Armand Duplantis dominates pole vault at Diamond League in China
Armand Duplantis showcased his pole vaulting prowess at the Shanghai-Keqiao Diamond League event, securing a comfortable victory with a jump of 6.11 meters. Despite his impressive performance, the Olympic and world champion was unable to surpass his own world record of 6.18 meters set earlier this year. Duplantis made an attempt at 6.28 meters but fell short, citing that both the jump and his run did not feel ideal on the day.
On the other hand, American Cordell Tinch stole the show in the high hurdles event, clocking a blazing time of 12.87 seconds. This performance not only secured him a victory but also placed him as the fourth fastest high hurdler of all time, behind notable names like Aries Merritt, Grant Holloway, and Devon Allen.
Canadian shot put star Sarah Mitton put up a solid effort, finishing fourth with a best throw of 19.59 meters. This marked a slight improvement from her previous performance at the Diamond League opener in Xiamen. Mitton, who recently clinched her second consecutive world indoor title, continues to showcase her talent on the international stage.
South African sprinter Akani Simbine continued his winning streak by triumphing in the 100m event with a time of 9.98 seconds. He edged out Olympic silver medallist Kishane Thompson in a thrilling finish. Similarly, Karsten Warholm dominated the 400m race despite facing hurdles during the competition. The Norwegian world record holder expressed his desire to clean up his races for better performances in the future.
In the women’s events, American Anavia Battle secured her second consecutive Diamond League win in the 200m race, while Grace Stark claimed victory in the 100m hurdles. Ethiopian athletes displayed their prowess in the distance events, with Berihu Aregawi winning the men’s 5,000m and Tsige Duguma setting the fastest time of the season in the women’s 800m.
Overall, the Shanghai-Keqiao Diamond League event witnessed exceptional performances from top athletes across various disciplines. From pole vaulting to sprinting, the competition showcased the incredible talent and dedication of these athletes as they continue to push the boundaries of their sport.
