Reigning world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won Friday’s (28 May) Doha Diamond League 100m dash, running her fastest time since 2019.
Fraser-Pryce coasted to 10.84 seconds (+1.1 m/s) to remind her supporters and doubters that it is unwise to bet against her this summer.
“I’m happy that I put together a good race, and of course, I’m happy that I won,” said Fraser-Pryce. She finished fourth at the opening Wanda Diamond League in Gateshead.
“I am excited about this season. I am progressing. It is going to be my final Olympic appearance, so I hope it will be good. The last three Olympics I went to, I was able to stand on the podium. I’m hoping to be able to make it there again God willing,” said the two-time Olympic 100m champion.
Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria finished second in a season’s best 10.90 and American Javianne Oliver third in 11.03.
Grenadian Kirani James finished fourth in the men’s 400m. The 2011 World and 2012 Olympic Games champion ran a season-best 44.61 in the high-profile field.
American Michael Norman won in a world-leading 44.27 ahead of Anthony Jose Zambrano, 44.57 and Fred Kerley, 44.60.
“I was happy to be back here because the last time I didn’t do a good performance here in Doha,” said Norman, who failed to make the 400m final at the Doha 2019 World Championships.
“I’m happy with the progress I made. I give a lot of credit to my coach for everything he does for me; we are on the right path.
“My next focus is Monaco, but I hope that my schedule will allow me to go there.”
Bahamian Jamal Wilson cleared 2.24m for fifth in the men’s high jump, while his compatriot Donald Thomas jumped 2.20m to finish eighth. Ilya Inanyuk won the event with a clearance of 2.33m. Hometown hero Mutaz Essa Barshim and current world champion finished second with a clearance of 2.30m.
“My target is definitely Tokyo, so I will be working for the next competition,” said Barshim.
Kimberly Williams and Shanieka Ricketts finished second and third in the women’s triple.
New Zealand’s Tomas Walsh put the men’s shot 21.63 metres to beat Fillip Mihaljevic, 20.89m in the final throw-off. Armin Sinancevic, who threw 21.88 in the fifth round, fouled in the throw-off and had to settle for third place.
Kenyan Norah Jeruto ran a world-leading 9:00.67 to win the women’s 3,000m steeplechase.
“I am happy to win here in Doha again. The competition was tough. Also, the weather is not like the one we have in Kenya, but I am happy to win this race because I always try to do my best.” Ethiopian Mekides Abebe ran a national record 9:02.52 to take second place.
