Goule sets sights on Zurich after Brussels win

OLYMPIC FINALIST Natoya Goule secured her first Diamond League win at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme in Brussels yesterday. And with next week’s finale in Zurich now in the cross hairs, the pint-sized Jamaican is bracing for a big challenge in her upcoming assignment.

Goule’s success was the only win for a Jamaican in Brussels yesterday, as Tokyo 2020 stars Shericka Jackson and Megan Tapper had to settle for second and third places in their respective events.

In the 800m event, Goule held her pace in the first 400m, taking the bell at a comfortable 57.5 seconds, before powering home in a gritty 1:58.09, outlasting Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson, 1:58.16, and Jemma Reekie, 1:58.77, also from Great Britain.

The Jamaican now has 27 Diamond League points from four events this season, meaning that she will enter the September 8-9 finale in Zurich as the top athlete in the women’s 800m.

The winner of each discipline at the final will receive the Diamond Trophy, US$30,000 ($4.5 million) and a wild card entry for the World Athletics Championships in Eugene in 2022.

However, Goule is well aware of the dangers that await.

“I certainly hope I can win in Zurich as well, but it will be hard,” Goule stated.

“I’m extremely happy with my win today (yesterday)! I’m just so excited and happy to win my first Diamond League race. I have to thank God and my coach for believing in me. To race here, especially against these girls; they are all so strong,” she remarked.

“I have a lot of respect for Keely Hodgkinson. She’s so good and humble, a very good athlete and still so young. So I’m very happy I could still sprint and take the win,” said Goule, the 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medal winner.

Despite missing out on the win in her 200m contest, Jackson, who ran a blistering turn before being outpowered by Namibian Christine MBoma in the final few strides, said she was satisfied with her execution.

“I’m happy with my race, but I really wanted to win today. I had a good start, so I’m happy with that, but there’s still room for improvement. I was able to accelerate towards the end but couldn’t get the win,” Jackson assessed.

Jackson crossed the line in 21.95 seconds, with MBoma, the Olympic silver medal winner, stopping the clock at 21.84 seconds, while Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, 22.04, took third place.

American Sha’Carri Richardson continued her comeback, finishing fourth in 22.45, in what was her first 200m in almost four months.

Olympic bronze medallist, Tapper, continued her good season, taking third place in the 100m hurdles in 12.77 seconds, with Nadine Visser from the Netherlands, 12.69, winning ahead of Nigerian Tobi Amusan, who also clocked 12.69.

Tapper disappointed with result

Tapper, who now turns her attention to an assignment in Poland, before lacing up in the Diamond League finale in Zurich, was left disappointed with the result – a third consecutive third-place finish.

“I´m not happy with my race today. I try to win every time I race but ... I will have to watch the video and figure out what went wrong today, because I felt very strong. But it’s not the end of the season yet, so I’ll stay positive and try to win next time,” said Tapper.

Meanwhile, national record holder, Danielle Williams, walked across the line after running into trouble at the third hurdle.

In the men’s 400m, Olympic finalist Christopher Taylor finished seventh in 45.88.

American Michael Cherry won in a meet record and personal best time of 44.03 seconds. Second place went to Grenadian Kirani James, 44.51, while Botswana’s Isaac Makwala was third in 44.83.

Jaheel Hyde, 48.91, had to settle for fourth in the 400m hurdles, which was won by Tokyo 2020 bronze medal winner, Alison dos Santos, 48.23, ahead of British Virgin Island’s Kyron McMaster, 48.31, and Yasmani Copello (Turkey), 48.45.

Sifan Hassan produced a stand-out performance in the mile event, clocking a world-leading 4:14.74, the fastest time ever at the Brussels Diamond League.

Fred Kerley secured another win in the 100m, clocking 9.94 to get the better of compatriots Trayvon Bromell, 9.97, and Michael Norman, 9.98.

andre.lowe@gleanerjm.com