by Larry Eder
The photo above, and the story below are the work of Jeff Shaver, ASICS Aggie lifer, who works for Greenvolts, and spends much time in the Far East. RBR needed some coverage of the Shanghai GP and Jeff emailed me to see if he could get tickets for said meet. I offered him a media credential, remembering the cult like status that Mr. Shaver availed himself by visiting several Super Toto Meetings in Japan and providing many of you, dear readers, with a thoughtful study of Toto’s super urininals, besides proving some insights into various track athletes motivation for racing late in the season (some were based on economic needs).
(If you decide you need to meet the writer, please note that Mr. Shaver, hopefully, will be at the US champs in Eugene, where you can purchase him an adult beverage at many times during the day!)
Image via Wikipedia
2011 Dunlop Shanghai Golden Grand Prix
Part of IAAF Samsung Diamond League
Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai P.R.C.
Sunday May 15, 2011
By: Jeff Shaver
This was Meet 2 of the 2011 IAAF Diamond League series and the 2nd year for this meet in Shanghai.
The stadium is right in middle of busy suburb of Shanghai, surrounded by high rise apartments. The meet hotel is attached to stadium – could see part of the track from my room window. Also attached to the stadium are a McDonald’s, a Family Mart convenience store, a Kung Fu (Chinese fast food), Club Gaga – complete with head bashing music and puking teenagers, and “Country Gentleman Restaurant”, amongst other establishments.
There was definitely not as much emphasis on food and drink in the stands as in Japanese sporting events. Perhaps because the meet was held on a Sunday evening after dinner time.
Meet Highlights:
• China went 1 & 3 in Women’s Shot Put in the meet’s first event to get the local crowd fired up.
• The crowd was the loudest for the Men’s Javelin warm-up throws – they cheered every throw.
• Announcers totally blew the pronunciation of many non-Chinese athlete and country names. I would have expected them to practice for a meet of this magnitude.
• There were 11 Kenyans, 2 Chinese, & 1 Ethiopian in the Men’s 1500. Nixon Chepseba of Kenya won in a 2011 world leader of 3:31.42, just holding off the 2011 seasonal best of fellow countryman Asbel Kiprop (3:31.76). The 2 Chinese men nearly got lapped despite running 3:46.
• Veronica Campbell Brown (Jamaica) and Carmelita Jeter (USA) were way out in front of the rest of the field in the Women’s 100m, running 10.92 and 10.95 respectively.
• Calvin Smith led a USA sweep in the Men’s 400m in 45.47, 3 hundredths faster than Greg Nixon.
• A 2011 World Leader of 8:02.28 by Kenyan Brimin Kipruto just held off Kenyan Paul Koech (8:02.42) in the Men’s 3000m Steeplechase. American Ben Bruce ran a big last lap, preventing a 1 thru 12 African sweep by passing the lone South African in the race to finish 12th in a seasonal best of 8:26.00.
• Blanka Vlasic of Croatia easily won the Women’s High Jump in an =WL 1.94m. She looked great in her 3 misses at 1.97.
• Asafa Powell (Jamaica) held off a late rush by Michael Rodgers (USA) to win in 9.95.
• A world leading 8.44 leap by Mitchell Watt of Australia easily won the Men’s Long Jump.
• 9 Kenyans and 3 Ethiopians battled it out in the Women’s 5000m. With 4 women still together at the start of the final lap, Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya was able to muster up the fastest finish to win in a 2011 world leading 14:31.92 over Sentayehu Ejigu of Ethiopia.
• In the Men’s Javelin Tero Pitkamaki of Finland eked out a narrow victory over Andreas Thorkildsen of Finland in a world leading 85.33.
• The last event of the day, the Men’s 110m Hurdles, brought the house down. The Chinese flags came out and the crowd erupted when Xiang Liu (China – born in Shanghai) was introduced. The announcers had to remind the crowd several times to be quiet for the race start. He disappointed no one as he easily beat David Oliver (USA) in a world leading 13.07. They loved his topless victory lap just as much as his win.
