DIAMOND CHAMPION
10.65 meet record run by Thompson Herah in Zurich finals
OLYMPIC GAMES double sprint champion Elaine Thompson Herah described the 2021 track and field season as ‘crazy’ after she produced another impressive run to win the 100 metres at the Wanda Diamond League finals in Zurich, Switzerland, yesterday.
Thompson hit the line in a meet record 10.65 seconds to smash the 10.76 set in 1984 by American Evelyn Ashford. Dina Asher Smith of Great Britain was second in a season’s best 10.87, while Ajla del Ponte of Switzerland was third in 10.93. Jamaica’s Natasha Morrison ended seventh in 11.19.
“It has been a crazy season, a long one and a tiring one,” said Thompson Herah. She hailed her consistency throughout the season.
“I am just keeping the faith in myself and did not allow any negativity. I am really happy and grateful. I am tired now but this is my job. I would describe this season with one word ‘amazing’ “.
Thompson Herah, the fastest woman alive, gave a hint about her plans for next year.
“This year it was a long season with ups and downs but next year the world record is definitely on my mind,” she stated. For her win in Zurich yesterday she picked up a Diamond Trophy and US$30,000.
Seven other Jamaicans had top three finishes on the day. They were led by Shericka Jackson, Shanieka
Ricketts and Ronald Levy who were second in their events, while Megan Tapper, Natoya Goule , Kimberly Williams, Hansle Parchment and Fredrick Dacres were third in their events.
Jackson clocked a personal best of 21.81 in the 200m but lost out to Namibia’s Christine Mboma who won in an Area and World Under-20 record of 21.78. Asher Smith took third in 22.19.
Olympic bronze medallist Tapper took third in the 100m hurdles in 12.55 seconds as Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan won in a personal best and Area record 12.42. There was also an Area record for the Netherlands’ Nadine Visser who was second in 12.51.
Once again Ricketts had to play second fiddle to world record holder Yulimer Rojas in the triple jump as the Olympic champion captured the event with a distance of 15.27 metres. Ricketts took second with 14.41. Kimberly Williams was third with 14.47m.
Levy clocked a season’s best 13.06 for second in the 110 metres hurdle, the same time given to Devon Allen of the United States. Parchment, the Olympic champion, was third in 13.17.
Goule had to settle for third in the 800 metres in 1:58.34, while Fredrick Dacres threw 65.33m for third in the men’s discus.
Jamaica’s Stephenie Ann McPherson (50.25) and Candice McLeod (50.96) were fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 400m won in 49.88 by American Quanera Haynes.
Jamaica’s Janieve Russell was seventh in the 400 metre hurdles in 55.74 seconds as Femke Bol of the Netherlands won in a meet record 52.80.
The outstanding Karsten Warholm of Norway maintained his winning form in the men’s 400 metres hurdle after clocking 47.35.