by Alfonz Juck
Noah Lyles versus Micheal Norman, 200m, with Norman’s win, 19.70 WL/PB to 19.72, photo by PhotoRun.net
The Golden Gala Pietro Mennea Rome was held last night in Rome, Italy at Stadio Olimpico on 6 June 2019! Wonderful weather helped Rome deliver. Eight world leads, two meet records and 38,000 fans showcased our sport well. Here’s the event by event review, plus a highlight You Tube video!
Norman 19.70, Lyles 19.72 and much more
ROME (ITA, June 6): In the top weather conditions 8 World leads and 2 meet records were registered. Some 38 000 watched the meet at Stadio Olimpico which will have a break in 2020 and possibly also in 2021 (meet going to Milano). Highlights included returns to near top form for Elaine Thompson and Genzebe Dibaba, plus Michael Norman’s 19.70 and Malaika Mihambo’s 7.07m. Also from 16 events in 12 European leads 2019 were achieved (including WL´s). Surprise wins for Tilahun in super depth 5000 m and Bengtsson in pole vault.
Short event by event reviews
Men
A great 200m, Norman over Lyles, photo by PhotoRun.net
200m – Michael Norman took 0.14 off his PB with a world lead and meet record of 19.70. He held off the late charge of Noah Lyles, who had the same time and suffered his first 200m loss since January 2017. Alex Quinonez was third in 20.17 and Ramil Guliyev was fourth in 20.35.
Brazier over Amos, photo by PhotoRun.net
800m – Despite being boxed slightly in the home straight, Donavon Brazier edged Nijel Amos by 0.02 with a world lead 1:43.63, just off his PB. Brandon McBride was third with a season’s best 1:43.90. Kszczot went for EL as 7th 1:44.74.
A close 5000m! photo by PhotoRun.net
5000m – With a 54.7 last lap, Tilahun Haile Bekele, just fifth in Shanghai, emerged as the big new name, coming through a narrow gap on the inside at the end to run a world lead and PB of 12:52.98. Selemon Barega was pipped as he clocked 12:53.04. Hagos Gebrhwet was third on 12:54.92. Birhanu Balew set a PB in fourth with 12:56.26. In sixth, Mohammed Ahmed set a Canadian record of 12:58.16. Great marks for European runners, Butchart 8th 13:09.33 EL, Crippa 9th 13:09.52 PB and Filip Ingebritgsten 13:11.75 as 14th (from 13:30).
A close steeplechase! photo by PhotoRun.net
3000m steeplechase – Benjamin Kigen came away over the final lap to set a world lead and PB of 8:06.13. Seven tenths back was Getnet Wale with a PB and third was Chala Beyo in 8:09.95. Here EL for Spanish Carro 8:15.73 PB as fifth.
Shubenkov takes the 110m hurdles, photo by PhotoRun.net
110m hurdles: Winner Sergey Shubenkov finished well to clock 13.26 EL, three hundredths ahead of Andy Pozzi. Third was Antonio Alkana on 13.30. The top three set season’s bests.
Rai Benjamin, photo by PhotoRun.net
400m hurdles (non-DL) – Rai Benjamin dominated with a season’s best of 47.58 (his second best ever) with compatriot David Kendziera second on 48.99. Takatoshi Abe was third in 49.57.
Bohdan Bondarenko, photo by PhotoRun.net
High jump – Bohdan Bondarenko continued his return from injury with a win in 2.31m, which he cleared first time (and equalled WL). Majd Ghazal was second with 2.28m and Maksim Nedasekau was third with 2.28m with top poker.
Omar Craddock, photo by PhotoRun.net
Triple jump – Omar Craddock took the win a second-round 17.50m, three centimetres better than Pedro Pablo Pichardo (EL). Donald Scott was third with 17.43 PB.
Konrad Bukowiecki upset shot put, photo by PhotoRun.net
Shot put – Konrad Bukowiecki added 31cm to his outdoor PB with a meeting record (and EL) of 21.97m in the fifth round, beating Darrell Hall (21.71m) into second. Darlan Romani was third with 21.68m. Joe Kovacs set a season’s best of 21.46m for fourth.
Women
Elaine Thompson over Dina Asher-Smith, photo by PhotoRun.net
100m – Elaine Thompson returned to form with a world lead of 10.89, her best since August 2017. In second on 10.94 (also EL), Dina Asher-Smith suffered her first loss of the season. Aleia Hobbs was third in 11.12, three hundredths ahead of Jenna Prandini.
Salwa Eid Naser takes 400m, photo by PhotoRun.net
400m – Salwa Eid Naser backed up wins in Doha and Shanghai with victory in a year’s best of 50.26. Well back was Shericka Jackson in 51.05 with Stephenie-Ann McPherson third in 51.39.
Genzebe Dibaba, photo by PhotoRun.net
1500m – Genzebe Dibaba held off the equally fast-finishing Laura Muir as the winner ran her fastest time since her 2015 world record. Her 3:56.28 was a world lead. Muir’s 3:56.73 was her second best ever and EL. Gudaf Tsegaye faded to 3:59.96 for third as Jenny Simpson was fourth in a season’s best 4:01.18.
Dailah Muhammed takes the 400m hurdles, photo by PhotoRun.net
400m hurdles – Dalilah Muhammad was just outside her world lead with 53.67 in winning clearly from Shamier Little’s 54.40. Third was Zuzana Hejnova in 54.82 EL.
Milaika Mihambo, photo by PhotoRun.net
Long jump – Malaika Mihambo produced a PB by 8cm and world lead of 7.07m in the fourth round. In second was Caterine Ibarguen, the winner in Doha, with 6.87m, setting a season’s best – as did Brittney
Reese, third on 6.76m.
Angelica Bengsston won in NR/PB! photo by PhotoRun.net
Pole vault – Angelica Bengtsson had a third-time clearance at 4.66m before doing the same at 4.76m to add 3cm to her Swedish record, also a EL. Sandi Morris managed a best of 4.66m for second, the same height achieved by Robeilys Peinado for second and three others.
Lyu HuiHui, photo by PhotoRun.net
Javelin – Lyu Huihui repeated her win from Shanghai, throwing 66.47m in the fifth round. Eda Tugsuz was second with 64.51m and Lina Muze third on 63.72m.
