by Alfonz Juck
Pavel Fajdek throws 80.28m WL in hammer, photo by PhotoRun.net
Mo Farah battled a strong field, running WL of 26:53.71, photo by PhotoRun.net
Farah WL, Kovacs WL
EUGENE (USA, May 27): Great night of athletics at Hayward Field on Friday. Mo Farah fulfilled the expectations and won the 10 000 m in World leading 26:53.71 in his first track race since Beijing World Champs. It was his 11th race at the distance ever, third best, he lost only twice. After nice duel with surprise second Kenyan William Sitonik 26:54.66 (debut at the distance) he said: “ “I got the crowd behind me. I was just going to go win it. I don’t want to lose a track race here.” Three more clocked sub 27, third Tamirat Tola 26:57.33 PB (only his 2nd race at 10k), fourth Stephen Sambu 26:58.25 and fifth 2011 World champ and last man to beat Farah at 10k Ibrahim Jeilan 26:58.75 PB. Half marathon WR holder Zersenay Tadese was 6th 27:00.66. In total 19 athletes went sub 28 (8 of them with PB´s). Second World lead of the night in shot put by World champion Joe Kovacs 22.13 who clearly dominated over the rest of the field with Tom Walsh second 20.84. Another World champ Pawel Fajdek confirmed his clear hammer number one position 80.28 ahead of Dilshod Nazarov 78.12. Also Sandra Perkovic left no doubts in discus with 68.57 win ahead of Nadine Muller 65.31 and Melina Robert-Michon 63.69. Another Beijing winner Tianna Bartoletta did not had her day in long jump as she was the victim of new rules only 7th 648 (+1.0). Winning Brittney Reese leaped to 692 (+1.1), third best of 2016. Shanghai winner Ivana Spanovic was 2nd 688 (+1.1) and Lorraine Ugen third 676 (+1.4). Kenyan Hellen Obiri confirmed she is back in right shape after maternity with 14:32.02 PB in women 5000 m. Viola Kibiwot 14:35.13 second ahead of World champion Vivian Cheruiyot 14:35.69 and Mercy Cherono 14:37.08. Best Ethiopian Ostrava winner Belaynesh Oljira 14:42.57 PB. The USATF High Performance 800 m winner was Alysia Montano 2:00.78.
