In the presence of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, chairman of the Qatar Olympic Committee, the track and field at Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium witnessed yesterday the finest challenge in world athletics between world champions and holders of Olympic medals and records at the Doha Diamond League meeting, with the champions competing across numerous races and events before the eyes of IAAF president Lamine Diack and athletics federation leaders from around the world, alongside numerous presidents of African, Asian and European federations. The meeting saw striking performances amid a crowd so large it packed out Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium at Qatar SC.
Farah surrenders his throne
British Olympic runner Mo Farah lost his crown after being beaten in the 3,000m, finishing runner-up after an exciting battle with young Ethiopian runner Hagos Gebrhiwet, who clocked 7:38.08, the best time of the year, while Farah recorded 7:38.22, and Kenya’s Thomas Bakimi finished third in 7:39.22.
Justin Gatlin puts world champions on notice
Fearsome American sprinter Justin Gatlin took control of the 100m, sending a strong warning to his rivals, and sealed first place with a time of 9.74 seconds, the best mark of the year and of the Diamond League’s entire history. Compatriot Mike Rodgers finished second in 9.96 seconds, Trinidad and Tobago’s Keston Bledman was third in 10.01 seconds, while Qatar’s Femi Ogunode Seun finished fifth in 10.04 seconds, his best mark of the year.
Ayanleh triumphs in the 800m
Arab-Djiboutian runner Ayanleh Souleiman overcame the world’s top runners in the 800m, setting the year’s best mark of 1:43.78, while Kenya’s Ferguson Rotich finished runner-up in 1:44.53, and Kenya’s Alfred Kipketer took third in 1:44.59. Qatar’s Mosaab Abdulrahman Balla finished eighth in 1:46.14, his best mark of the year, while his young teammate Jamal Hairane finished tenth in 1:48.90, and world champion Ethiopian Mohammed Aman finished ninth in 1:47.38.
Germany’s David Storl shot put champion
German giant David Storl claimed first place in the shot put with a mark of 21.51m, with American Reese Hoffa runner-up at 21.30m and American Ryan Whiting third at 21.06m. Storl earned 4 points in the diamond race, while runner-up Hoffa took two points and Whiting one point.
Jackson king of the 400m hurdles
American Bershawn Jackson shone in the 400m hurdles, setting the year’s best time of 48.09 seconds, with Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson second in 48.96 seconds, and Ireland’s Thomas Barr third in 48.99 seconds.
Finnish dominance in the javelin
Finland’s javelin stars dominated the event and topped the podium, with veteran world champion Tero Pitkämäki first with 88.62m, the season’s best mark, compatriot Antti Ruuskanen second with 86.61m, veteran Czech thrower Vitezslav Vesely third with 83.67m, while Egypt’s Ihab Abdelrahman recorded 83.14m, his best personal mark of the year.
Filippidis king of the pole vault
Greece’s Konstantinos Filippidis snatched top spot in the pole vault, setting his best personal mark of the year at 5.75m, while Germany’s Carlo Baich finished second with 5.60m, and Argentina’s Germán Chiaraviglio was third, also with 5.60m.
Cuba’s Pichardo triple jump champion
Cuban jumper Pedro Pablo Pichardo topped the triple jump podium, taking first place with a mark of 18.06m, with American Christian Taylor second at 18.04m, and France’s Teddy Tamgho third at 17.24m.
