughes (GB) 10.00; 7. Jeremiah Azu (GB) 10.08; 8. Yohan Blake (Jam) 10.23.
400: 1. Matthew Hudson-Smith (GB) 43.74 NR (WL);
2. Vernon Norwood (US) 44.10 PR; 3. Jereem Richards (Tri) 44.18 PR; 4. Charlie Dobson (GB) 44.23 PR; 5. Kirani James (Grn) 44.38; 6. Christopher Morales Williams (Can) 44.90; 7. Bayapo Ndori (Bot) 45.03.
Mile: 1. Olli Hoare (Aus) 3:49.03; 2. Narve Gilje Nordås (Nor) 3:49.06; 3. Adel Mechaal (Spa) 3:49.21 PR; 4. Niels Laros (Neth) 3:49.45; 5. Stewart McSweyn (Aus) 3:49.59; 6. Cameron Myers (Aus) 3:50.16; 7. Adam Fogg (GB) 3:50.48 PR; 8. Andrew Coscoran (Ire) 3:50.49 PR; 9. Filip Rak (Pol) 3:50.92 PR; 10. Jochem Vermeulen (Bel) 3:51.00 NR; 11. Elliot Giles (GB) 3:52.30; 12. Vincent Ciattei (US) 3:52.54 PR; 13. Archie Davis (GB) 3:55.07; 14. Adam Spencer (Aus) 3:55.49;… dnf—Neil Gourley (GB), George Mills (GB) (both fell on first lap);… rabbit—Callum Davies (Aus) (57.44, 56.84 [1:54.28]).
3000: 1. Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu (Swi) 7:27.68 NR (out WL);
2. Grant Fisher (US) 7:27.99 (AL) (x, 2 A);
3. Edwin Kurgat (Ken) 7:28.53 PR; 4. Telahun Haile (Eth) 7:30.80;
5. Sean McGorty (US) 7:32.79 PR (8, x A);
6. Cornelius Kemboi (Ken) 7:33.56 (5:01.19); 7. Brian Fay (Ire) 7:34.48 PR; 8. Emmanuel Kiplagat (Ken) 7:34.59 PR; 9. Morgan Beadlescomb (US) 7:36.10 PR; 10. Nick Griggs (Ire) 7:36.59 PR; 11. Mike Foppen (Neth) 7:37.12 NR; 12. Jack Rowe (GB) 7:38.70 PR; 13. Melkeneh Azeze (Eth) 7:39.13 PR.
400H: 1. Alison dos Santos (Bra) 47.18; 2. Roshawn Clarke (Jam) 47.63; 3. Ismail Doudai Abakar (Qat) 47.72 PR; 4. Kyron McMaster (BVI) 47.81; 5. Wilfried Happio (Fra) 48.26; 6. CJ Allen (US) 48.49; 7. Gerald Drummond (CR) 48.89.
Non-DL 4 x 100: 1. Japan 38.07; 2. Australia 38.31; 3. Great Britain B 38.32; 4. Canada 38.35; 5. Netherlands 38.55; 6. France 38.56;… dnf—Great Britain.
Field Events
HJ: 1. Hamish Kerr (NZ) 7-6½ (2.30); 2. JuVaughn Harrison (US) 7-5 (2.26); 3. William Grimsey (GB) 7-3¼ (2.22); 4. Jan Štefela (CzR) 7-3¼; 5. Thomas Carmoy (Bel) 7-3¼; 6. Norbert Kobielski (Pol) 7-1¾ (2.18).
SP: 1. Leonardo Fabbri (Ita) 73-10¾ (22.52) (69-6, f, 70-11¼, 69-2¾, 73-10¾, f) (21.18, f, 21.62, 21.10, 22.52, f); 2. Ryan Crouser (US) 73-4¾ (22.37) (72-11¼, f, f, f, 73-4¾, 72-6¼) (22.23, f, f, f, 22.37, 22.10);
3. Payton Otterdahl (US) 72-7¼ (22.13); 4. Joe Kovacs (US) 72-3½ (22.03); 5. Jacko Gill (NZ) 69-3¼ (21.11); 6. Tom Walsh (NZ) 69-1¼ (21.06); 7. Scott Lincoln (GB) 67-11½ (20.71); 8. Roger Steen (US) 66-1½ (20.15).
