SUZHOU – Briton Daryll Neita stunned pre-race favourite Sha’Carri Richardson in the women’s 200m with a time of 22.62 seconds at the second Diamond League event of the season on April 27.
“I feel amazing. It was such a strong field and to run that time at this stage of the season is amazing,” said Neita, 27. “My main focus for the rest of the season is to stay healthy and in one piece. I hope to win a medal at the Olympics.”
Richardson, the winner of the 200m bronze at the 2023 world championships, was third with 23.11sec, behind fellow American Anavia Battle (22.99sec).
In the men’s 100m, Akani Simbine powered to victory in the Shanghai leg of the premier track and field series, which is being held in the neighbouring city of Suzhou in 2024 due to stadium renovation.
The South African crossed the line in 10.01sec, with Americans Christian Coleman (10.04sec) and Fred Kerley (10.11sec) second and third respectively.
Simbine said: “With Coleman, you just need to know that he’s going to come out, (you have to) just stick to the arranged plan, focus on your own race.”
Coleman won the blue riband event at the Xiamen season opener a week ago.
The newly crowned world indoor 60m champion said: “I expected a better performance but I am fine with today’s result which I achieved my SB (season best).”
Meanwhile, Swede Armand Duplantis missed out on another pole vault world record but made a strong statement ahead of the Paris Olympics.
The 24-year-old Olympic champion had broken his own world record with a stellar effort of 6.24m in Xiamen and wrapped up another victory in China with his best of 6m too good for the rest of the pack.
Ben Broeders of Belgium and Sam Kendricks of the United States managed vaults of 5.82m behind the winner.
World champion Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic backed up her gold from Xiamen by cruising to the women's 400m gold in 50.89sec.
She was comfortably ahead of American Talitha Diggs (51.77sec) and Barbadian Sada Williams (52.00sec) to put down a marker for Paris.
In the dramatic women's 100m hurdles, world record holder Tobi Amusan was disqualified following a false start before the Nigerian ran under protest and finished first ahead of Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn.
Amusan, however, was not successful in her appeal and Camacho-Quinn earned a second victory of the season with her effort of 12.63sec.
“I can’t believe the time, but it is what it is,” said Puerto Rico’s Camacho-Quinn.
“These meets are just preparation (for the Olympics) and I know what I need to work on.”
The Diamond League season continues in Doha on May 10. REUTERS, AFP
