Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce celebrated Jamaican Independence Day by scorching to a world-leading 10.66 (+0.5m\/s) in a magnificent display of controlled speed to win the women\u2019s 100m at the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial \u2013 a last-minute addition to the 2022 Wanda Diamond League calendar \u2013 in Silesia on Saturday (6).<\/p>\n
In the stadium known locally as \u2018The Witches Cauldron\u2019, persistent rain couldn\u2019t prevent some of the world\u2019s premier athletes from conjuring their special brand of magic, as Mondo Duplantis and Alison Dos Santos also produced spellbinding performances.<\/p>\n
It was the first ever Diamond League meeting to take place in Poland and it did not disappoint with nine meeting records, a Diamond League record and six Polish all-comers\u2019 records.<\/p>\n
Jamaican legend Fraser-Pryce, who has won five world titles and two Olympic gold medals over 100m, showed she has lost none of her edge since the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, running clear of a world-class field for her second Diamond League meeting victory of the year, following Paris in June.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always come into races expecting to run fast,\u201d said the ebullient sprinter. \u201cLast year I set a meeting record here, now it is a Diamond League and it is a lot more competitive with many top athletes. I came here prepared for it to be cold or raining, but it was not so bad, it actually got warmer later in the day.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year I felt a lot of pressure on me and this year I decided to just have fun,\u201d she added. \u201cIt is amazing to be this consistent. I am always excited to compete and see what I can do.\u201d<\/p>\n
USA\u2019s Aleia Hobbs was second in 10.94 and Ivory Coast\u2019s Marie-Jos\u00e9e Ta Lou was third in 11.00.<\/p>\n
World 400m hurdles champion Alison Dos Santos said he had his sights firmly set on a first career Diamond Trophy after he stormed to a meeting record 47.80.<\/p>\n
“We had some small celebrations (after the World Championships) but nothing big because I still have some events ahead of me. I really want to win this Diamond Trophy,” said the Brazilian after notching up his fourth win of the season. <\/p>\n
Another athlete well used to firsts is world and Olympic pole vault champion Mondo Duplantis. Fresh from his world record-breaking exploits in Eugene, the Swede looked like an athlete at the very peak of his powers, as the opposition slipped away in the rain.<\/p>\n
In his second vault of the competition, he cleared 5.83m and was already the last man standing. To the delight of the crowd, he made a first-time clearance at 6.00m. He then targeted an outdoor all-comers\u2019 record of 6.10m and although the bar wobbled, he succeeded at the third attempt to thrill an appreciative audience.<\/p>\n
He bowed out there, having done more than enough in less-than-ideal conditions. \u201cIt is a little unfortunate with the weather, because the last two days the weather was like 32 degrees, sunny and warm. But it is what it is.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be nice to have that today. But I like the way I was able to jump today. I do not think I could have jumped very much higher today. I did not have enough speed to get even higher. The last one I had, it was a really good technical jump. I cannot complain at all. I am only a human and I am doing what I was able to do today.”<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t on a stiff enough pole (to go higher),\u201d he added. \u201cIt\u2019s a pole I am surprised I could make 6.10m on. It\u2019s the highest I have ever made on that pole. I got everything out of that pole and what the day gave me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Norway\u2019s Sondre Gottormsen and world bronze medallist Ernest John Obiena of the Philippines were second and third, both clearing 5.73m.<\/p>\n
The hammer competitions were poignant events, as the meeting is named in honour of Poland\u2019s 2000 Olympic champion Kamila Skolimowksa who died suddenly and prematurely in 2009. And the moment was not lost on men\u2019s winner Pavel Fajdek, the five-time world champion who has hit a rich vein of form after retaining his title in Eugene.<\/p>\n
He uncorked a second-round throw of 81.27m, a Diamond League record and his second-best throw of the season to claim victory from Olympic champion and Polish teammate Wojciech Nowicki, whose best was a fourth-round throw of 79.19m. Frances Quentin Bigot was third with 78.83m<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been competing in a lot of Diamond League competitions, but this one is special,\u201d said Fajdek. \u201cIt is most important especially for Kamila Skolimowska who is in our hearts, so we always try to give our best here.<\/p>\n
