by Alfonz Juck
Sifan Hassan, photo by PhotoRun.net
Noah Lyles, photo by PhotoRun.net
EME News did this preview of the final event of the 2019 Diamond League…
Lyles with Hassan trying for double
BRUSSELS (BEL, Sep 6): Fifteen more Diamond League champions will be crowned in the second of the finals at 43rd AG Memorial Van Damme. Notable are a few big names returning after spells out, such as Michael Norman, and key head to heads like Daniel Roberts v Orlando Ortega. Noah Lyles, who along with Sifan Hassan is looking to complete a DL double, seeks to continue 19.50 form. Great show is expected from triple jumpers. As usual in some events home athletes could shine and one of the highlights for sure Mariya Lasitskene with Nafi Thiam in high jump. In total 22 Belgian athletes will compete. At the end traditionally concert and fire-work.
Short previews
Men
200m: Noah Lyles believes he can run even quicker than his Paris 19.50 as he seeks a DL sprint double. Aaron Brown and Andre de Grasse are also among the seven sub-20 performers.
400m: A big head to head as world leader Michael Norman and US champion Fred Kerley are in action for the first time since the trials. Meet record 44.06 by Michael Johnson looks to be in danger.
400 m (non-DL): Dylan and Kevin Borlee going for fast times with Matthew Hudson-Smith, Isaac Makwala and Machel Cedenio.
1500m: Defending champion Timothy Cheruiyot is back for the first time since Monaco against the athlete who has ruled in his absence, Ronald Musagala. Jakob and Filip Ingebrigtsen, and Samuel Tefera are there too, with Marcin Lewandowski a danger in a slow race.
5000m (non-DL): Ben True, with a season’s best of 13:09, is quickest in the field, with Richard Ringer a possible challenger.
3000m steeplechase: Benjamin Kigen looks to repeat his African Games win over Getnet Wale and world No.1 Soufiane Bakkali, hoping to back on top form after his foot injury. Also hoping to be over fitness issues is Conseslus Kipruto.
110m hurdles: Daniel Roberts and Orlando Ortega have the crucial showdown after tying one-all on head to heads this year.
Triple jump: Pedro Pablo Pichardo will struggle to defend his title against the in-form Will Claye, plus Christian Taylor. Meet record 17.60 should go.
Discus: Daniel Stahl looks to continue his almost faultless season, but Fedrick Dacres has a chance of retaining the title, with Lukas Weisshaidinger the third big contender. First 70 in the meet history?
Women
100m: Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce and Dina Asher-Smith should be vying for the win, but Marie-Jose Ta Lou could challenge if over African Games issue, not missing Dafne Schippers.
400 m (non-DL): US Courtney Okolo and Shakima Wimbley against home Camille Laus.
800m: Ajee Wilson is favourite but Hanna Green and Natoya Goule are key challengers.
5000m: Sifan Hassan chases a double after her Zurich 1500m, with her European record under threat. Hellen Obiri, Agnes Tirop and Konstanze Klosterhalfen are also part of a strong field.
100m hurdles: After winning at the last two Diamond Leagues, can Danielle Williams level it up at two each against Kendra Harrison this year? Tobi Amusan, Christina Clemons and Nia Ali ensure it’s not a two-horse race.
400m hurdles (non-DL): Tia Adana-Belle is fastest in the field, but home hopes for Hanne Claes and European U23 champion Paulien Couckuyt.
High jump: Mariya Lasitskene could gain her fourth trophy and 18th consecutive win. 2.02m heptathlete Nafi Thiam contests just her second high jump of the year. For Doha qualification, last year’s No.2, Elena Vallortigara, could do with more than 1.92m.
Pole vault: Ekaterini Stefanidi looks for her fourth DL trophy win. Only the injured Eliza McCartney is missing out of the world’s top nine.
Long jump: Malaika Mihambo seeks win No.9 of nine this summer as Brittney Reese is the main danger. Heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson competes too.
Discus: Yaime Perez looks to defend her title, but will Sandra Perkovic regain sufficient form in time? Should be a three-way fight with Denia Caballero also there.
