BRUSSELS (Belgium) — In-form Swiss Audrey Werro was forced into a dip for victory in the 800m, while newly-minted world record holders Masai Russell and Alison dos Santos also raced to meet records on the second and final day of the Diamond League finals in Brussels.
Werro was pushed all the way by Femke Broeders-Bol, the Dutch athlete steadily improving as she transitions from the 400m hurdles, an event in which she was twice a world champion.
Werro, 22, dipped for the line after a tight final 200 metres for victory in 1min 54.75sec, one of eight meet records set during a high-octane night of track and field in the Belgian capital.
“I felt Femke putting me under pressure during the whole race and that absolutely pushed me to not slow down,” Werro said according to AFP.
“Her presence is a big source of motivation for me to stay sharp going into next year.”
Just a week out from the inaugural season-ending World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Russell and Dos Santos did not disappoint.
Russell was not the fastest out of the blocks, but delivered in the final 50 metres to win the 100m hurdles in 12.20sec.
Just a week on from setting a world record of 12.09sec in Zurich, Russell made it 12 wins from 12 outings this season.
Remarkably, Russell has broken a meeting record in every one of the seven Diamond League races she has competed in this year.
“Another win! I feel very blessed and thankful to keep collecting those, especially on my first time coming here in Brussels,” said Russell.
“Winning a Diamond League final is just as important as taking those big championship wins,” Russell added according to AFP.
In the absence of Norway’s Karsten Warholm, Dos Santos led from gun-to-tape in the men’s 400m hurdles.
The Brazilian timed 46.70sec to obliterate the meet’s previous best of 47.51 set by American Andre Phillips back in 1986.
Two-time Olympic silver medallist Kenny Bednarek equalled his own world lead of 19.62sec when winning the 200m — the American dominating a sprint in which reigning Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana came fourth in 20.01.
And Jamaica’s Tina Clayton wrapped up the 100m in 10.92sec, with European champion Amy Hunt of Britain taking second ahead of American Sha’Carri Richardson.
