by Alfonz Juck
Celliphine Chespol, the future is now, photo by PhotoRun.net
Celliphine Chespol is the U20 world record holder in the steeplecahse. In Doha, she chased down Ruth Jebet, to take second. In Eugene, she won the race, Jebet falling back to third once again.
Chespol is now second fastest in the world, behind Ruth Jebet. How fast can she go? We do not know, but 8:50 looks good to us!
Chespol is the sensation
EUGENE (USA, May 26): Joan Benoit Samuelson Night (only women events) as 1st day of Prefontaine Classic had two World leads, World U20 record and also U15 all-time best. Some 7800 spectators in top distance evening weather saw an exciting programme.
Event by event
200 m (HS, non-DL): Tamari Davis clocked U15 World all-time best 23.21 (+0.6).
800 m (national, non-DL): Charlene Lipsey confirmed her indoor shape with first sub 2 outdoors 1:59.87. Third World U20 Champion Sammy Watson (still 17) clocked life-time best 2:01.47.
1500 m (national, non-DL): Canadian Gabriele Stafford won with fast finish 4:07.43, her 2nd fastest ever and London standard.
5000 m: First 3km were on the right pace, but then she remained alone and did not come close to sister´s WR. Still very respectable 14:25.22 for Genzebe. Second best ever at the meet. Lilian Kasait of Kenya made a breakthrough race with superb PB 14:36.80 and Sifan Hassan clocked not only European lead but also improved Dutch record of Lornah Kiplagat from 2003.
SC: The highlight of the evening as WR holder and Rio winner Ruth Jebet was only third 9:03.52. She was beaten by junior Celiphine Chepsol 8:58.78 WJR 2nd fastest ever and NR with MR and stadium record (despite having problems with her shoe one lap to go after water barrier). Second still ahead of Jebet was Beatrice Chepkoech 9:00.70 big PB (5th best performer ever). Fourth Emma Coburn came close to her US record 9:07.96 and fifth Courtney Frerichs improved to 9:19.09.
LJ: 2012 Olympic winner Reese as first of 2017 outdoors went over 7 m with 701 (+1.4). Followed by Olympic winner Bartoletta 683 (+1.4) and Europeans Ugen 678 (+0.3) and Klishina 670 (+0.4).
JT: European champ Khaladovich decided right in first round 66.30 (only 4 cm behind her NR). Asian record holder Liu 65.21 and Olympic winner Kolak 64.64 (her 3rd best ever) were also satisfied.
