The penultimate Diamond League of the event took place in Zurich, with several events seeing the end of the Diamond Race.

With a strong field in action, the event was highly anticipated, and there were several strong performances. This piece looks at the highlights from tonight.

Rowbury, Merritt, Harrison and Clement the American winners on the track

Shannon Rowbury, who finished agonizingly in fourth place in Rio 2016, was not in contention for the title but completed a strong race. Alongside Jenny Simpson, she sat behind Laura Muir and Faith Kipyegon throughout, and coming down the final 100 meters edged past Muir to take the win, with Simpson in third; Kipyegon’s poor finish meant Muir took the Diamond Race title.

In contrast, LaShawn Merritt was the in control of the Diamond Race and knew a win would comfortably seal the title. The Rio 2016 bronze medalist was pushed to victory, coming round the final bend just in the lead and holding off Bralon Taplin to take the title in style, with a time of 44.67 seconds.

It was not a typically dominant victory for Kendra Harrison, though, having already won the Diamond Race, she didn’t have to exert herself. The American, who failed to qualify for Rio, battled to victory in a time of 12.63 seconds, ahead of Cindy Ofili and Dawn Harper-Nelson.

However, with the Diamond Race still open coming into this meet, it was Kerron Clement who had the toughest victory. The American looked completely out of it, though a strong finish saw him sneak through to take the victory and the title, with Javier Culson finishing second both tonight and in the overall race.

Kendrick and Lavillenie share Pole Vault victory

After Sam Kendrick took the spoils in Lausanne and Renaud Lavillenie took them in Paris, the final Pole Vault competition of the season finished in a tie.

Sam Kendrick and Renaud Lavillenie celebrate after their joint victory (AFP/Fabrice Coffrini)
Sam Kendrick and Renaud Lavillenie celebrate after their joint victory (AFP/Fabrice Coffrini)

With Olympic champion Thiago Braz Da Silva failing to clear 5.90m, Kendricks and Lavillenie moved on to 5.96; when both failed here, identical records meant the victory was shared between the two.

However, the Frenchman safely took the Diamond Race title on 72 points, with the American finishing in second.

Thompson, Powell take sprint victories

Jamaica continued their sprint dominance in Zurich, with Elaine Thompson winning the Women’s 200-meters and Asafa Powell taking the 100-meters Diamond Race.

Dafne Schippers had taken the Diamond Race for the 200-meters, though was once again beaten by Thompson, who came from behind to set a new Diamond League Record in a time of 21:85 seconds; just one one-hundredths ahead of the Dutch. Allyson Felix finished third in 22.02 seconds.

Elaine Thompson edges out Dafne Schippers in the 200-meters (AFP/Fabrice Coffrini)
Elaine Thompson edges out Dafne Schippers in the 200-meters (AFP/Fabrice Coffrini)

Powell had only six points heading into this, but with leader Justin Gatlin not competing, and therefore unable to take the title, the Jamaicans time of 9.94 seconds was enough to take the Race ahead of Ben Youssef Meite.

Jebet, Semenya miss out on world records

There was talk before the meet that Ruth Jebet and Caster Semenya could attempt to break the world records; though both took the victories tonight and in the Diamond Race overall, neither particularly threatened the history books.

Caster Semenya celebrates after winning the Diamond Race (AFP/Fabrice Coffrini)
Caster Semenya celebrates after winning the Diamond Race (AFP/Fabrice Coffrini)

Jebet broke the record just five days ago in Paris, though with the pacemaker falling she didn’t push the pace, but did set a meeting record as she took the win over Hyvin Kiyeng; Emma Coburn finished third.

Earlier on Semenya was in control throughout, though poor pacemaking early on ended any chance of a world record bid. The South African took the victory to secure the Diamond Race, ahead of Francine Niyonsaba in second and Margaret Wambui in third.

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About the author
Oliver Dickson Jefford
20. English Literature student at the University of Southampton. Aspiring sports journalist from Hertfordshire.