Shocker for Coleman as upsets hit US trials
Men’s shot put witnesses stiff battle between Crouser and Kovacs
Sprinter Christian Coleman suffered a shock 200m defeat as upsets dominated the final day of the US World Championship Trials here Sunday.
Coleman, the 21-yearold seen as the rising star of American sprinting, was pipped in a photo-finish by Ameer Webb at Sacramento’s Hornet Stadium.
It was a second disappointing loss for Coleman, who was beaten in the 100m final by veteran Justin Gatlin on Friday.
Coleman, the fastest man in the world this year over 100m after recording 9.82 seconds earlier this month, could only manage 20.10, with Webb squeezing ahead in 20.09. Elijah Hall-Thompson was third in 20.21.
“It has been a long weekend,” Coleman said afterwards. “I felt my legs tighten up near the end a bit — but no excuses, it was a great race,” he added.
The race had already been deprived of the presence of teenager Noah Lyles, who withdrew with a sore hamstring before the race.
There was another upset in the women’s 200, where favourite Tori Bowie was upstaged by youngster Deajah Stevens. Bowie looked perfectly placed coming off the curve but Stevens produced a superb finish in the final 50 meters to surge clear and take the tape in 22.30.
The upsets continued in the final race of the day when 110m hurdles world recordholder Aries Merritt was beaten into second by Aleec Harris. Harris won in 13.24sec with Merritt second in 13.31.
In a blisteringly fast women’s 400 hurdles, 2016 Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad turned on the style to win in the quickest time of the year, crossing in 52.64.
Muhammad was quickly into her stride and led by a big margin entering the home straight, holding off a strong finish from Shamier Little in 52.75 with Kori Carter third in 52.95.
It was the first time in history three women have ducked under the 53-second barrier in the same race.
But while Muhammad was an emphatic winner in her event, male counterpart Kerron Clement struggled in the men’s 400m hurdles.
The highlight from Sunday’s field events was a dramatic men’s shot put battle between Olympic champion Ryan Crouser and rival Joe Kovacs.
Kovacs, who took silver behind Crouser in Rio last year, looked to have snatched victory with a heave of 22.35m on his final throw.
But Crouser then stepped up to hurl the longest throw of the year with his final attempt, winning with 22.65. Ryan Whiting was third with a throw of 21.54.