27th July, 2013
Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare upset the odds to win the 100m in the women’s sprints,in a new African record of 10.79sec, coming through late to grab the verdict ahead of American Barbara Pierre.
Okagbare recorded the feat today at the London Olympic Stadium during the Diamond League meeting.
Allyson Felix, a triple gold medallist in London last year, also showed impressive form as she raced away with the 200m in a time of 22.41 sec.
It set the 30-year-old, who also holds the world and European titles at 5,000m, up nicely for next month’s world championships in Moscow.
Farah hardly broke sweat as he thrilled the 60,000 crowd by bursting away from his rivals with over a lap to go and winning in a personal best time of seven minutes 36.85 seconds.
“I am in great shape and ready for the worlds,” Farah said.
“I can’t wait for them now after running here in front of this fantastic crowd.
“The noise was just as good as a year ago with everyone shouting and it brought back all those memories. My twins were here so I had extra motivation to win,” explained Farah, whose wife was pregnant when he won his two Olympic gold medals.
American David Oliver won an eventful men’s 110m hurdles, taking advantage of compatriot Aries Merritt, the world record holder and Olympic champion, clipping a hurdle and pulling up early.
Michael Tinsley, also of the United States, just missed out on breaking his own world leading time when he won the men’s 400m hurdles in 47.98 secs.
Tinsley, who ran 49.96 sec in Des Moines last month, said: “It was a really tough race but the crowd pulled me through. I just want to stay fit and stay focused for the Worlds.”
Kenya’s Brimin Kipruto pipped compatriot Gilbert Kirui in the 3000m steeplechase, running 8:06.86secs while aother Kenyan, Augustine Choge, ran a personal best in the Emsley Carr Mile of 3:50.01.
Six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt, fresh from his win in the 100m on Friday, anchored the Jamaica 4x100m relay team to victory in a meeting record of 37.75sec.
France’s Renaud Lavillenie set a new stadium record with 6.02 metres to win the men’s pole vault but failed in a world record bid, with Russia’s Aleksandr Menkov capturing the men’s long jump with 8.31m.
Britain’s Jessica Ennis-Hill continued her return from an ankle injury with a fourth place in the women’s 100m hurdles clocking 13.08 sec with Australia’s Olympic and world champion Sally Pearson winning in a season’s best 12.65 sec.
Pearson said: “Everyone told me to be patient and believe in myself. I have not shied away and I’ve come here and worked hard.
“I’m Olympic and world champion and I’m still showing up and doing my best.”
Ennis-Hill, returning to the scene of her heptathlon heroics at London 2012, then jumped 6.16m to finish eighth in the long jump, with compatriot Katarina Johnson-Thompson winning with her final leap of 6.46m.
“I’m still finding my form again but I still hope to get to the worlds,” said Ennis-Hill.
Britain’s Christine Ohuruogu delighted the home crowd with a season’s best of 50.00 sec to win the 400m.
New Zealand’s Olympic and world champion Valerie Adams took the shot put honours with a world leading throw of 20.90m while Germany’s Christina Obergfoll’s distance of 65.61m saw her win the javelin.