High rise apartment buildings peeking out behind the Shanghai Stadium (Photo by Jeff Shaver)
Shanghai Stadium has everything anybody could possibly need (Photo by Jeff Shaver)
Blanka Vlasic deep in thought right before her final jump (Photo by Jeff Shaver)
Xiang Liu surrounded by photographers right after his victory (Photo by Jeff Shaver)
The new 2011 Aggie Centipede Urinal by Toto on display at Shanghai Stadium (Photo by Jeff Shaver)
Samsung Diamond League Shanghai
Shanghai, 15/05/2011
Men’ results
100 Metres – Men Wind: +0.3 m/s
Pts
1 Powell , Asafa JAM 9.95 4
2 Rodgers , Mike USA 10.01 &n
bsp; 2
3 Forsythe , Mario JAM 10.12 1
4 Martina , Churandy NED 10.19
5 Edwards , Monzavous USA 10.31
6 Zhang , Peimeng CHN 10.36
7 Lao , Yi CHN 10.37
8 Takahira , Shinji JPN 10.51
Saidy Ndure , Jaysuma NOR DNF
400 Metres – Men
Pts
1 Smith , Calvin USA 45.47 4
2 Nixon , Greg USA 45.50 2
3 Neville , David USA 45.58 1
4 Kanemaru , Yuzo JPN 45.85
5 Brenes , Nery CRC 45.99
6 Yousif , Rabah SUD 46.03
7 Wroe , Sean AUS 46.88
8 Chen , Jianxin CHN 46.97
9 Deng , Shijie CHN 48.11
1500 Metres – Men
Pts
1 Chepseba , Nixon Kiplimo KEN 3:31.42 4
2 Kiprop , Asbel KEN 3:31.76 2
3 Gebremedhin , Mekonnen ETH 3:32.36 1
4 Kiplagat , Silas KEN 3:32.70
5 Choge , Augustine Kiprono KEN 3:33.38
6 Komen , Daniel Kipchirchir KEN 3:33.41
7 Birgen , Bethwell KEN 3:34.59
8 Rono , Geoffrey Kipkoech KEN 3:35.07
9 Tanui , William Biwott KEN 3:35.29 &n
bsp;
10 Kombich , Ismael Kipngetich KEN 3:35.39
11 Gathimba , Gideon KEN 3:36.51
12 Kemboi , Nicholas Kiptanui KEN 3:37.62
13 Zhang , Haikun CHN 3:46.30
14 Wei , Shouchun CHN 3:46.52
Lalang , Boaz Kiplagat KEN DNF
Ndiwa , Remmy Limo KEN DNF
Polonet , Vickson Naran KEN DNF
3000 Metres Steeplechase – Men
Pts
1 Kipruto , Brimin Kiprop KEN 8:02.28 4
2 Koech , Paul Kipsiele KEN 8:02.42 2
3 Yego , Hillary Kipsang KEN 8:07.71 1
4 Langat , Patrick Kipkirui KEN 8:08.59
5 Mateelong , Richard Kipkemboi KEN 8:11.07
6 Kiplagat , Benjamin UGA 8:12.87
7 Kipterege , Elijah Chelimo KEN 8:20.53
8 Kitum , Silas Kosgei KEN 8:20.87
9 Ndiku , Jonathan Muia KEN 8:20.89
10 Chumba , Linus Kipwambok KEN 8:24.10
11 Mesfin , Nahom ETH 8:24.25
12 Bruce , Ben USA 8:26.00
13 Ramolefi , Ruben RSA 8:27.38
14 Slattery , Steve USA 8:28.52
15 Pokrop , Hubert POL 8:34.47
16 Yang , Le CHN 8:43.32
17 Lin , Xiangqian CHN 8:56.51
Lagat , Haron KEN DNF
110 Metres Hurdles – Men Wind: +0.2 m/s
Pts
1 Liu , Xiang CHN 13.07 4
2 Oliver , David USA 13.18 2
3 Merritt , Aries USA 13.24 1 &
nbsp;
4 Thomas , Dwight JAM 13.31
5 Shi , Dongpeng CHN 13.52
6 Brown , Joel USA 13.59
7 Wilson , Ryan USA 13.63
8 Xie , Wenjun CHN 13.63
9 Tanonaka , Tasuku JPN 14.19
Long Jump – Men
Pts Wind
1 Watt , Mitchell AUS 8.44 4 +0.8
2 Su , Xiongfeng CHN 8.19 2 -0.1
3 Gaisah , Ignisious GHA 8.12 1 -0.2
4 Phillips , Dwight USA 8.07 +0.4
5 Zhang , Xiaoyi CHN 8.04 +0.4
6 Martínez , Wilfredo CUB 7.96 +0.2
7 Smith , Tyrone BER 7.86 -0.1
8 Gomis , Kafétien FRA 7.73 -0.3
Bispo , Rogério BRA NM
Lapierre , Fabrice AUS NM
Javelin Throw – Men
Pts
1 Pitkämäki , Tero FIN 85.33 4
2 Thorkildsen , Andreas NOR 85.12 2
3 Oosthuizen , John Robert RSA 83.73 1
4 Wirkkala , Teemu FIN 82.39
5 Janik , Igor POL 82.09
6 Frydrych , Petr CZE 79.40
7 Qin , Qiang &n
bsp; CHN 79.22
8 Chen , Qi CHN 78.08
9 Kovals , Ainars LAT 77.61
