XIAMEN, China — American Olympic champion Masai Russell got closer to the women’s 100m hurdles world record when she clocked 12.14 seconds at the Xiamen Diamond League on Saturday, while China’s Yan Ziyi recorded the second longest javelin throw by a woman at 71.74m.
Brazil’s Alison dos Santos prevailed over Karsten Warholm in a duel between Paris Olympics medallists in the men’s 400m hurdles, while Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala pipped Gift Leotlela to win the men’s 100, AFP reported.
Russell, who became the world’s second-fastest woman in 100m hurdles when she clocked 12.17 seconds last year, made good on Friday’s promise to consistently build towards the world record this season, retaining a steady lead throughout the race.
Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, who clocked 12.12 seconds to set the world record in 2022, finished second, 0.14 seconds behind Russell.
“I don’t know when (the world record) is going to come but I keep getting closer and closer. I’m blessed, I’m ecstatic and all the hard work is truly showing,” said Russell.
Earlier in the day, 18-year-old Yan drew a wild cheer from the home crowd when she set the under-20 world record in her very first throw, falling just short of the 72.28m thrown by Czech Barbora Spotakova for the current world record in 2008.
Yan did not throw again, and easily won the competition, as Norway’s Sigrid Borge finished second with a 65.00-metre throw.
“I came to this race with the goal for 65m, so it really blew my mind to see that result coming,” said Yan.
“A flash in the pan is not what I want, I don’t want this 71.74 to be just a one-time thing… I think I can push harder. I’ll see how it will go for the next couple of years and prepare for breaking the world record.”
In the men’s 100m, Omanyala picked up the pace halfway through. Last week’s winner Gift Leotlela got closer in the final moments but the South African had to settle for second place as the Kenyan pushed to victory with high knees in 9.94 seconds.
Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson cruised to victory in the women’s 200m for the second week straight, as did American Jamal Britt in the men’s 110m hurdles, while his compatriot and world champion Cordell Tinch lost steam over the final metres to finish fifth.
