BERLIN, Germany – Canada’s Andre De Grasse and Jamaica’s Omar McLeod were among the winners at the 2019 ISTAF Berlin IAAF World Challenge meeting on Sunday (1).
Season Best For De Grasse In Doha Prep
http://gty.im/1151050200De Grasse, the Olympic bronze medallist, continued his return from injury with a season’s best 9.97 seconds (+1.4 m/s) clocking to win the men’s 100m.
The Canadian who has been hindered by injuries in the last two season, is now back in good form after posting his third sub-10 seconds clocking of the term.
“This was like a comeback for me, definitely,” De Grasse said. “I am coming back from injury. “I wanted to put on a great time in this great stadium, this Olympic stadium.
“These were my last 100m before the World Championships and this race gives me a good time before I race in Doha.”
Finishing second to De Grasse in Berlin was Akani Simbine of South African who also broke 10-seconds – crossing the finishing line in 9.99. Former Jamaican champion Tyquendo Tracey produced his second-best time of the season of 10.06 for third place.
Canadian champion Aaron Brown was fourth in 10.08, while Japan’s Yoshihide Kiryu ran 10.11 for fifth.
McLeod Drops Season’s Best
In the men’s 110m hurdles, World and Olympic champion McLeod reminded everyone of his quality when he put together an impressive 13.07 secs (+0.8m/s) seasonal best to take his specialty.
http://gty.im/1162864504McLeod, who recently switched training camps and revealed that he’s now happy with his situation, improved his previous year best of 13.12.
“I did it! Like my coach told me, I just got out and took contol,” said the Jamaican who is preparing to defend his world title in Doha, later this month.
“Everything was good – the start, the finish and every hurdle. You could say it was a perfect race. Everything was coming together perfectly. I ran so smooth, tight over the hurdles. This was like a final rehearsal for Doha.”
Pascal Martinot-Lagarde of France, the reigning European champion, took second place in 13.25, while recently crown Pan American Games champion Shane Brathwaite of Barbados finished third in 13.36.
Other 2019 ISTAF Berlin Winners
Meanwhile, European 60m champion Ewa Swoboda of Poland won the women’s 100m with a personal best time of 11.07, beating Great Britain’s Asha Philip, who equaled her personal best of 11.10 for second place.
China’s Liang Xiaojing ran a personal best of 11.13 for third.
Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, the All Africa Games champion, flashed to an impressive 12.51 seconds to secure the women’s 100m hurdles, while Jamaican Shanieka Ricketts, the 2019 Diamond League champion, topped the women’s triple jump with a mark of 14.63m.