10 Farquhar , Stuart NZL 77.17
11 Vadlejch , Jakub CZE 75.75
Women’ results
100 Metres – Women Wind: +1.2 m/s
Pts
1 Campbell-Brown , Veronica JAM 10.92 4
2 Jeter , Carmelita USA 10.95 2
3 Okagbare , Blessing NGR 11.23 1
4 Moore , LaShauntea USA 11.25
5 Simpson , Sherone JAM 11.28
6 Zang Milama , Ruddy GAB 11.29
7 Asumnu , Gloria USA 11.39
8 Ye , Jiabei CHN 11.83
9 Liang , Qiuping CHN 11.86
800 Metres – Women
Pts
1 Meadows , Jennifer GBR 2:00.54 4
2 Akkaoui , Malika MAR 2:01.45 2
3 Cichocka , Angelika POL 2:01.75 1
4 Masn√° , Lenka CZE 2:02.21
5 Plis , Renata POL 2:02.67
6 Setowska-Dryk , Ewelina POL 2:03.00
7 Sum , Eunice Jepkoech KEN 2:03.09
8 Kampf , Heather USA 2:03.85
9 Andrianova , Tatyana RUS 2:04.10
10 Zhao , Jing CHN 2:04.41
11 Lu , Shuyi CHN 2:07.27
Soldatova , Olga RUS DNF
5000 Metres – Women
&nbs
p; Pts
1 Cheruiyot , Vivian Jepkemoi KEN 14:31.92 4
2 Ejigu , Sentayehu ETH 14:32.87 2
3 Masai , Linet Chepkwemoi KEN 14:32.95 1
4 Kibiwot , Viola Jelagat KEN 14:34.86
5 Cherono , Mercy KEN 14:37.17
6 Cherono , Priscah Jepleting KEN 14:40.86
7 Korikwiang , Pauline Chemning KEN 14:41.28
8 Utura , Sule ETH 14:46.32
9 Melkamu , Meselech ETH 14:50.94
10 Chemtai , Esther KEN 15:02.55
11 Njoroge , Mercy Wanjiku KEN 15:17.03
12 Muriuki , Margaret Wangari KEN 15:19.89
Obiri , Helen KEN DNF
Tverdostup , Tamara UKR DNF
400 Metres Hurdles – Women
Pts
1 Spencer , Kaliese JAM 54.20 4
2 Demus , Lashinda USA 54.58 2
3 Walker , Melaine JAM 54.96 1
4 Odumosu , Muizat Ajoke NGR 56.39
5 Boden , Lauren AUS 56.57
6 Kubokura , Satomi JPN 56.94
7 Yang , Qi CHN 57.23
8 Leach , Nicole USA 58.41
9 Morosanu , Angela ROU 1:01.31
High Jump – Women
Pts
1 Vlašic , Blanka CRO 1.94 4
2 Styopina , Vita UKR 1.90 2
2 Dusanova , Nadiya &nb
sp; UZB 1.90 2
2 Zheng , Xingjuan CHN 1.90 2
5 Aitova , Marina KAZ 1.90
6 Ustinova , Anna KAZ 1.85
7 Radzivil , Svetlana UZB 1.85
7 Beitia , Ruth ESP 1.85
9 Chen , Yanjun CHN 1.80
9 Slesarenko , Elena RUS 1.80
Pole Vault – Women
Pts
1 Spiegelburg , Silke GER 4.55 4
2 Hingst , Carolin GER 4.50 2
3 Saxer , Mary USA 4.50 1
4 Kiryashova , Aleksandra RUS 4.40
5 Schwartz , Jillian ISR 4.40
6 Li , Ling CHN 4.40
6 Savchenko , Anastasiya RUS 4.40
8 Silva , Yarisley CUB 4.20
9 Li , Caixia CHN 4.20
Triple Jump – Women
Pts Wind
1 Savigne , Yargeris CUB 14.68 4 +0.5
2 Li , Yanmei CHN 14.35 2 +0.3
3 Rypakova , Olga KAZ 14.17 1 +0.0
4 Kutyakova , Natalya RUS 14.05 +0.5
5 Pérra , Athanasía GRE 14.05 -0.1
6 Rodic , Snežana SLO 13.92 +0.8
7 Gay , Mabel CUB 13.91
+0.1
8 Pyatykh , Anna RUS 13.86 +0.4
9 Xie , Limei CHN 13.68 +0.1
10 Trybanska , Malgorzata POL 13.63 +0.4
Aldama , Yamilé SUD DNS
Shot Put – Women
Pts
1 Gong , Lijiao CHN 19.94 4
2 Camarena-Williams , Jillian USA 19.35 2
3 Li , Ling CHN 19.30 1
4 Liu , Xiangrong CHN 18.54
5 Mikhnevich , Natallia BLR 17.79
6 Carter , Michelle USA 17.71
7 Cérival , Jessica FRA 16.90
8 Kopets , Alena BLR 16.82
9 Heaston , Kristin USA 16.63
10 Urbaniak , Lena GER 15.86
Discus Throw – Women
Pts
1 Perkovic , Sandra CRO 65.58 4
2 Li , Yanfeng CHN 62.73 2
3 Samuels , Dani AUS 61.98 1
4 Thurmond , Aretha USA 60.98
5 Lewis-Smallwood , Gia USA 60.64
6 Tan , Jian CHN 60.50
7 Sun , Taifeng CHN 60.04
8 Glanc , Zaneta POL 59.68
9 Breisch , Becky USA 57.05
10 Ma , Xuejun CHN 54.83
Barrios , Yarelis CUB NM
