At the Silesia Diamond League Meet in Poland, African athletes have been outing up thrilling performances as Nigerian world record holder Tobi Amusan, Kenya’s Mary Moraa, South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk and others emerged victorious in their individual contests.
Amusan outpaced USA’s Kendra Harrison and 2019 world champion Nia Ali of USA to win the 100m Hurdles event in a time of 12.35s. The Nigerian also equalled the meeting record.
Kenya’s Mary Moraa (800m)
Earlier, Kenya’s Mary Moraa showed her tactical and finishing strength again in the 800m, coming clear in the last 50 metres to win in a meeting record of 1:56.85.
Former world champion Halimah Nakaayi was second in a new Ugandan national record of 1:57.78, just ahead of Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin.
South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk (Men’s 400m)
World record holder Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa showed his solid form with a wide-margin win in the 400m event at the Silesia Diamond League.
With Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga, the fastest man in the world this year, pulling up injured just after the start, the South African had hurdles specialist Alison dos Santos of Brazil for company going into the final bend.
But the Brazilian faded and van Niekerk won in a meeting record of 44.08, his best time of 2023, with Botswana’s Bayapo Ndori rattling home to equal his personal best of 44.61 in second.
Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali (3000m steeplechase)
Earlier, Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco ran out a comfortable winner of the 3000m steeplechase event.
The Moroccan cruised clear to win in 8:03.16, another meeting record, with Kenyan’s Abraham Kibiwot and Leonard Bett some five seconds adrift.
Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu ( Women’s 3000m)
Ethiopian athlete Freweyni Hailu came home strongest in the women’s 3000m, winning in a time of 8:26.62 at the Silesia Diamond League Meeting.
Lilian Rengeruk of Kenya was second, while Lemlem Hailu third.
