Ajee Wilson, Evan Jager Star At Monaco Diamond League
Ajee Wilson, Evan Jager Star At Monaco Diamond League
Ajee Wilson and Evan Jager turned in star performances for Team USA at the 2017 Monaco Diamond League meeting
The Monaco Diamond League meeting lived up to its reputation as the best single-day event on the circuit, with nearly two American record performances on the day and, of course, the legendary showmanship of world record holder Usain Bolt. Check out the live updates blog here.
23-year-old Ajee Wilson ran an utterly fearless race to shatter Jearl Miles Clark's 18-year-old American record of 1:56.4 in 1:55.61. Though she faced Olympic champion Caster Semenya and medalists Margaret Wambui and Francine Niyonsaba, none of whom have lost except to each other in the past calendar year, Wilson was not intimidated and pulled up on the outside of leader Semenya with 200m to go. She fought down the curve and she, Semenya and Niyonsaba battled three abreast on the homestretch only for Semenya to pull away in the final meters to set a new personal best of 1:55.27 and Niyonsaba ran 1:55.47. Wambui faded horribly and finished last in 2:02.13. Read the full race recap here.
Evan Jager of the Bowerman Track Club now officially owns the top ten times in the 3K steeplechase in American history. Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto of Kenya was a late scratch, leaving Rio silver medalist Jager with top billing. The 28-year-old didn't hesitate to run to the front and by the bell lap, he was all alone and just over seven minutes. Before the race, the concern was whether or not he could be the first American to win a Diamond League steeplechase, but by the final lap, a possible American record was brewing.
Jager crossed the line in 8:01.29, just off his record time of 8:00.45, but still his second-fastest ever and fast enough to secure a dominant six-second win over the field. Jairus Birech of Kenya was second in 8:07, while American Stanley Kebenei took third with a new personal best of 8:08.3.
Kipruto said of his withdrawal: "It is a precautionary measure with my ankle. Running is going well at this point. But no worries for World Championships, I will be there."
Despite murmurings about the world record holder purposely watering the field down today, Usain Bolt still managed to clock a much-needed season's best of 9.95, his first time under 10 seconds this year. Isiah Young, who will represent Team USA at worlds after both Christian Coleman and Eli Hall dropped out, was the toughest competitor and challenged Bolt to the line in 9.98.
UTEP's freshman sensation Emmanuel Korir ran to dominant victory in men's 800m, clocking a world-leading time of 1:43.10. The two-time 800m NCAA champion had previously run 1:43.73 during the collegiate season. Though he was spotted at the Kenyan Trials wearing the new Nike kit, there had been no official announcement about his pro status. That may have changed today, as the IAAF tweeted the race was his "professional debut."
Americans Drew Windle and Erik Sowinski also competed, placing fourth and seventh, respectively. Windle started his signature kick a little far out from the action, though his final time of 1:44.72 is close to his PB of 1:44.63.
Botswana's Isaac Makwala made headlines last weekend by pulling off a sub-20 200m and sub-44 400m double within 75 minutes. Today, the 30-year-old
challenged the world record holder, Wayde van Niekerk, in the 400m and was held off only in the last meters, 43.73 to 43.74.
"It was great performance today," van Niekerk said after the race to the IAAF. "I'm feeling positive about it. My body feels to be in great shape and this win from behind gives me lot of confidence. We are not peaking, we trained hard last week, all should be ok for London and my double. I was forced to change my plan when I saw Isaac in front in last 100m. All went well. Ready for the big plan."
Kenya's Elijah Manangoi came away with the victory here in what was one of the most loaded 1500m line-ups yet, shooting past countryman Timothy Cheruiyot in the final meters to set a world-leading time of 3:28.80.
The duo made Monaco a two-man race, passing the 400m and 800m behind the pacers in 53.75 and 1:51.4. They hit the bell lap in 2:48 and Cheruiyot moved ahead of Manangoi; about 75 meters behind, Pre Classic champion Ronald Kwemoi led the chase pack with Olympic champion Matthew Centrowitz lingering around fifth place.
Americans Keni Harrison and Kori Carter maintained their respective winning streaks in the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles, respectively.