LONDON WOMEN’S RESULTS
200(-0.9): 1. Gabby Thomas (US) 21.82; 2. Julien Alfred (StL) 21.86 NR; 3. Dina Asher-Smith (GB) 22.07; 4. Daryll Neita (GB) 22.20; 5. Rhasidat Adeleke (Ire) 22.35; 6. Tamara Clark (US) 22.59; 7. Jenna Prandini (US) 22.93; 8. Amy Hunt (GB) 22.96.
400: I–1. Nickisha Pryce (Jam) 48.57 NR (WL) (7, x W) (extended-season CR);
2. Natalia Kaczmarek (Pol) 48.90 NR; 3. Lieke Klaver (Neth) 49.58 PR; 4. Amber Anning (GB) 49.63; 5. Laviai Nielsen (GB) 49.87 PR; 6. Lynna Irby-Jackson (US) 50.71; 7. Victoria Ohuruogu (GB) 50.76; 8. Talitha Diggs (US) 52.47.
II–1. Yemi Mary John (GB) 51.18; 2. Nicole Yeargin (GB) 51.64; 3. Ama Pipi (GB) 51.87.
800: 1. Keely Hodgkinson (GB) 1:54.61 NR (WL) (6, 7 W);
2. Jemma Reekie (GB) 1:55.61 PR; 3. Georgia Bell (GB) 1:56.28 PR; 4. Natoya Goule-Toppin (Jam) 1:56.83; 5. Renelle Lamote (Fra) 1:57.06 PR; 6. Halimah Nakaayi (Uga) 1:57.26 NR; 7. Allie Wilson (US) 1:57.52 PR; 8. Laura Muir (GB) 1:57.63; 9. Catriona Bisset (Aus) 1:58.12;… rabbit—Erin Wallace (GB) (55.58).
400H: 1. Femke Bol (Neth) 51.30 (x, 4 W);
2. Shamier Little (US) 52.78; 3. Rushell Clayton (Jam) 53.24; 4. Andrenette Knight (Jam) 53.69; 5. Jessie Knight (GB) 54.15; 6. Cathelijn Peeters (Neth) 54.50; 7. Shiann Salmon (Jam) 54.50; 8. Lina Nielsen (GB) 54.65.
Non-DL 4 x 100: 1. Great Britain 41.55 =NR (WL) (Asher-Smith, Lansiquot, Hunt, Neita);
2. France 42.10; 3. Great Britain B 42.46; 4. Australia 42.48 NR; 5. Netherlands 42.50; 6. Switzerland 42.71;… dnf—Canada.
Field Events
PV: 1. Nina Kennedy (Aus) 15-11 (4.85); 2. Alysha Newman (Can) 15-7 (4.75); 3. tie, Molly Caudery (GB) & Sandi Morris (US) 15-3 (4.65); 5. tie, Eliza McCartney (NZ) & Angelica Moser (Swi) 15-3; 7. Roberta Bruni (Ita) 15-3; 8. Katie Moon (US) 14-9 (4.50);… nh—Olivia McTaggart (NZ).
LJ: 1. Malaika Mihambo (Ger) 22-6½ (6.87); 2. Agate De Sousa (Por) 22-1¾ (6.75); 3. Larissa Iapichino (Ita) 21-11¾ (6.70); 4. Milica Gardašević (Ser) 21-7¼ (6.58); 5. Katarina Johnson-Thompson (GB) 21-5½ (6.54); 6. Tiffany Flynn (US) 21-4 (6.50); 7. Yanis David (Fra) 20-7¼ (6.28).
JT: 1. Mackenzie Little (Aus) 217-5 (66.27) PR (217-5, 206-0, 199-4, 192-7, 202-4, 208-3) (66.27, 62.78, 60.77, 58.71, 61.69, 63.48); 2. Adriana Vilagoš (Ser) 215-2 (65.58) NR (191-11, 193-9, 199-2, 199-5, 215-2, 198-3) (58.50, 59.07, 60.70, 60.79, 65.58, 60.42); 3. Maggie Malone Hardin (US) 206-8 (62.99); 4. Haruka Kitaguchi (Jpn) 205-8 (62.69); 5. Tori Peeters (NZ) 198-3 (60.43); 6. Victoria Hudson (Aut) 198-0 (60.35); 7. Līna Mūze-Sirmā (Lat) 197-11 (60.33).