By Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis, Special to TrackAlerts.Com

Some very interesting showdowns will highlight the Paris Diamond League on Saturday July 4, 2015. Among the highlights will include some of Jamaica’s biggest stars fresh from their National Championship facing off against some tougher opposition. 

The women’s 100m will see the red hot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who recently sped to a world leading 10.79 seconds coming up against training partner and runner-up at the National Championship, Natasha Morrison. However, her biggest threat should come from joint world leader English Gardner, Murielle Ahoure, Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor and Dafne Shippers. This event barring a few absentees is without doubt a preview of the women’s 100m World Championship final in August.

In the men’s equivalent, Asafa Powell the fastest Jamaican sprinter so far this season will be seeking to keep his unbeaten record intact in his first Diamond League race. Powell’s biggest challenge could come from American Mike Rodgers who finished third at the 2015 US Outdoor Championship. Other worthy contenders in this event are Nesta Carter, Kim Collins, Jimmy Vicaut and Ryan Bailey who will be hoping to salvage some pride after such a promising start to his season. This will be the final event of the evening.

Two other Jamaicans also getting a taste of the big leagues are quarter-milers Javon Francis and Rusheen McDonald who placed first and second at the recent Jamaica National Senior Championship. They will come up against a quality field which include the likes of Kirani James, American champion David Verburg (44.41), South Africa’s top one-lapper Wayde Van Niekerk (44.24) and Belgium’s Jonathan Borlee. This promises to be a very exciting event from start to finish which perhaps could produce some lifetime best from a few of the entrants. 

The women’s 400m hurdles race is shaping up to be a super race. Jamaica’s newest national champion, Janieve Russell, will face probably her sternest test to date since the season began. She will be challenged by World Champion Zuzana Hejnova, Cassandra Tate, South African star Wenda Theron Nel and Georganne Moline.

Jamaica’s national record holder in the men’s 110m hurdles, Hansle Parchment, was scheduled to make his Diamond League debut against a cracking line-up. It is such a pity that he had to be scratched from this event.

This big showdown will feature the familiar faces of the World Champion David Oliver; 110m record holder, Aries Merritt, Cuba’s Orlando Ortega, American Aleec Harris, and Russia’s Sergey Shubenkov alongside last year’s Diamond Race winner, Pascal Martinot-Lagarde of France.

Please find schedule for this exciting meet as follows:

N.B these are Jamaica times so please be guided accordingly. 

1:05 pm    Women’s 400m Hurdles   (Janieve Russell, Cassandra Tate, Wenda Nel, Georganne Moline, Zuzana Hejnova) 

1:10 pm    Men’s High Jump (Erik Kynard, Ivan Ukhov, Mutaz Essa Barshim, Donald Thomas, Marco Fassinotti)

1:12 pm    Women’s Triple Jump (Caterine Ibarguen, Kimberly Williams, Yekaterina Koneva, Gabriela Petrova, Olga Rypakova)

1:16 pm    Men’s 400m  ( Michael Berry, Rusheen McDonald, Javon Francis, Kirani James, David Verburg, Wayde Van Niekerk, Jonathan Borlee, Pavel Maslak) 

1:24 pm    Men’s 3000m SteepleChase (Jairus Birech, Ezekiel Kemboi, Conseslus Kipruto)

1:38 pm    Women’s Javelin (Christina Obergfoll, Barbora Spotakova, Linda Stahl, Kimberley Mickle)

1:42 pm    Women’s 800m (Eunice Sum, Chanelle Price, Molly Ludlow, Rose Mary Almanza) 

1:52 pm   Women’s 100m  ( Natasha Morrison, Murielle Ahoure, English Gardner, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor, Dafne Shippers) 

2:02 pm   Men’s 1500m (James Magut, Silas Kiplagat, Ayanleh Souleiman, Collins Cheboi, Robert Kiptoo Biwott)

2:20 pm   Men’s 110m Hurdles (Sergey Shubenkov, Aries Merritt, Orlando Ortega, Aleec Harris, David Oliver, Pascal Martinot-Lagarde, Garfield Darien)

 2:32 pm Women’s 5000m ( Almaz Ayana, Genzebe Dibaba, Faith Kipyegon, Viola Kibiwot)

2:52 pm   Men’s 100m    (Nesta Carter, Kim Collins, Asafa Powell, Mike Rodgers, Jimmy Vicaut, Ryan Bailey)

 

About the Author:
Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis is a very exciting and creative freelance sports writer specializing in the fields of athletics and cricket. His colourful down to earth yet professional personality makes him a favourite amongst athletes and fans. Readers are often exposed to his detailed knowledge and passion which usually increase their interest in the athletes, events and the sport overall. He has a first degree in Banking & Finance and works in the financial industry. Contact Noel at [email protected]

 

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