MONACO (MON, Aug 10): Faith Kipyegon was so close to beating the world record (which was set at this meet) after a great 1500 meters race; Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also showed something special; men confirmed the “running paradise” status of this meet with fast 1000 and 3000 meters times. Noah Lyles again showed speed that points to the best ever times.
In summary: EBS Herculis had one Diamond League record, four World leads, three meet records. Two more stops remain before the Zurich finals.
Monaco Diamond League Short event-by-event reviews
Men
200 meters: Noah Lyles continues winning, improving his own meet record to 19.46 seconds, (+0.8) his second-fastest and ninth-best ever overall performance. Erriyon Knighton was a clear second in 19.84 over 400 champ Norman who was third in 19.95 seconds.
1000 meters: Marco Arop looked like a winner, but faded in the last 50 meters and despite a big national record of 2:14.35 was second. Jake Wightman prepared well for the European 800 with a 2:13.88 meet record and world lead which was also the third best European time ever behind Coe and Cram. There was an Irish record in seventh (McCann 2:16.40). Korir was not a factor (8th, 2:18.19).
3000 meters: In the surprise of the evening, Burundi´s Thierry Ndikumwenayo improved from 7:34.91 to 7:25.93 WL, NR and even DLR. Also 10th best ever performance. Aregawi was leading clearly faded similar to Arop, still 7:26.81 PB. Third Fisher US record 7:28.48.
110-meter hurdles: Grant Holloway got his fourth-ever sub-13 (and first this year) 12.99 (+0.6) ahead of Cunningham’s 13.03 pro debut. Hansle Parchment returned from injury with a 13.08 season’s best. Ahead of Munich, Zhoya was fifth in 13.21 and Martinot-Lagarde sixth in 13.26.
High jump: Barshim won after a jump-off with Korea’s Woo. They both had clean sheets until 2.30 meters and both failed at 2.32. Again at 2.32 and again they failed until at 2.30 Barshim cleared and won. The rest only managed 2.25 and 2.20 meters.
Long jump: In a very close battle, Masso jumped 8.35 meters in the second round; Tentoglou tried with 8.31, twice 8.30, also 8.29 and 8.27, but remained in second. Dendy was also great with 8.31 and 8.30. 2019 world champion Gayle leapt his first 8 meters of the year (8.06 for fourth).
Women
100 meters: In her third race in five days, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce gets a meet record and world-leading 10.62 seconds in nearly windless conditions (+0.4w). Her second-best ever, the time also equals the sixth fastest in history. Behind her was 200 meters world champion Shericka Jackson with a 10.71 second personal best. Ta Lou set a new African record 10.72 seconds. All seven women finished sub-11, with the best-ever positions at 3rd, 4th and 6th.
400 meters: Shaunae Miller-Uibo controlled the race in a fast 49.28, her 7th best-ever, taking McLeod to sub-50 (49.87, equaling her second-best-ever time) and Sada Williams to a 50.10 finish.
800 meters (non-DL): had a strong win in 1:56.98, which was not only her season’s best but also the fourth fastest of 2022. US runners for personal bests were Hurta (1:57.85) and Baker (1:58.05).
1500 meters: The race of the evening. Kipyegon was so close with 3:50.37, the second fastest ever and still not a meet record, but a national record and world lead. She was at 60.5, 2:02.6, 2:33.4 and 3:04.7. “I’m so disappointed I lost it in the last meters,” she said. Behind her were US runners with four personal-bests in Maclean (3:58.89) and Cranny (3:59.06).
Steeplechase: Getachew confirmed her Eugene medal with a 9:06.19 win ahead of Wondemagegn (9:06.63 personal best )and superb European lead and British record for Lizzie Bird’s 9:07.87 (also fourth best European time ever). Coburn, who was leading until the final stages was fourth in 9:07.93 for a season’s best.
400-meter hurdles: Jamaicans ruled, with Rushell Clayton equaling her personal-best 53.33 seconds and Janieve Russell setting a season’s-best 53.52. Tkachuk was the best European in fourth, clocking 54.27.
Pole vault: Three went over 4.66 meters with Kennedy in her first, Morris in her second and Stefanidi in her third attempt. And that decided it, as they could not clear 4.76.
Triple jump: World champion Rojas with a fifth-round 15.01 saved herself and won after four fouls and 14.09 meters. Shanieka Ricketts was brave in second with 14.91; there were personal-bests for Franklin (14.86) and Bekh-Romanchuk (14.59).
Javelin: Eugene gold medalist Barber prevailed with 64.50 meters; second was Kitaguchi (62.37) after two previous Diamond League wins.
