British sprinter easily defeats top-class 200m field as Megan Keith runs UK under-23 5000m record at same meeting
The long trip to China paid off for British duo Daryll Neita and Megan Keith as they posted great early-season results.
Daryll Neita
Competing in Suzhou, just outside Shanghai, on Saturday (April 27) at the second Diamond League of the 2024 season, Neita ran 22.62 (0.2) to beat a field that included world 100m champion Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States and European 200m gold medallist Mujinga Kambundji of Switzerland.
Keith, meanwhile, clocked a 13-second PB of 14:43.24 to finish eighth in a women’s 5000m won by Mekedes Alemeshete in 14:36.70 ahead of fellow Ethiopians Ayal Dagnachew and Letesenbet Gidey. For Keith, who turned 22 a few days ago, it was an Olympic qualifying mark, British under-23 record and places her No.5 on the UK all-time rankings. It comes six weeks after her Olympic qualifier of 30:36.84 for 10,000m at The Ten in California, too.
In her first outdoor race of 2024, Neita won comfortably ahead of Anavia Battle (22.99) and Richardson (23.11). “My coach has been killing me in workouts so I really had no idea how I was going to do today,” said Neita. “I came here praying and hoping for the win and to come out and win it in a decent time in such a strong field, I feel really confident going forward.”
The British sprinter, who is based in Italy under coach Marco Airale, will now run a series of early-season races such as the Diamond League in Doha and the adidas Atlanta City Games. “My plan is just to stay healthy and in one piece and get ready for the summer,” she said. “Individual medals are the goal for this summer. I’m aiming for the top. Why not?”
One week after improving his world record to 6.24m at the Diamond League in Xiamen, Mondo Duplantis won the men’s pole vault again with 6.00m before failing three attempts at 6.25m.
Mondo Duplantis (Diamond League)
“It was very important for me to come and jump well today, make sure I got the win over a tough group of guys,” he said. “I never complain when I jump over six metres and get a Diamond league win.”
South Africa’s Akani Simbine beat American duo Christian Coleman and Fred Kerley in the men’s 100m as he ran 10.01 (-0.1) to Coleman’s 10.04 and Kerley’s 10.11.
Akani Simbini (Diamond League)
“We always know that the last part of my race is pretty strong and it shows,” said Simbine. “I’m happy with coming out here and replicating what I did last week at nationals and having a strong last part.”
Selemon Barega won the men’s 5000m in a meeting record of 12:55.68, with fellow Ethiopian Biniam Mehary runner-up in a PB of 12:56.37 and Kenya’s Benson Kiplangat third in 12:58.78. Only 17, Mehary was ninth in the world indoor 1500m final in Glasgow.
Selemon Barega (Diamond League)
Tobi Amusan was disqualified from the women’s sprint hurdles after a false start but, running under protest, the Nigerian finished first in a close race from Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and Devynne Charlton. Camacho-Quinn was given the win, though, in 12.63 (0.3).
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (Diamond League)
In the men’s 800m, Algeria’s Slimane Moula led into the home straight and held off Kenya’s Wycliffe Kinyamal to win in 1:44.55 to Kinyamal’s 1:44.88, with USA’s Clayton Murphy third in 1:45.18 and Britain’s Ethan Hussey fifth in 1:45.55.
Slimane Moula (Diamond League)
In the throws, Valarie Allman won the women’s discus with 69.86m ahead of China’s Feng Bin who threw 67.11m, while Cuba’s Yaimé Pérez was third with 65.59m. “I feel like things were so close to connecting to that big throw,” said Allman. “But I’m all into trying to make it happen and excited to get back with my coach and put in the work. It’s giving me some good confidence at this point in the year.”
Chase Jackson of the United States won the women’s shot with 20.03m with Canada’s Sarah Mitton second with 19.86m and China’s Song Jiayuan third with 19.83m.
In the women’s javelin, world champion Haruka Kitaguchi of Japan threw 62.97m to win from Australia’s Mackenzie Little (62.12m) Colombia’s Flor Denis Ruiz Hurtado (60.70m).
On a weekend that saw Britain’s Jacob Fincham-Dukes rise to No.6 on the UK all-time rankings with 8.20m (1.2) in Austin, Texas, the long jump at this Diamond League was won by Marquis Dendy of the United States with 8.05m (-0.2) ahead of Chinese athletes Wang Jianan (8.04m) and Shi Yuhao (7.99m).
HOW THEY TRAIN: JACK TURNER
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