Mary Moraa Sets 600m World Record With 1:21.63 in Berlin

In a thrilling display of athletic prowess at the ISTAF event in Berlin's Olympic Stadium, Mary Moraa of Kenya shattered the world record for the 600 meters, clocking in at 1:21.63 minutes. This achievement surpassed the previous record by 14 hundredths of a second, a record set seven years prior by Caster Semenya of South Africa. Amidst a crowd of 40,500, Moraa's remarkable feat was warmly received as she shared her overwhelming joy and satisfaction with her performance.

The event also showcased stellar performances in field events. Javelin thrower Julian Weber, celebrating a belated birthday, marked his presence with a season's best throw of 88.64 meters, ranking this among the top four performances of his career. His enthusiasm was palpable as he enjoyed the support of the home crowd.

The pole vault competition heated up with Sam Kendricks of the USA clearing 6.01 meters on his first attempt, the first six-meter jump at the ISTAF in 25 years. Menno Vloon of the Netherlands, although unable to surpass 6.01 meters, secured second place with a jump of 5.92 meters.

Leo Neugebauer of Germany triumphed in the ISTAF triathlon, a multi-event competition consisting of a 100-meter sprint, discus throw, and a 1,500-meter race. Neugebauer led from the start and maintained his lead, reveling in the festive atmosphere and expressing a desire to return to the venue.

In the 100-meter sprint, local sprinter Gina Lückenkemper delivered a career-best performance, recording a time of 10.93 seconds. Her excitement was evident as she acknowledged the crowd's energy as a significant factor in her success.

The shot put competition also drew significant attention, with Yemisi Ogunleye of Germany and Jessica Schilder of the Netherlands competing closely. Schilder emerged victorious with a throw of 19.70 meters, while Ogunleye, despite not surpassing her opponent, appreciated the support and highlighted the human aspect of athletic competition.

• ISTAF BERLIN RESULTS