MONACO — Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo from the Bahamas blasted to a world-leading time of 48.97 seconds to win the 400 meters at the IAAF Herculis Diamond League meeting in Monaco on Friday.
Miller-Uibo, who held the previous fastest time in the world this year at 49.52, set in Eugene in May, also smashed her previous lifetime best of 49.44 set to win the Olympic title at Rio 2016.
Also today, Beatrice Chepkoech of Kenya lowered the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase world record.
The 24-year-old entered the home straight with a slim lead over Bahrain flying talent Salwa Eid Naser and held out against the 20-year-old over the final meters to lower the meet record at Louis II Stadium.
Miller-Uibo, who has been showing her versatility this season by competing in several events outside her 400m specialty, was running only her fourth quarter-mile of the year.
“I got this sub 49 I was waiting for, so I’m very happy,” Miller-Uibo said. “The crowd here is amazing, Naser was doing a great race and that helped too.
“You know it was my only 4th race over the 400 m this season. We are trying with my coach different racing strategies.
“This was faster first 200 m or something like that. Next goal is to remain consistent on this level and long-term another barrier that is 48 seconds.”
Naser, who won the previous four Diamond League meetings in Oslo, Stockholm, Paris, and Lausanne, was also in great form in Monaco, posting a new personal best of 49.08 seconds to finish second.
USA’s Shakima Wimbley was third in 50.85 seconds, with compatriot Phyllis Francis taking fourth in 51.05.
In the men’s 200m American rising star Noah Lyles continued his impressive form this season by powering to a new personal best, meeting record and world-leading time of 19.65 seconds to stay unbeaten in the Diamond League over 200 meters this season.
Ramil Guliyev of Turkey was second in 19.99 with Alex Quinonez (20.03) of Ecuador finishing third.