Carter's race was first, and she dominated the field by nearly a second to win in 53.36. Runner-up and fellow American Shamier Little didn't really get going until the last half of the race, by which point Carter had too large of a lead.
Harrison's race was much closer than usual as Diamond League leader Sharika Nelvis closed very well. Neither woman knew who won upon the finish and the results took an extra 90 seconds to pop up on the board: Harrison 12.51, Nelvis 12.52.
The world record holder revealed in a post-race interview that she clipped the first hurdle and struggled to regain her rhythm afterward. She also may have raced with her right shoelace undone, as she retweeted the following:
Marie-Josée Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast has challenged Jamaica's double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson all season, but has been unable to secure a win until today in her absence. She asserted her dominance over the field from the gun and cruised to victory in 22.25.
Kyra Jefferson, a recent University of Florida grad now outfitted in a Nike kit, ran a strong second half of the race to take second place in 22.42. Jefferson set the collegiate record in 22.02 en route to winning her first NCAA title in June.
Ajee Wilson Breaks American Record For 800m
23-year-old Ajee Wilson ran an utterly fearless race to shatter Jearl Miles Clark's 18-year-old American record of 1:56.4 in 1:55.61. Though she faced Olympic champion Caster Semenya and medalists Margaret Wambui and Francine Niyonsaba, none of whom have lost except to each other in the past calendar year, Wilson was not intimidated and pulled up on the outside of leader Semenya with 200m to go. She fought down the curve and she, Semenya and Niyonsaba battled three abreast on the homestretch only for Semenya to pull away in the final meters to set a new personal best of 1:55.27 and Niyonsaba ran 1:55.47. Wambui faded horribly and finished last in 2:02.13. Read the full race recap here.
New American Record Holder! @AjeeW celebrates @Diamond_League #monaco @usatf @adidasrunning pic.twitter.com/TkBoU7NDZn
— RayPFlynn (@RayPFlynn) July 21, 2017
AJEE WILSON IS FIRST AMERICAN TO BREAK 1:56! #MONACODL https://t.co/X22YWtTXMR pic.twitter.com/0t4uNPVxmP
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) July 21, 2017
Evan Jager Wins First Diamond League Title With Second-Fastest Time Ever
Evan Jager of the Bowerman Track Club now officially owns the top ten times in the 3K steeplechase in American history. Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto of Kenya was a late scratch, leaving Rio silver medalist Jager with top billing. The 28-year-old didn't hesitate to run to the front and by the bell lap, he was all alone and just over seven minutes. Before the race, the concern was whether or not he could be the first American to win a Diamond League steeplechase, but by the final lap, a possible American record was brewing.
Jager crossed the line in 8:01.29, just off his record time of 8:00.45, but still his second-fastest ever and fast enough to secure a dominant six-second win over the field. Jairus Birech of Kenya was second in 8:07, while American Stanley Kebenei took third with a new personal best of 8:08.3.
Evan Jager captures #MonacoDL win in 8:01.29, second-fastest time in U.S. history! https://t.co/X22YWubzbr pic.twitter.com/lZ4qqmaHqT
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) July 21, 2017
With Olympic champ Kipruto a late scratch, Jager doesn't hesitate for first Diamond League win #MonacoDL ---> https://t.co/X22YWtTXMR pic.twitter.com/Ai4tvjwNGs
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) July 21, 2017
Kipruto said of his withdrawal: "It is a precautionary measure with my ankle. Running is going well at this point. But no worries for World Championships, I will be there."
Usain Bolt Wins In Season-Best 9.95; USA's Isiah Young Is Top Challenger
Despite murmurings about the world record holder purposely watering the field down today, Usain Bolt still managed to clock a much-needed season's best of 9.95, his first time under 10 seconds this year. Isiah Young, who will represent Team USA at worlds after both Christian Coleman and Eli Hall dropped out, was the toughest competitor and challenged Bolt to the line in 9.98.
