Goule-Toppin the top Jamaican finisher at Athlos meet

PARIS OLYMPIC 800 metres semifinalist Natoya Goule-Toppin was the best finisher of the two Jamaicans who competed at Thursday night’s lucrative Athlos New York meet.

Competing at the inaugural meet for female athletes, Goule-Toppin held off a strong challenge from American Addison Wiley to take third in the two-lap event in 1:58.63 and pocket US$10,000. Tsige Duguma of Ethiopia won the event in 1:57.43 and collected US$60,000 with second going to Mary Moraa of Kenya who got US$25,000,

Jamaica’s other competitor at the meet, world 100m hurdles champion Danielle Williams, was fifth in the event. In a thrilling race, Olympic Games bronze medallist and Diamond League champion, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico, led from start to finish to clock 12.36 seconds for the win. Olympic finalist Alaysha Johnson of the United States was second in 12.43 as her countrywoman, Masai Russell, the Olympic champion, ended third in 12.44. Williams, who clocked 12.58 for fifth, walked away with US$5,000.

American Brittany Brown was the biggest winner on the night. She walked away with US$85,000 after her second-place finish in the 100m and upset win in the 200m.

Brown, the Diamond League 200m champion, produced a season’s best 11.05 seconds for the runner-up spot in the 100m. Cote d’Ivoire’s Marie Josee Ta Lou-Smith won the event in 10.98 with Candace Hill of the United States third in 11.14.

Brown was at her best in the half-lap event to create the only upset of the night. Olympic champion Gabby Thomas was off to a surprisingly fast start with Brown just behind. Brown joined her American teammate 30 metres out before pulling away for win in 22.18 with Thomas second in 22.21 and third going to Anavia Battle in 22.34.

Olympic and Diamond League 400m champion, Marileidy Paulino of Dominica Republic ended her season in fine style to capture the one-lap event. Paulino stopped the clock at an impressive 49. 58, getting the better of American Alexis Holmes (49.99) and Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain, 50.40.

Another big winner on the night was Olympic champion and world record holder Faith Kipyegon of Kenya who won the 1500m in 4:04.79.

RG