Shanghai DL Preview, Lavillenie debuts, great high hurdles, Gatlin to chase WL

Renaud Lavillenie, photo by PhotoRun.net

Lavillenie debuts into the season, great high hurdles, Gatlin to chase WL, Rudisha wants MR

SHANGHAI (CHN): IAAF Diamond League continues with second set of events in the second meet of the series in China. Home elite will aim for wins mainly in men long jump and high jump, fast times expected in both relays from Chinese teams. Internationally seen the season debut of Renaud Lavillenie, David Rudisha Shanghai return, high hurdles and Justin Gatlin are the highlights. Several meet records under threat.

Event by event

MEN

100 m: Gatlin won in Kawasaki with 10.02 but the fastest this year is Ogunode with a world-leading 9.91 although Gatlin has run a windy 9.90 this year.
800 m: Rudisha is aiming to challenge the meet record of 1:44.63.
5000 m: Top Ethiopians Alamirew, Kejelcha, Gebrhiwet and Edris are in action but Kenyans Choge, Longosiwa and Soi will challenge. Will the meet record of 13:04.83 fall? WL for sure.
110 m H: Climax of the programme. McLeod will be looking to break 13 seconds after wins at the Drake Relays (13.08) and Doha (13.05). Top six from Doha will return for Shanghai.
400 m H: Wide open race featuring world champion Bett and world bronze medallist Gibson, who is the fastest on paper this year with 48.96. Van Zyl already won the national title this year.
HJ (non DL): Bondarenko opens the season against top home duo Zhang and Wang.
LJ: Samaai leads the rankings with 834 but this is a wide open contest with Lapierre, Henderson and Chinese elite.
PV: Season debut for Lavillenie, World champ Barber also wants to win.
JT: Czechs Vadlejch and Vesely are in action but world silver medallist Abdelrahman and world fourth placer Rohler will also contend.
SP: World champion Joe Kovacs has already thrown a 21.47 WL and will go head-to-head with in-form world indoor champion Tom Walsh.

WOMEN

200 m: An expected head-to-head between VCB and Ahoure with Shelly-Ann FP a scratch.
400 m: World silver Miller has been in excellent shape this season and holds the WL at 49.69. Will she break her PB of 49.67 tomorrow?
1500 m: With Hassan injured, world silver holder Kipyegon is the favourite but Ethiopians Seyaum and Tsegay will be dangerous in a sprint finish. Former world champion Simpson will also compete while Obiri returns to Diamond League action after maternity leave. WL should fall.
Steeple: World champion Kiyeng leads the Kenyan group with Assefa and Ayalew their Ethiopian challenge. Fastest in the field this year is India’s Babar (9:27.09).
LJ: World champ Bartoletta faces world bronze medallist Spanovic. Surprise from Nettey and Ugen possible.
HJ: Spencer and Simic are the favourites in a competition without 2 m jumper.
DT: Beijing rematch Caballero vs Perkovic. But also Perez has the shape this year.

Author

Alfonz Juck
Alfonz Juck is a husband, father, statistician, announcer, journalist, organizer, agent usw, following track and field since 1972. EME NEWS is a news service relating to the sport of athletics. It is published on daily basis with additional updates, as required. Copyright is held by Alfons Juck, TOP ATHLETICS, a.s., Krikova 10, 82107 Bratislava, Slovakia. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The redistribution and/or direct reproduction of material from EME NEWS is prohibited unless permission is given by c TOP ATHLETICS (such as being included in a subscription agreement).
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