Men’s review: Powell, Rudisha in the spotlight

Excitement at today’s Diamond League ExxonMobil Bislett Games in Oslo went on until the very last competition. In front of a sold out stadium, the world’s finest track and field athletes showed their strength. One name above all other: Jamaica’s Asafa Powell, the fastest man on earth at the moment. He covered the 100m in 9.72 seconds, but the wind (+2.1 m/s) made the time “illegal”. Second finished Richard Thompson (TRI) in 9.90, third Churandy Martina (AHO) in 9.92.

“I did not feel the wind. Anyway, I like the feeling to see 9.72 in the scoreboard”, Powell said afterwards. “I had a pretty comfortable race, good start, good finish, but for sure it wasn’t a perfect race. I’m ready to meet anybody now. There are two Diamond League wins on my side, and I hope more will come.”

Jaysuma Ndure (NOR/10.14 in the final race) did not match the high expectations for his first race sub 10. “My action was more or less the opposite from Powell’s”, he joked in the Press Conference.

On a very high level performed David Rudisha (KEN) in the 800m race. His 1:42.04 meant new stadium record – until now, Sebastian Coe’s record, 1:42.33 from July 5th, 1979, remained untouched. After a nail-biting battle, Abubaker Kaki Khamis finished second with 1:42.23 which meant new record for Sudan, and Marcin Lewandowski from Poland came in third (1:44.56).

“It was my goal to break this record”, Rudisha said. “I’m very happy with the way I was running. The pace was excellent and I was able to control it afterwards. I’m not thinking about the world record, more about being consistently at a 1:42 level.”

Sebastian Coe followed the race from the stands. “There was no disappointment or anger, only joy to see my old record broken in such a nice way and such an exciting race. Rudisha is a role model for an 800m athlete. If he could be the first one under 100 seconds? I don’t know, for sure I do not want to put pressure on him.”

Home town hero Andreas Thorkildsen respected the odds and got first place in the javelin throw after 2006 and 2008 again. With 86.00 meters, he was 67 centimeters longer than Petr Frydrych (CZE) and 96 centimeters better than Teemu Wirkkala (FIN). The duel with Tero Pitkämäki (FIN) did not happen; Pitkämäki finished fourth (84.43 m).

Thorkildsen praised the crowd: “It is as always amazing and very supportive. Of course, in front of a home crowd you are always under pressure. Today, the wind was quite difficult, I’m happy with first place.”

Steven Hooker’s early exit at today’s pole vault event cleared the way for Renaud Lavillenie (FRA). He jumped his seasonal best with 5.80m in the third attempt and failed three times on 5.92m. Germany’s Malte Mohr got second place (5.70m) and remains in the lead of the discipline in the Diamond League. Aleksander Gripich (RUS) came third (5.60m).

“Today, we got very difficult wind. It was not easy to turn around, it was hard to have a good technique”, Lavillenie said. “Even the sun was shining on and against us. Therefore, I’m very satisfied with the outcome of the competition. This season, I am focused on the European Championships first and on the Diamond League second.”

In men’s shot put, Christian Cantwell (USA) reached 21.31m for first place; runner-up was Dylan Armstrong (CAN) with 21.16m, third placed Tomasz Majewski (POL) with 21.12m. It was the second victory in two Diamond League competitions. It means that the athlete, whose goal it is to win all competitions, is still on track…

“I came here a little bit late yesterday”, the winner said, “so I was slightly off but came into the rhythm in the second part of the competition. My last throw was close to 22 meters (but invalid). One day this year a big throw will come. It just must happen. We are still at the beginning of the season.”

Like in the women’s steeplechase, the race for the diamond in the men’s 400m hurdles men could become especially tight as well. Clement Kerron (USA) won in 48.12 and took revenge against his compatriot Bershawn Jackson. The winner of the race in Doha clocked second in 48.25. Third was Briton David Greene in 49.05 seconds. Kerron and Jackson lead now the overall with six points both.

“48.1 is a great time, I’m satisfied”, Kerron commented. “This ist my first appearance at Bislett, I will have good memories! In the last couple of days, I was working on my curve before the finish. Today, I did 13 strides all the way round and I was confident that I would win entering the final 100m. So far, the season went good for me!”

In the 5000m race, Imane Merga (ETH/12:53.81 minutes) was not to beat. He finished just inches in front of fellow countryman Tariku Bekele (12:53.97). Bernard Legat got third place in 12:54.12. This time was good enough for a new American record.

“I followed the leaders – this was my tactic. I relayed to my fast finish and thought to be on the podium. The big goal, however, is to win the African Championship this year.”

The meet ended with the World lead time of 3:49.83 minutes over the Dream Mile. Kenia’s Asbel Kiprop got first place in front of Mekonnen Gebremedhin (ETH/3:49.83) and Gideon Gathimba (KEN/3:50.53).

Kiprop said: “It is always nice to win the Dream Mile. I was able to control the last meters. My next race will be a good speed test, the 800 meters in New York.”