OSLO, Norway – A personal best from Anthonique Strachan of the Bahamas highlighted the strong performances from the handful of English-speaking Caribbean athletes at the Bislett Games, a World Athletics Diamond League meet, on Thursday in Norway.
Strachan, 29, eyeing a maiden global medal at the World Championships from August 19 to 27 in Hungarian capital of Budapest, lowered her personal best time in the women’s 100 meters to 10.92 seconds, but it was only good enough for second behind Marie-Josée Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast.
Ta Lou turned in a fine performance to win in a world leading time and meet record of 10.75 secs, with reigning women’s world 200 meters champion Shericka Jackson of Jamaica finishing third in 10.98.
Rushell Clayton of Jamaica also grabbed second with a time of 53.84 in the women’s 400 hurdles, but Femke Bol continued her dominance on the circuit with an easy win, her 16th consecutive in the event.
The Dutchwoman showed her trademark strength over the last two barriers to leave her rivals trailing, hitting the line in a world leading and meet record time of 52.30, close to her personal best of 52.03, with Gianna Woodruff of Panama running 54.46 to take third, a little ahead of Janieve Russell of Jamaica with her season’s best of 54.91.
Danniel Thomas-Dodd had a best measurement of 19.44 meters on her second attempt, and she finished third in the women’s shot putt.
Chase Ealey of the United States, and Auriol Dongmo of Portugal also threw 19.44 and were edged out of the top three on countback.
Sarah Mitton of Canada started with 19.54m in the first round, and it was enough to hand her victory ahead of American Maggie Ewen with 19.52.
Tajay Gayle leapt only 7.87 meters and finished sixth in the men’s long jump, with Simon Ehammer of Switzerland showing again that he was far from a jack of all trades, mastering the field to win with his season’s best of 8.32m.
Marquis Dendy of the United States was second with 8.26, while Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece was third with 8.21.
The next Diamond League meet takes place on June 30 in the Swiss city of Lausanne.
