BRUSSELS : Switzerland’s Audrey Werro held off a late challenge from Femke Bol to win the women’s 800 metres at the Diamond League Final on Saturday, setting up an intriguing rematch at next week’s World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest.
Werro clocked one minute 54.75 seconds, with the Netherlands’ Bol finishing just 0.06 seconds behind in 1:54.81.
The 22-year-old Werro has been in remarkable form this season, raising hopes that the women’s 800m world record, which has stood for 43 years, could be within reach.
Werro led from the start and resisted the pressure from Bol, the double world 400m hurdles champion who moved up to the 800m in February.
“I went out to the front and had fun, which was something I explicitly wanted to do during the last Diamond League of the year,” Werro said.
“I felt Femke putting me under pressure during the whole race and that absolutely pushed me to not slow down.”
BEDNAREK SETS WORLD-LEADING TIME
American Kenny Bednarek underlined his credentials ahead of Budapest by winning the men’s 200m in a world-leading 19.62 seconds despite cold conditions.
“I’m definitely happy with this result,” the 27-year-old said. “To get the win under these cold conditions (16 C) and a bit of sickness… I can’t ask for more.”
Bednarek had the race under control coming off the bend and believes he can improve further next week.
“Next week, if I execute well, I can drop a massive PB (personal best),” he said.
American Masai Russell, who broke the women’s 100m hurdles world record in 12.09 seconds nine days ago, won Saturday’s final in 12.20, finishing ahead of Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton, who was second in 12.33.
“Another win!” Russell said. “I feel very blessed and thankful to keep collecting those.”
Brazil’s Alison dos Santos, who had set a world record in the men’s 400m hurdles nine days earlier, won the event in 46.70 seconds in the absence of Norway’s triple world champion and former world record-holder Karsten Warholm.
Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew produced a blistering final 400 metres to win the men’s 5,000m in a world-leading 12:45.70.
Poland’s Klaudia Kazimierska won the women’s 1,500m in a world-leading 3:54.05, improving her personal best by almost two seconds in a race that saw eight athletes break four minutes.
“I was completely focused on competing and ‘being Klaudia’ throughout the race,” Kazimierska said. “I hadn’t won anything this year and I wanted to finally win again.”
Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell won the men’s shot put with a world-leading 23.08 metres, becoming the first athlete to surpass 23 metres this season.
“There have been signs in practice of a throw like this being on the way, but to put it together today feels incredible,” Campbell said.
“The world record (23.56) is definitely an ambition.”
The Diamond League Final featured the leading point-scorers from the circuit’s 14 meetings.
