Kenny Bednarek, Gabby Thomas, Diribe Welteji and Matthew Hudson-Smith in Kingston (© AFP / Getty Images)
Four champions – Matthew Hudson-Smith, Gabby Thomas, Kenny Bednarek and Diribe Welteji – were crowned on Saturday (5), the second evening of the Kingston Grand Slam Track leg in Jamaica.
Kenny Bednarek, having conquered the 100m field the previous evening, was more at ease competing in his specialty, the 200m, in the ‘short sprint’ category. The two-time Olympic silver medallist ran a blinding curve, which gave him a comfortable lead entering the straight. He pulled away even further to burst the tape in 20.07 (+0.2m/s). Britain’s Zharnel Hughes was runner-up in a season’s best of 20.37, which saw him finish second overall in the men’s short sprint category.
Great Britain’s Hudson-Smith ran a storming home straight to overhaul Trinidadian Jereem Richards a few metres from the finish line to take the 200m in the men’s ‘long sprint’ category and US$100,000 prize money in 20.77 (-3.3m/s).
“The 200m is my baby, that’s how I originally came up in the sport,” said Hudson-Smith, who was making his second visit to Jamaica. “This is what I needed. I came here to execute and race against the best in the world. We don’t have many opportunities to race each other because many people duck, but Grand Slam Track forces you to be here, and that’s what will help you later in the season.”
Diribe Weltiji, who finished a close second in the 800m on Friday, made no mistake in the 1500m as she completed an authoritative win in 4:04.51. The victory ensured the Ethiopian supplanted 800m winner Nikki Hiltz in the overall ‘short distance’ standings with 20 points and collected the US$100K top prize. Hiltz, who needed to finish in the top two to earn at least a share of the top prize money, crossed the line third in 4:05.39, amassing 18 points overall.
Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain produced the individual performance of the meet so far when she stunned a quality field to take the women’s 400m in a world-leading 48.67. Naser, who opened her season last week with a 48.94 run in Bayaguane, stepped on the accelerator from the gun and only slowed after crossing the line.
USA’s Gabby Thomas followed in Naser’s wake to run a PB of 49.14 and, more importantly, pocketed the overall US$100K top prize after accumulating 20 points over two events, with Naser finishing second overall with 17 points. “After yesterday’s race, I was so mad with myself because I knew I could do better,” said an awestruck Naser. “Coming out here and running this time, I feel fulfilled for yesterday.”
Elsewhere, Kenyan star Emmanuel Wanyonyi tore up the script to surprise the field in the men’s 1500m. Wanyonyi, the Olympic 800m champion, sprinted down the home straight and no one could live with his pace as he crossed the line in a lifetime best of 3:35.18. Wanyonyi took down some big scalps, including the US duo of Yared Naguse, the Olympic bronze medallist, who clinched second in 3:35.36 and Olympic champion Cole Hocker, who finished third in 3:35.52. World champion Josh Kerr was fifth in 3:35.61.
Noel Francis for World Athletics