Simbine, Semenya on form in Doha IAAF opener
SOUTH African track sensations Akani Simbine and Caster Semenya opened their international campaigns in fine style in Doha, Qatar on Friday, earning convincing victories at the first leg of the IAAF Diamond League series.
Simbine secured his maiden Diamond League win against a quality men’s 100m line-up, charging over the line in 9.99 seconds.
Former world record holder Asafa Powell finished second in 10.08, while pre-race favourites Justin Gatlin of the US and Andre de Grasse of Canada both missed the podium.
Semenya was also in good form, proving she would again be the athlete to beat in her specialist 800m event this year.
The Olympic champion and national record holder took control of the race on the final bend, and drew ahead to win in 1:56.61, breaking the meeting record and shattering her season’s best by more than four seconds. Margaret Wambui of Kenya was second in 1:57.03.
In the men’s 400m hurdles, LJ van Zyl overcame a poor lane draw to grab third spot in 49.49, doing well to pace himself from lane eight.
Abderrahaman Samba of Qatar won convincingly in 48.44, while Cornel Fredericks, the only other SA athlete competing in Doha, took fifth place.
“Simbine’s performance signifies the hard and quality work his coach has been doing behind the scenes in preparation for the international season.
“We also strongly believe that Caster’s steady performance is aimed at breaking the longstanding 800m world record this year,” said Aleck Skhosana, president of Athletics SA.
The second of 14 legs of the annual IAAF Diamond League series is in Shanghai, China on May 13. – ANA