Jamaicans Omar McLeod and Janieve Russell, along with Bahamian Shaunae Miller were impressive at Saturday’s (26 May) Prefontaine Classic, the third stop in the IAAF Diamond League Series, in Eugene, USA.
Miller-Uibo dominated the women’s 400m, winning by more than 10 metres, crossing the line in a world-leading 49.52. She was more than a second clear of runner-up American World champion Phyllis Francis, who clocked 50.81, narrowly ahead of Shakima Wimbley (50.84).
“I feel like I’ve gotten really strong this year and the race just felt really great,” said Miller-Uibo. “There are some things to work on going forward but for this early, in the season I will take that.”
McLeod produced another flawless display in the men’s 110m hurdles, clocking 13.01 with the aid of a 3.1m/s tailwind. Sergey Shubenkov was second in 13.08 while Devon Allen ended third in 13.13.
In the women’s 400m hurdles, Janieve Russell left it late, moving from third to first after the last barrier to edge Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad of the US, 54.06 to 54.09.
LYLES IMPROVES TO 19.69 at Prefontaine Classic
The men’s 200m produced an equally stunning performance from Noah Lyles, who on Friday had informed the media that he believed he was ready to run 19.7.
He was wrong, as it turned out, because the 20-year-old American went even faster, smashing his personal best to clock 19.69, the joint-fastest time in the world this year.
Lyles had a great target to chase around the bend in the shape of Isaac Makwala of Botswana, and the pair turned for home locked together out in front of the chasing pack. However, Makwala soon pulled up with injury, leaving Lyles at the front, alone, charging his way to the finish while maintaining astonishing relaxation, and indeed pace.
“Finishing is my strong suit,” said Lyles. “So when I came off and saw I was ahead of the pack I was really excited, and I knew this was going to be a fast time.”
Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago was a distant second in 20.05, with Aaron Brown of Canada third in 20.07.
Elsewhere, Ronnie Baker produced the fastest 100m of the year when clocking a wind-assisted 9.78 (+2.4m/s) to take victory in the non-scoring event.
Baker had trailed early in the race behind world indoor 60m champion Christian Coleman, but over the final 30 metres he reeled in his US compatriot, with Coleman having to settle for second in 9.84. Britain’s Reece Prescod continued his good form by taking third in 9.88, with China’s Su Bingtian fourth in 9.90.
TA LOU TAKES 100M SHOWDOWN
Marie-Josee Ta Lou continued her winning ways in the women’s 100m, coming from behind to beat fellow Ivorian Murielle Ahoure in a wind-legal 10.88 (+1.9m/s). Ahoure was close behind with 10.90, while Olympic champion Elaine Thompson of Jamaica took third with 10.98.
