DUPLANTIS RAISES BAR
DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Sweden’s Armand Duplantis maintained his amazing form to turn the tables on world champion Sam Hendricks for a 16th consecutive victory in the men’s pole vault at Friday’s Diamond League meet in Doha.
American Hendricks was the last person to beat the Swede at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha in last year’s world championships.
But a couple of kilometers away at the more intimate Qatari Sports Club, Duplantis walked away with victory with a best vault of 5.82 meters, far off the world outdoor record of 6.15 meters he set in Rome last week.
Duplantis failed once at 5.92 meters and also 6.00 meters before calling it a day.
“It’s been a fantastic season and I enjoyed sharing the moment tonight with the guys,” Duplantis said.
“I enjoyed the jump and the rivalry with Sam. It’s been fun with him as we have always got back at each other.”
Echoing the views of many athletes, Duplantis added: “It’s been a rollercoaster year, sort of. I broke the indoor world record earlier in the year and I was enjoying the season but all of a sudden the pandemic came and everything shut down and no one knew what would happen next.
“It’s great (to be) back and I hope things keep improving.”
It’s been a fantastic season and I enjoyed sharing the moment tonight with the guys.
Hendricks was second on countback and France’s Renaud Lavillenie third in humid, hot conditions with a temperature of 32 degrees Celsius.
On the track, Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica followed up on her 10.85 seconds in Rome with a facile victory in the 100-meter in 10.87 seconds, Ivorian Marie-Josee Ta Lou a distant second in 11.21 seconds.
“I am happy to win but my major focus is to finish the year healthy,” Thompson-Herah said. “Preparations for the Olympics is next on my agenda and it begins in earnest.” Kenya’s Olympic 1500-meter champion Faith Kipyegon timed a world leading time of 1:57.61 in winning the women’s 800-meter run, an event won by sidelined South African Caster Semenya in the last three meets in the Qatari capital.
“I am happy to win here in Doha considering this is my second 800-meter race after about three years break from it,” Kipyegon said, adding that she was looking forward to turning the page on the coronavirus pandemic.
“The year has been a disturbing one for everyone and I am glad it is coming to an end. We can’t wait enough for 2021 to be here.”