Julian Weber Returns with 87.04m European Lead as Jamaican Sprinters Shine at Spitzen Leichtathletik
Julian Weber marked an emotional return from injury with a European-leading 87.04m in the men's javelin throw as the German star headlined an outstanding edition of the Spitzen Leichtathletik meeting in Lucerne. In front of a packed crowd of 6,000 spectators at the Allmend Stadium, Weber celebrated a long-awaited comeback, while Jamaica dominated the sprint events through victories from Demisha Roswell in the women's 100m hurdles (12.55) and world silver medallist Tina Clayton in the women's 100m (11.02). The meeting also featured strong performances from South Africa's Bayanda Walaza and Lythe Pillay, Switzerland's Angelica Moser and Leonie Hügli, and Botswana's Prince Phaezel Selepe in a high-quality evening of international athletics.
Men’s javelin throw:
Julian Weber from Germany, last year’s Diamond League champion in Zurich, made a successful come-back from injury by winning the men’s javelin throw with a European seasonal lead of 87.04m in the third round. Cameron McEntyre from Australia improved his PB to 85.73m. Edis Matusevecius from Latvia took third place with 83.34m.
Julian Weber: “It was an emotional win for me as I came back from injury. I had problems in my preparation. The past months have been incredibly difficult. I could not throw or lift heavy weights. I want to thank viewers for their support. Now I am finally finding my way back, step by step, to what I love. It’s not all perfect yet, but it just feels great to finally be able to throw again”
Men’s 100 metres B race:
Abdul Rasheed Samini from Ghana won the men’s B race in 10.02 setting the fastest overall time of the two heats holding off Benjamin Richardson, who set the national record with 10.06.
Men’s 100 metres A race:
Bayanda Walaza from South Africa won the men’s A race in 10.05 into a headwind of -0.6 m/s ahead of his compatriot Bradley Nkoana (10.18) and 2023 Jamaican champion Rohan Watson (10.19).
Bayanda Walaza: “It was a great race. I really enjoyed it, but I am not very happy with the time, I am planning another race next week”.
Women’s 100 metres A race:
World silver medallist Tina Clayton from Jamaica stormed to a win in the women’s 100 metres in 11.02 into a headwind of -0.1 m/s ahead of her compatriot Lavanya Williams (11.12). Geraldine Frey Di Tizio from Switzerland placed third in 11.20 a few days after breaking the 11 seconds barrier for the first time In her career with 10.98 at the Gruyere meeting in Bulle.
Women’s 100 metres B ace:
Jodean Williams from Jamaica secured the win in the women’s B 100 race in 11.09 ahead of Swiss rising star Xenia Buri (11.38) and 2021 European indoor champion Ajla Del Ponte (11.41). Two-time world indoor champion Mujinga Kambundji clocked 11.58 in her second race since giving birth to her son Leon eight months ago.
Women’s 100 metres hurdles A race:
Jamaica’s Demisha Roswell won a very close women’s 100 metres hurdles in 12.55 edging USA’s Rayniah Jones (12.56) and two-time world under 20 champion Kerrica Hill (12.69) in a very competitive race. Roswell continued her good season after winning the Jamaican title in 12.40. Brittay Anderson from Jamaica, world silver medallist in Eugene 2022, placed fourth in 12.73 ahead of Pia Skryszowska (12.75).
Demisha Roswell: “I am happy with the time considering the weather conditions, as the race was held after rain. I am very consistent this year”.
Women’s 100 metres hurdles B race:
Marlene Meier from Germany won the women’s 100 metres hurdles B race in 13.01 edging her compatriot Rosina Schneider (13.03).
Men’s 110 metres hurdles:
Mondray Barnard took a surprising win in the men’s 110 metres hurdles in 13.36 edging Swiss record holder Jason Joseph (13.38) and Rasheed Broadbell from Jamaica (13.39).
Women’s pole vault:
European champion Angelica Moser from Switzerland cleared 4.61m on her second attempt to win the women’s pole vault after first time clearances at 4.36m and 4.51m. Wilma Murto Heltela from Finland needed three attempts to clear 4.51m before failing three times at 4.61m. Heltela set a seasonal best of 4.81m at the Fly Athens event in Athens a few weeks ago.
Angelica Moser: “Building confidence is the most important thing right now after the fall in Paris. If you experience a setback in training, the thing that helps the most is to immediately do it better. When you sustain an injury instead, this tactic becomes significantly harder to apply”
Women’s long jump:
Sophia Beckmon from the USA leapt to 6.85m in the fifth round to claim the win in the women’s long jump. Annik Kaelin, winner in two heptathlon competitions this year in Goetzis and Ratingen, took second place with 6.51, Kaelin will compete in the heptathlon at next August’s European Championships in Birmingham. Mikaelle Assani from Germany placed third with 6.48m ahead of Ackelia Smith from Jamaica (6.38m).
Annik Kaelin: “It was tough to jump on a slippery runway. I slid during my running my third attempt.
Men’s 400 metres:
Lythe Pillay from South Africa, world under 20 champion in Cali 2022, won the men’s 400 metres in 44.88 ahead of national record holder Thandazani Ndhlovu from Zimbabwe (45.05) and Daniel Segers from Belgium (45.09).
Men’s 200 metres:
Prince Phaezel Selepe from Botswana won the men’s 200 metres in 20.25 holding off European champion Timothé Mumenthaler from Switzerland (20.31) and Bradley Nkoana from South Africa (20.45) into a headwind of -0.2 m/s.
Men’s 200 metres B race:
Benjamin Richardson from Ireland won the 200m B race in 20.65 (+0.5 m(s).
Women’s 200 metres:
Fabienne Hoenke from Switzerland claimed a narrow win in the women’s 200 metres in 22.78 edging Jamaica’s Lavanya Williams (22.79) and two-time world 400m bronze medallist Sada Williams from Barbados (22.91). Hoenke continued her good season one week after setting the Swiss under 23 record with 22.50 in Monaco on her Diamond League debut.
Women’s javelin throw:
Leonie Hugli won the women’s javelin throw improving her Swiss record to 62.18m in the sixth round.
Women’s 800 metres:
Kelly Ann Beckford won the women’s 800 metres in 2:00.53 beating Veronica Vancardo from Switzerland (2:00.91) and Renelle Lamote from France (2:01.14). Amanda Froynes from Norway won the B race in 2:00.91.
Men’s 3000 metres:
Dennis Kemboi from Kenya won the men’s 3000 metres in 7:44.33 ahead of Jack Anstey from Australia (7:47.18).
Men’s 4x100 relay:
Germany won the 4x100 relay with 38.39. Slovenia set the national record with 38.91.
Women’s 4x100 relay:
The Swiss team formed by Chloe Rabac, Soraya Becerra, Ajla Del Ponte and Natacha Kouni won the women’s 4x100 relay in 43.64 ahead of Austria (43.77).
