STRONG PERFORMANCE: Tyson Gay (C) of the US en route to victory in the men’s 100m during the Diamond League Athletics meeting “Athletissima” in Lausanne. (AFP)
AFP/Lausanne
Former world champion Tyson Gay cruised to victory in the 100m in 9.79 seconds at Thursday’s Diamond League meet in Lausanne.
The 30-year-old American’s win, with Asafa Powell second in 9.88sec, will keep the pressure on Usain Bolt, who competes in the 200m at the Paris Diamond League meet today.
Gay has long raced in the shadow of Bolt, a two-time Olympic treble gold medal winner, but the American has now set the three fastest times of the season ahead of the August 10-18 World Athletics Championships.
“I wanted to finish strong and stay healthy,” said Gay, who also set a world-leading 19.74sec when winning the 200m at the US national championships.
“I’m feeling good and I think I have a good chance against anybody (in the worlds).”
Ukrainian athletes had a night to remember, Mariya Ryemyen surprising the field in the women’s 200m by winning in 22.61sec ahead of fancied American Carmelita Jeter.
But it was in the field where there were fireworks, Bohdan Bondarenko victorious in 2.41m, the best high jump in the world since 1994.
The 23-year-old Bondarenko even had a shot at a world record height of 2.46m, 1cm higher than Cuban Javier Sotomayor’s best set back in 1993.
“Of course I’m very happy with my jumps tonight,” said Bondarenko.”It’s tough to take in what I’ve done.
“I can’t explain my progression, it’s simply great for me.”
But there was a rare off night for France’s Olympic pole vault champion Renaud Lavillenie, who failed his three attempts at an opening height of 5.62m.
“Wind is not an excuse,” the two-time world bronze medallist said.
“It’s frustrating. What’s annoying is that at no moment did I find my recent rhythm and drive.” Ethiopian tyro Mohammed Aman sent out a warning to Kenyan rival David Rudisha with an impressive victory in the men’s 800m in a season’s best of 1:43.33.
RESULTS
Men 100m (wind: +2,0 m/s)
1. Tyson Gay (USA) 9.79
2. Asafa Powell (JAM) 9.88
3. Michael Rodgers (USA) 9.96
200m (wind: +1,4 m/s)
1. Churandy Martina (NED) 20.01
2. Jason Young (JAM) 20.20
3. Jaysuma Saidy Ndure (NOR) 20.40
800m
1. Mohammed Aman (ETH) 1:43.33
2. Pierre-Ambroise Bosse (FRA) 1:44.11
3. Marcin Lewandowski (POL) 1:44.31
5000m
1. Yenew Alamirew (ETH) 13:06.69
2. Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH) 13:07.11
3. Muktar Edris (ETH) 13:08.23
110m hurdles (wind: +0,9 m/s)
1. David Oliver (USA) 13.03
2. Jason Richardson (USA) 13.20
3. Ryan Wilson (USA) 13.27
400m hurdles
1. Javier Culson (PUR) 48.14
2. Felix Sanchez (DOM) 48.58
3. Mamadou Kasse Hane (SEN) 48.72
High jump
1. Bohdan Bondarenko (UKR) 2.41m
2. Erik Kynard (USA) 2.37
3. Dusty Jonas (USA) 2.30
3. Daniil Tsyplakov (RUS) 2.30
Triple jump
1. Pedro Pichardo (CUB) 17.58m
2. Teddy Tamgho (FRA) 17.40
3. Christian Taylor (USA) 17.13
Pole vault
1. Konstadínos Filippídis (GRE) 5.72 m
2. Raphael Holzdeppe (GER 5.62
2. Augusto de Oliveira (BRA) 5.62
Shot putt
1. Ryan Whiting (USA) 21.88m
2. Reese Hoffa (USA) 21.58
3. Dylan Armstrong (CAN) 20.75
Javelin
1. Kim Amb (SWE) 82.65m
2. Andreas Thorkildsen (NOR) 81.54
3. Stuart Farquhar (NZL) 80.42
Women 200m (wind: +1,4 m/s)
1. Mariya Ryemyen (UKR 22.61
2. Lashauntea Moore (USA) 22.67
3. Kimberlyn Duncan (USA) 22.73
400m
1. Francena McCorory (USA 50.36
2. Amantle Montsho (BOT) 50.37
3. Novlene Williams (JAM) 50.87
800m
1. Nora Farrag (SUI) 2:11.44
2. Florence Perguiron (SUI) 2:11.60
3. Sandra Pool (SUI ) 2:12.63
1500m
1. Abeba Arigawi (SWE) 4:02.11
2. Sifan Hassan (NED) 4:03.73
3. Siham Hilali (MAR) 4:04.58
100m hurdles (wind: +1,2 m/s)
1. Dawn Harper (USA) 12.53
2. Kellie Wells (USA) 12.58
3. Lolo Jones (USA) 12.60