Bosworth sets new 3,000m walk mark
london — Britain’s Tom Bosworth opened the London Diamond League meeting in style with a world outdoor best performance in the 3,000m walk on Saturday.
Bosworth, a former circus performer, attacked the clock from the start and crossed the line at the London Stadium in 10 minutes 43.84 seconds, smashing the old outdoor mark of 10:47.11, set by Italy’s Giovanni De Benedicts in May 1990.
Bosworth has gone quicker indoors, clocking 10:30.28 on the boards in Glasgow in February.
The 28-year-old from Kent set a world mile best in the Anniversary Games Diamond League meeting in London a year ago. “I really wanted it. I’ve just come down from altitude and didn’t know what was going to happen,” he said.
“The crowd really helped me. There’s something about competing in this stadium.” ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce’s post-pregnancy climb back to the top of women’s sprinting took another significant step on Saturday when she dipped under 11 seconds for the first time this season to win the London Diamond League 100 metres.
The 31-year-old double Olympic and triple world champion over the distance gave birth to her first child last August and has vowed to get back into the medal mix. “I’m so excited, that is so good,” said the Jamaican. “I took the time off, I didn’t pay any attention to what others said about my comeback.
“I continued to work hard and London is definitely the best place and to come here and win, with my first sub-11, is fantastic,” added the Jamaican, who won her second Olympic gold and a 200m silver at the stadium in 2012. “I’m used to sacrificing and making sure that my path is right. Being a mother is my first priority and to come back and be flexible with my training is wonderful and I’m so excited about next year now.”
American Dezerea Bryant took second in 11.04 ahead of Jamaica’s Jonielle Smith, who ran an 11.07 personal best. —