He was said the conditions were not an issue for him. \u201cAs a kid I trained in all weather, whether it was raining or snowing or when it was really hot, so I am prepared for any conditions. The rain can never make me worse. I even throw better when it is raining!\u201d<\/p>\n
The two hammer competitions took place simultaneously in the same circle, alternating between men\u2019s and women\u2019s throwers.<\/p>\n
With home favourite and triple Olympic champion Anita Wlodarczyk missing the bulk of this season with a thigh injury, USA\u2019s Brooke Andersen has filled the void as world champion and world leader in the women\u2019s discipline. <\/p>\n
She initially struggled to adapt to the weather and format, but managed to find her form in the final round. She landed the hammer at 75.76m to see off compatriot and world bronze medallist Janee Kassanavoid whose best was a second-round throw of 74.89m. Poland\u2019s Olympic bronze medallist Malwina Kopron was third with 70.37m. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a very exciting competition,\u201d said Andersen. \u201cIn the last round I finally managed to be more patient and focused. I was kind of rushing during the whole competition. It was kind of frustrating. Once I finally realised it, everything was okay.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is actually first time I have competed in a mixed competition like this,\u201d she added. \u201cWhen you see these guys throwing 80 metres, of course, you also want to throw the same or just get close to it. It makes you try harder, it was very exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rosser was a 0.5 adrift in second with France\u2019s Wilfried Happio, fourth in Eugene, third here in 48.74. <\/p>\n
The flat 400m races also produced meeting records.<\/p>\n
In the men\u2019s race, world gold and silver medallists Michael Norman and Kirani James renewed their rivalry. Norman ran a confident race, leading at 200m and not letting up until he crossed the line in a Polish all-comers\u2019 record of 44.11, 0.44 clear of James. USA\u2019s Bryce Deadmon was third in 44.68.<\/p>\n
Netherland\u2019s Femke Bol produced a storming run to win the women\u2019s race, bagging her first ever sub-50-second run on the flat. <\/p>\n
The world silver medallist over 400m hurdles showed superb speed to win in 49.75 for a national and meeting record. It helped propel Natalia Kaczmarek to her first run under 50 seconds too, as she finished second in 49.86. Third place went to Candice McLeod in 50.22. <\/p>\n
In the women\u2019s 100m hurdles, Olympic champion and world bronze medallist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico got back to winning ways. Despite trailing at halfway, she delivered her customary strong finish and outdipped world record-holder Kendra Harrison to win in a Polish all-comers\u2019 record of 12.34 (+0.8m\/s).<\/p>\n
Harrison was just 0.03 behind with fellow US hurdler Tia Jones running a lifetime best of 12.49 in third.<\/p>\n
In the men\u2019s long jump, Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece was another Olympic gold medallist looking to go one better than his second place in Eugene. And it was mission accomplished as he set a meeting record of 8.13m in the fifth round to maintain his 100 percent record in the Diamond League this season. <\/p>\n
In the men\u2019s triple jump, Andy Diaz got the better of several global medallists, winning with a second-round best of 17.53m. World and Olympic champion Pedro Pichardo managed a best of 17.29m for second place and Olympic silver medallist Zhu Yaming of China leapt 17.25m to place third.<\/p>\n
There was a slight surprise in the women\u2019s 1500m as world 5000m champion Gudaf Tsegay was beaten by Ethiopian teammate Diribe Welteji, the fourth-place finisher over 800m at the recent World Championships.<\/p>\n
The Ethiopians were well clear with two laps to go, but Tsegay was unable to shake Welteji, the 2018 world U20 800m champion. As they entered the home straight, Welteji made the decisive move and strode away to win in 3:56.91, a meeting record and personal best by more than two seconds. Tsegay was second in 3:58.81 and their fellow Ethiopian Hirut Meshesha was third in 4:00.93. <\/p>\n
World champion Shericka Jackson logged yet another impressive victory as the Jamaican won the women\u2019s 200m with plenty in hand in 21.84, yet another Polish all-comers\u2019 record. The speed endurance of world 400m champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo came to the fore and she finished strongly to take second in 22.35 ahead of USA\u2019s Jenna Prandini in 22.39.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe race went according to plan,\u201d said Jackson. \u201cI just wanted to execute, focus on my lane and not look at what my rivals were doing. I approach all my races like that. I am not thinking about the world record. I just try to do my best; if it comes, it comes.