Bolt goes sub-10sec in Monaco Diamond League
Jamaica’s Usain Bolt produced his seasonal best of 9.95 seconds (+0.7 m/s) to win the men’s 100m, and was the only Jamaican winner at the Monaco Diamond League in France yesterday.
Bolt, the triple world record holder, wasn’t the quickest away but wasn’t left behind either and although looking a bit sluggish, did enough to secure his first sub-10 clocking of the season and the 53rd of his career, including heats.
American Isiah Young was second in 9.98s and in-form South African Akani Simbine third in 10.02. Ujah Chijindu of Great Britian was fourth also with 10.02. China’s Bangtain Su — the first Asian under the 10-seconds barrier — was fifth in 10.06, the same time as American Mike Rodgers.
The expected clash between Bolt and sprint hurdles champion Omar McLeod never materialised as McLeod was a no-show for the race.
Bolt, who has won 15 straight finals, was last defeated in Rome on June 6, 2013 and will not race again until the World Championships in London.
Bolt, who entered the race with the second slowest time in the field this season, was pleased with his performance.
“It was good, I’m going in the right direction, still lot of work to do. Sub- 10 always good,” said Bolt, as per the IAAF.
“I’m always here for the fans and of course I will miss the vibe around the track,” he added after his last competitive race in Monaco.
But the race was not without controversy as Canadian Andre Degrasse’s coach Staurt McMillian was quoted as saying that his athlete was kicked out of the 100m of the race and missed a chance to face Bolt.
“We were in the race. We got booted out. That’s all on Bolt… Let’s just say he wanted not such an elite field against him,” said McMillian. Bolt’s management team denied McMillan’s claims.
Nevertheless, it was the first time Bolt was dipping below the 10-seconds barrier this season following runs of 10.03 and 10.06 and it was his first appearance since visiting German doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt in June with a stiff back.
Jamaica’s reigning world champion Danielle Williams finished a close third in the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.58.
Williams was just behind in-form Americans Kendra Harrison, who won in 12.51, and second-placed Sharika Nelvis in a season’s best 12.52. It was a morale-boosting performance from the Jamaican champion as she prepares to defend her title in London.
Williams had behind her American Nia Ali who was fourth in 12.68, Australian Olympic champion Sally Pearson in fifth with 12.68 and Jasmin Stowers of the USA in sixth in 12.75.
Jamaica 2014 Commonwealth Games champion Kimberley Williams leapt to a season’s best 14.54m (-0.1 mps) and finished third in the triple jump in a exciting event.
Williams finished behind Olympic champion Caterine Ibarguen of Colombia, who jumped a season’s best 14.86m with her last effort to snatch victory. Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela was leading with 14.72 and responded to Ibarguen’s effort with 14.83 on her last jump but was just short and had to settle for second. Patricia Mamona of Portugal was fourth with 14.18m.
Williams, who will be representing Jamaica in London, had jumps of 14.22m, 14.54m, 14.36m, 14.11m, 14.53m and 14.10m.
In the women’s 400m hurdles, Janieve Russell and Leah Nugent were third and eighth in 54.38 and 58.07 seconds, respectively.
Russell, who was fourth at the Jamaican Senior Championship and missed a spot to London, once again finished ahead of one of the top three finishers, this time Nugent.
While Russell was battling for third, Nugent, who was drawn in lane eight, was never in the hunt and finished at the back in 58.07 and looked very uncomfortable at the end of the race. It’s a far cry from her seasonal best of 54.54 and her personal best of 54.45 suggesting that something might have gone wrong physically.
Nugent’s time might suggest that she could be injured hence the door is not closed for Russell just days before the Jamaican team is named for London.
American Kori Carter ran a blinder from lane six and won in 53.36 seconds, well ahead of compatriot Shamier Little in 54.02. Eilidh Doyle of Great Britain was fourth in 54.75.