{"id":1059,"date":"2016-05-28T08:36:45","date_gmt":"2016-05-28T08:36:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diamondleague.com\/eugene-kovacs-shifts-gears-to-produce-world-lead\/"},"modified":"2016-05-28T08:36:45","modified_gmt":"2016-05-28T08:36:45","slug":"eugene-kovacs-shifts-gears-to-produce-world-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.diamondleague.com\/eugene-kovacs-shifts-gears-to-produce-world-lead\/","title":{"rendered":"Eugene: Kovacs Shifts Gears To Produce World Lead"},"content":{"rendered":"
Joe Kovacs flipped the switch and the ball went flying. The IAAF World Championships Beijing 2015 men\u2019s shot put gold medallist uncorked a world-leading 22.13m on his final attempt to close out a dominant performance at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Eugene on Friday (27).<\/p>\n

After coming out with what he described as a cautious first attempt, the American putter improved every round throughout a chilly evening at the Prefontaine Classic, becoming the first man over 22 metres this year.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the body waiting to have that little gear change. I didn\u2019t do it in the first couple throws but I could feel the rhythm and excitement coming,\u201d commented Kovacs.<\/div>\n
In his third round attempt, he broke the 21-metre mark and, after that, he was never seriously challenged.<\/div>\n
New Zealand\u2019s Tom Walsh finished second with 20.84m. After this meet, Kovacs now has the four best throws in the world this year but he sees much more improvement ahead of him.<\/div>\n
\u201cI\u2019m probably in better shape than I\u2019ve ever been in my life right now. When I see 22 (metres) something, it\u2019s fun to see; but I think there\u2019s another level. I\u2019m not there yet and it just takes time to let the body get used to all the little stretches, the pressures on the hand, everything seems like it takes a little bit longer but it goes a lot farther.\u201d<\/div>\n
REESE HOLDS ON TO INDOOR MOMENTUM<\/b><\/div>\n
It took less time for Brittney Reese to asserted her control in the women\u2019s long jump.<\/p>\n

Competing against a field Reese expects to see later on this summer at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, she won with a first round jump of 6.92m.  <\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cMy main goal was to come out here and put something big out and have them chase it, but I had some really good fouls after that that were over seven metres,\u201d reflected Reese, whose first round mark held up against Serbia\u2019s Ivana Spanovic, who jumped 6.88m for second place.<\/div>\n
Reese is coming off a strong winter where she won at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Portland 2016 \u2013 with Spanovic also second there \u2013 to reclaim her spot at the top of the long jump world.<\/div>\n
\u201cMy rhythm is set now and I think that had a lot to do with indoor.\u201d<\/div>\n
Her retooled rhythm has led to fewer fouls, which has been a common occurrence throughout her career.<\/div>\n
Still, she went over the board on her final two attempts, something she attributed to the new rules allowing only the top four jumpers to advance after the first three rounds.<\/div>\n
\u201cI was a little winded, I\u2019m not even going to lie, the last two jumps I was like, \u2018my name up again?\u2019 I didn\u2019t get a good chance to catch my breath.\u201d<\/div>\n
In the discus, Sandra Perkovic threw 68.57m in the fifth round to take the victory.<\/div>\n
Entering the final two throws of the competition, she trailed Germany\u2019s Nadine Muller, who had thrown 64.98m in the fourth round.<\/div>\n
Perkovic responded with her winning throw with her penultimate effort and while Muller improved in the final round, but her 65.31m was only good enough for second place.  <\/div>\n
FARAH HAS A WINNING RETURN IN THE 10,000M<\/b><\/div>\n
<\/b>Mo Farah wanted a faster time and better competition in 10,000m but instead he had to settle for a world leading 26:53.71 and a sprint victory in the last 100 metres over a surprise rival.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cI finished the race and didn\u2019t feel too tired,\u201d Farah said. \u201cWhen you finish a race, you\u2019re tired, you\u2019re knackered. I feel alright so that\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
A slight breeze impacted the runners, but the lead pack was able to hit 5000m in 13:23 as Farah floated throughout the group of runners at the front.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Nicholas Kosimbei threw in several surges to keep the pace honest. The pack, led by Farah, caught the Kenyan on several occasions only to see the 19-year-old push out to a lead again.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
With 800 metres left, Farah passed Kosimbei for good. On the last lap, William Sitonik moved out of Farah\u2019s shadow and grabbed the lead. Farah bided his time and waited until less than 100 metres to go counter the move with another big kick at Hayward Field.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cI was just testing the guy (Sitonik) to see what he\u2019s got.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
In a field that didn\u2019t include many of the biggest names, Farah admitted he wasn\u2019t familiar with either Kosimbei or Sitonik.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cIt was just very surprising. In Daegu (the 2011 world championships) I remember Jelian, I had never heard of him or anything and then come to the world championships in the 10K he ran past me. You can\u2019t take it for granted, you gotta know who\u2019s who.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Sitonik finished second in 26:54.66, the 2011 world youth 3000m champion setting a personal best by over a minute. Ethiopia\u2019s Tamirat Tola, better known as a road runner, took third with a time of 26:57.33, which was also a big personal best.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The night\u2019s other distance race saw Kenya’s Hellen Obiri win the 5000m in convincing fashion.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Mostly known for her performances in the 1500m and 3000m, Obiri had an impressive last lap to win in 14:32.02, a massive personal for the 2012 world indoor 3000m champion.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
It was a Kenyan 1-2-3 as Viola Kibiwot took second in 14:35.13 and Vivian Cheruiyot finished third in 14:35.69.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
In other action, Alysia Montano won the women\u2019s 800m in 2:00.78 and world champion Pawel Fajdek won his 22nd consecutive hammer competition in a row with a distance of 80.28m.  <\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Kevin Sully for the IAAF and the IAAF Diamond League<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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