Rai Benjamin, Marileidy Paulino and Faith Cherotich were among the notables who put on electric performances on Friday at Diamond League’s Paris stop at the Meeting de Paris at Stade Charlety — the eighth event of the season.
Benjamin surges in the men’s 400m hurdles
Rai Benjamin set the meet record in the men’s 400m hurdles with a 46.93 as he edged past Abderrahman Samba (46.98), who took second as Trevor Bassitt was third in 48.14. Benjamin said he would end his European tour after the Paris meet just a week after his win in Stockholm. Samba pressed Benjamin headed toward the final two barriers but was outpaced as they approached the line.
Cherotich takes world lead in the women’s 3000m steeplechase
With a dramatic kick on the final lap, Faith Cherotich pulled off a stunner in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase as she grabbed the world lead in 8:53.37. Cherotich’s decisive move in the closing lap gave her just enough space to put enough distance from the pursuing Peruth Chemutai, who was second in 8:54.41, while Sembo Almayew took third in 9:01.22.
Paulino sets meet record in the women’s 400m
Marileidy Paulino shifted seamlessly from a solid campaign at Grand Slam Track and kicked off her Diamond League season with a 48.81 meet record in the women’s 400m. Paulino needed all of the track to keep Salwa Eid Naser behind in a close second at 48.85 as Martina Weil took third in 49.83.
Chopra’s first throw seals the men’s javelin
Neeraj Chopra wasted no time asserting himself in the men’s javelin as his opening throw of 88.26m would prove to be the decider at the start of the event. Julian Weber would also launch his best throw on the first attempt at 87.88 and finishing second while Luiz Mauricio da Silva was third with a 86.62m distance.
Allman takes the win on the final throw
Valarie Allman add a dose of drama to the women’s discus as her 67.56m throw on her last attempt pushed her from third (64.88m) to first place — and the win. Jorinde van Klinken took second with a 66.42m throw and Yaimé Pérez finished third (65.03m).
Attaoui’s wins the men’s 800m with an inside tactic
Mohamed Attaoui found his way to the top of the podium in the men’s 800m after staying inside on the second lap and finding his way to the line first in 1:42.73 — just past Josh Hoey, who was second in 1:43.00 as Bryce Hoppel took third in 1:43.11.
Cunningham takes the men’s 100m hurdles as Holloway fades
Trey Cunningham leaned ahead for the win in the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.00 and barely slipping past Dylan Beard’s second place 13.02 as Jason Joseph was third in 13.07. Meanwhile, Grant Holloway finished in fifth in 13.11.
In other action, Grace Stark won the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.21 over Tobi Amusan (12.24) and Ackera Nugent (12.30) as Anavia Battle powered her way to a 22.27 win in the women’s 200m with Amy Hunt finishing second in 22.45 as Mckenzie Long took third in 22.49.
Nelly Chepchirchir pushed he pace as she won the women’s 1,500m in 3:57.02, just past Sarah Healy (3:57.15) and Birke Haylom (3:57.50).
The men’s 5,000m almost slipped away from Yomif Kejelcha but he held steady on the final lap and took the win in 12:47.84 ahead of Birhanu Balew who was second in 12:48.67 and Graham Blanks (12:49.51).
Azeddine Habz grabbed the world lead and meet record in the men’s 1,500 with a commanding 3:27.49 win over Phanuel Koech who was a close second in 3:27.72 as George Mills was third in 3:28.36.
Diamond League shifts across the Atlantic for its next event with the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon on July 5.
