Rohler Surprises With 93.90m Javelin Throw at Doha Diamond League

Friday, 05 May 2017

Germany's Thomas Rohler produced history's 2nd farthest throw in the men's javelin with 93.90m to win the opening stage of the 2017 Diamond League series in Doha, Qatar on Friday, May 5.

Rohler opened his javelin series with 82.94m throw. The Olympic Champion kept improving his results by throwing 85.52m and 88.12m in round 2 and 3 respectively. Finally, in round four Rohler unleashed a monster throw of 93.90m to write his name in the record books.

"I did not see that coming. To be in close company with someone like Jan Zelezny is really special." Said Rohler.

Despite a strong headwind (-2.3m/s) double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson of Jamaica dominated the women's 200m running 22.19 seconds and beating World champion Dafne Schippers (NED) into second 22.45.

Akani Simbine of South Africa took the men's 100m in an impressive 9.99 seconds (wind -1.2m/s) with Jamaica's Asafa Powell in second in 10.08 and Femi Ogunode of Qatar in third in 10.13. Justin Gatlin was 4th 10.13, while Andre De Grasse 5th 10.21.

In the women's 100m hurdles strong headwinds prevented World record holder Kendra Harrison post fast time as she confidently broke the tape in 12.59 seconds. Her time was 0.03sec outside of her own world leading mark.

Bahama's Steven Gardiner topped the men's 400m in 44.60 over American LaShawn Merritt 44.78.

In a much anticipated women's 800m race Olympic champion Caster Semanya destroyed the field by setting a new meeting record with 1:56.61. Genzebe Diaba finished in a disappointing 5th place in 1:59.37.

In the women's 3000m steeplechase, Kenya's Hyvin Kiyeng clocked a massive world leading mark of 9:00.12 beating Rio Olympic medalists. Beatrice Chepkoech (KEN) came in second in 9:01.57, while world record holder and Olympic champion Ruth Jebet of Bahrein took third in 9:01.99. Celliphine Chepteek Chespol of Kenya broke the World junior U20 record by running 9:05.70 to take 4th place.

In the men's 1500m a very strong start of the 2017 season produced Kenya's Eliaj Manangoi by winning the event in a world leading time of 3:31.90 over compatriot Silas Kiplagat 3:32.23. Kenyans claimed top 6 positions in the men's 1500m. Australia's Ryan Gregson was the first non african runer in 7th in 3:34.56.

Kenyan men continued their dominance in middle distance events as Ronald Kwemoi took the 3000m in a big PB and world leading time of 7:28.73.

Local athlete Abderahaman Samba took a surprise victory in the men's 400m hurdles with a new PB of 48.44.

A local hero Essa Mutaz Barshim cleared a world leading height of 2.36m for the win.

Ekaterinin Stfanidi of Greece went over 4.80m to claim vicotry in the women's pole vault.

Full Results Here