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was yet another meeting record in the women\u2019s shot with world champion Chase Ealey of USA landing a mighty 20.38m third-round throw. World bronze medallist Jessica Schilder scored a Dutch record with 19.84m in second, with Canada\u2019s new Commonwealth Games winner Sarah Mitton third with 19.44m.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the World Championships I felt it would be hard to be in top shape so soon, but I\u00b4m happy I was able to turn around so fast and come right back to my best,\u201d commented Ealey, who has won every single Diamond League competition this summer. \u201cI remain motivated and I want to break the American record at the Diamond League final. The ring was still wet after the rain today, but the conditions were not a big problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have always enjoyed coming here. The atmosphere is very vibrant and the audience know the throws.\u201d<\/p>\n
World silver medallist Joe Kovacs left it late to win the men\u2019s shot. His final-round throw of 21.79m just got the better of Tom Walsh \u2013 who travelled through the night to get to Silesia after winning the Commonwealth title in Birmingham yesterday \u2013 by nine centimetres. World bronze medallist Josh Awotunde was third again with a best of 21.35m. <\/p>\n
In the men\u2019s 100m, world bronze medallist Trayvon Bromell got the better of US teammate and world silver medallist Mavin Bracy-Williams, clocking 9.95 to 10.00. In a photo finish, Ackeem Blake of Jamaica was third, sharing 10.00 dead. The win saw him lock down his place in the Wanda Diamond League Final, where he is likely to go up against world champion Fred Kerley. <\/p>\n
In the men\u2019s 800m, world and Olympic champion Emmanuel Korir of Kenya was severely tested. Running wide and fifth into the home straight, he left himself a lot to do. But straining every sinew, he edged past compatriot Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich in the closing strides to win by 0.04 in 1:45.72.<\/p>\n
Double Olympic champion Sifan Hassan bounced back from her World Championships disappointments to win the women\u2019s 3000m. Running within the pack, she made her move with 250 metres to go, taking over from long-time leader Ejgayehu Taye of Ethiopia. Looking strong and focused, she added a second kick with 100 metres to go and eased clear to win in 8:39.27. <\/p>\n
World indoor bronze medallist Taye held off world 10,000m bronze medallist Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi for second place in 8:40.14.<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s javelin was won by world bronze medallist Haruka Kitaguchi of Japan with a dramatic final-round throw of 65.10m to snatch victory from evergreen double Olympic champion Barbora Spotakova, the Czech\u2019s best being an opening round 62.29m.<\/p>\n
In the men\u2019s event, Olympic silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic won with a fourth-round throw of 86.68m. Germany\u2019s Julian Weber and USA\u2019s Curtis Thompson took second and third with 84.94m and 82.39m respectively.<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s high jump was won by Uzbekistan\u2019s Safina Sadullayeva, taking a surprise win on countback over world silver medallist Yaroslava Mahuchikh, both clearing 1.92m.<\/p>\n
Chris Broadbent for World Athletics and the Wanda Diamond League<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Mondo Duplantis, Alison Dos Santos and Femke Bol were among the meeting record breakers at the...","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":2743,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[795,6,820,412,50,831,819,624],"city":[],"class_list":["post-2742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-795","tag-diamond-league","tag-dos-santos","tag-duplantis","tag-fraser-pryce","tag-poland","tag-silesia","tag-wanda"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondleague.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2742","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondleague.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondleague.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondleague.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2742"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondleague.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2742\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondleague.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2743"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondleague.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondleague.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondleague.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2742"},{"taxonomy":"city","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondleague.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/city?post=2742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}