Usain Bolt wins for the fans! 9.95 season-best #MonacoDL https://t.co/X22YWubzbr pic.twitter.com/Y9VYzp9I2Z
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) July 21, 2017
Nice run for Isiah Young, who runs 9.98 to keep it close to the GOAT #MonacoDL https://t.co/X22YWubzbr pic.twitter.com/51rXe9jft1
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) July 21, 2017
UTEP's Emmanuel Korir Wins Diamond League Debut
UTEP's freshman sensation Emmanuel Korir ran to dominant victory in men's 800m, clocking a world-leading time of 1:43.10. The two-time 800m NCAA champion had previously run 1:43.73 during the collegiate season. Though he was spotted at the Kenyan Trials wearing the new Nike kit, there had been no official announcement about his pro status. That may have changed today, as the IAAF tweeted the race was his "professional debut."
In his first race as a professional, Emmanuel Korir wins the 800m at the #MonacoDL in a WL of 1:43.10. pic.twitter.com/8vpjiGHwSw
— IAAF (@iaaforg) July 21, 2017
Americans Drew Windle and Erik Sowinski also competed, placing fourth and seventh, respectively. Windle started his signature kick a little far out from the action, though his final time of 1:44.72 is close to his PB of 1:44.63.
Isaac Makwala Lives Up To The Hype vs. van Niekerk
Botswana's Isaac Makwala made headlines last weekend by pulling off a sub-20 200m and sub-44 400m double within 75 minutes. Today, the 30-year-old
challenged the world record holder, Wayde van Niekerk, in the 400m and was held off only in the last meters, 43.73 to 43.74.
"It was great performance today," van Niekerk said after the race to the IAAF. "I'm feeling positive about it. My body feels to be in great shape and this win from behind gives me lot of confidence. We are not peaking, we trained hard last week, all should be ok for London and my double. I was forced to change my plan when I saw Isaac in front in last 100m. All went well. Ready for the big plan."
Elijah Manangoi Sets 1500m World Lead, Centro Is Ninth
Kenya's Elijah Manangoi came away with the victory here in what was one of the most loaded 1500m line-ups yet, shooting past countryman Timothy Cheruiyot in the final meters to set a world-leading time of 3:28.80.
The duo made Monaco a two-man race, passing the 400m and 800m behind the pacers in 53.75 and 1:51.4. They hit the bell lap in 2:48 and Cheruiyot moved ahead of Manangoi; about 75 meters behind, Pre Classic champion Ronald Kwemoi led the chase pack with Olympic champion Matthew Centrowitz lingering around fifth place.
Cento takes ninth in 3:34.43, a second off his SB #MonacoDL --> https://t.co/X22YWubzbr pic.twitter.com/NMDsAX1YlI
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) July 21, 2017
Keni Harrison, Kori Carter Maintain Hurdles Winning Streaks
Americans Keni Harrison and Kori Carter maintained their respective winning streaks in the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles, respectively.
Carter's race was first, and she dominated the field by nearly a second to win in 53.36. Runner-up and fellow American Shamier Little didn't really get going until the last half of the race, by which point Carter had too large of a lead.
Convincing win for American Kori Carter in 53.36! Shamier Little closes well for second in 54.02 #MonacoDL --> https://t.co/X22YWubzbr pic.twitter.com/jzlOcBj2sj
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) July 21, 2017
Harrison's race was much closer than usual as Diamond League leader Sharika Nelvis closed very well. Neither woman knew who won upon the finish and the results took an extra 90 seconds to pop up on the board: Harrison 12.51, Nelvis 12.52.
The world record holder revealed in a post-race interview that she clipped the first hurdle and struggled to regain her rhythm afterward. She also may have raced with her right shoelace undone, as she retweeted the following:
WOW! @Ken_AYE_ 12.51 in Monaco WITH your right shoe lace undone!!! Don't you dare test our nerves like that in London Worlds!! !!
— Marty Etheridge (@MartyEtheridge) July 21, 2017
Marie-Josée Ta Lou Shines In 200m In Absence Of Elaine Thompson
Marie-Josée Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast has challenged Jamaica's double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson all season, but has been unable to secure a win until today in her absence. She asserted her dominance over the field from the gun and cruised to victory in 22.25.
Kyra Jefferson, a recent University of Florida grad now outfitted in a Nike kit, ran a strong second half of the race to take second place in 22.42. Jefferson set the collegiate record in 22.02 en route to winning her first NCAA title in June.