SHANGHAI, China (Sporting Alert) — Kirani James smashed a world-class field to win the men’s 400m at the IAAF Shanghai Diamond League meeting on Sunday.
James Dominated The Final Dash
The Olympic champion, who leads the world with a dazzling 44.22 seconds, crossed the finishing line in Shanghai in 44.66secs — miles ahead of the rest of the field after separating himself at the top of the straightaway.
“It was very tough, but I am very happy with the win,” James said after his win.
American Tony McQuay was second in 45.54 with countryman and world champion LaShawn Merritt trailing in third in 45.58.
“I am glad to take second place. I am a little tired after a long trip to be here so I am quite satisfied,” McQuay said.
He added: “It’s still too early to talk about the World Championships in Beijing. I will prepare more and train harder for that.”
Easy Win For Spencer Over The Hurdles
Kaliese Spencer continued her good form in Diamond League action with another victory in the women’s 400m hurdles on Sunday.
The Jamaican Commonwealth Games champion produced a world-leading time of 54.71 for victory on her way to beating Americans Tiffany Williams, 55.27 and Cassandra Tate, 55.68.
Spencer says her main focus is to get her preparation right for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, later this summer.
“I am very happy with my first place. I am happy with the world lead,” the Jamaican said. “I really believe that I can win in Bijing.
“Now I have to try harder, stay focus and injury free.”
Blessing’s Day In Shanghai
Commonwealth Games champion Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor raced away from a very strong field to win the women’s 100m.
The Nigerian clocked 10.98 seconds to take the event in a seasonal best and finished ahead of the fast travelling Tori Bowie of the United States, 11.07 and Trinidad and Tobago’s Michelle-Lee Ahye, 11.13.
Okagbare-Ighoteguonor credit her rare good start for the win.
“The first part of the race was the best part,” she revealed. “Normally I don’t have the best start, so it was good to be leading at the beginning.
“The race was prety good. It is not easy to compete with the best of the world but I won.”
Olympic champion Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica was only fifth in 11.25, just behind her compatriot Veronica Campbell-Brown, who was fourth in 11.22, but she seems “OK” with the performance.
“It was a good start. I didn’t have have anytime in my hand and no expectations,” the World Championships sprint double champion said. “The feeling is OK. I am looking forward to the next 100m. What comes, comes.”
Elsewhere at the Shanghai Diamond League meeting, Jairus Birech won the men’s 3,000, steeplechase, in a world-leading 8:05.37 and led a Kenyan 1-2-3 finish in the event.
The men’s high jump competition also produced a world-best for 2015, as Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar cleared a meeting record of 2.38m on his first try before ending the competition on the chilly night.
“I stopped (jumping) in the competition because it is too early in the season to jump higher,” Barshim, who will next compete in Eugene revealed.
