No Diamond League titles for Jamaicans on day two

JAMAICAN ATHLETES failed to replicate the performances of Friday’s opening day of the Allanz Memorial Van Damme Wanda Diamond League final when Tajay Gayle and Ackeem Blake had wins.

Ackera Nugent, Shiann Salmon, and Rajindra Campbell came closest for the Jamaicans, finishing third in their respective events yesterday.

Campbell was the first Jamaican in action, competing in the men’s shot put final.

Fresh off setting a national record of 22.31 metres, done earlier in the week at the World Continental Tour meet in Zagreb, Croatia, Campbell threw 21.95 to again finish third.

Olympic Games fifth-place finisher, Leanardo Fabbri of Italy, surprised Olympic champion Ryan Crouser of the United States to win with a meet and national record of 22.98. Crouser was second with 22.79.

Campbell, the Olympic Games bronze medallist in the event, was happy with his performance despite the cold weather.

“It was a good competition. I am happy with the performance. The atmosphere was beautiful; it was nice. I was not expecting this kind of weather. It was colder than I expected. I was in Belgium last year and the temperature was good, so I was surprised. It has been a long season and I am ready to go back home to spend some time to celebrate,” said Campbell.

World leader and national record holder, Nugent, who was coming off three victories in the 100-metre hurdles after the Olympic Games, had to settle for third in the event, clocking 12.55 seconds.

Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, the Olympic Games bronze medallist, led from start to finish to win the event in 12.38, ahead of Nadine Visser of the Netherlands, second in 12.54. World champion, Danielle Williams, ended fifth in 12.62.

400-METRE HURDLES FINAL

Salmon, competing in the final event of the meet, the women’s 400-metre hurdles, ended third in 53.99 seconds. Femke Bol of the Netherlands, the bronze medallist at the Olympic Games, turned the table on silver medallist, Anna Cockrell of the United States, to win in 52.45.

Cockrell clocked 53.71 seconds while Janieve Russell was seventh in 55.94, and Andrennete Knight, eighth in 56.70.

According to Salmon, she achieved her main goal of the season in Zurich.

“My goal was to run 52 seconds and I did that in my previous race, so mission accomplished. Tonight was just about competing and finishing the season. It has been a very long season, but we will just have to get used to that,” said Salmon.

An unlucky Roshawn Clarke had to settle for fifth in the men’s 400-metre hurdles in 49.08 seconds. Clarke was neck and neck in the lead with Alison dos Santos of Brazil up to the eighth barrier before hitting it and losing momentum. Santos went on to win easily in 47.93, ahead of Abderrahman Samba of Qatar, 48.20, and Rasmus Magi of Estonia, 48.28.

Jamaica’s other competitor in the event, Malik James-King ended sixth in 49.37.

High jumper Romaine Beckford ended fourth in the men’s high jump, clearing 2.22 metres as Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy won with 2.34.