by Alfonz Juck
ROME (ITA, Aug 30): Penultimate Wanda Diamond League meet, the Golden Gala, delivered almost a world record as the Olympic champion Winfred Yavi missed the best 3000m steeplechase mark by just 0.07 sec. Another world lead by Ackera Nugent with 12.24 over 100m hurdles, and another meeting record by Ryan Crouser in the shot put (22.49). The last DL meet, before the finals, is scheduled to Zurich on September 5.
Short reviews
Women
200m: Victory for Brown in 22.00 (0.4) from Battle (22.27).
1500m: Fast pace (by Nanyondo) was not accepted by the leaders, Kipyegon was dominant in still fast 3:52.89 ahead of Hailu (3:54.16 PB) and Haylom (3:54.79).
Steeple: Race of the night, as Chemutai led from first km at very fast pace, but was clearly outperformed by Yavi in a final lap; Yavi missed the world record just by 0.07 and clocked 8:44.39 WL/MR/AR, Chemutai second (8:48.03 NR and third all-time) ahead of Cherotich (8:57.65), Constien (9:04.92) and Bouzayani (9:04.93, NR for Tunisia).
100m hurdles: Excellent race by Nugent, who won in 12.24 (-0.4) WL/MR/NR, tying fourth fastest performance ever, Russell second (12.31).
400m hurdles: Clear victory for Cockrell in 52.59, her second best time ever.
Pole vault: Kennedy won on countback over Morris, both clearing 483, season best for American, both failed at 493, Kennedy at 495 on her third attempt.
Long jump: Davis-Woodhall with 702 (0.1) over Nichols 682 (0.0).
Men
100m: Tebogo confirmed his shape and won in 9.87 (0.3) over Coleman (9.92) and Kerley (9.95).
400m: Samukonga kept the lead in the final stretch and won in 43.99 ahead of James (44.30).
5000m: Not so fast as planned, Ethiopians dominated with Gebrhiwet winning in 12:51.07 over Kejelcha (12:51.25).
110m hurdles (non-DL): Surprise of the meeting, as Zhoya won in 13.18 (0.4) over Martínez (13.27).
High jump: Woo over Bedford on countback, both with 230, PB for Jamaican, Tamberi jointly third with Doroshchuk (both 227).
Triple jump: A.Díaz took an early lead with 17.32 (0.8) and won over Max Hess 17.01 (-0.2).
Shot put: Victory for Crouser with six 22-metres attempts and a meeting record of 22.49, ahead of Fabbri (21.70) and Otterdahl (21.63).
Discus: Čeh outperformed his rivals in the final attempt with a massive throw of 68.61, after earning a top 3 spot only in the fifth series. Stona (67.85), finishing second, was in the lead from the second attempt, Alekna finished third (67.68).
