Doha, Qatar – The reigning men’s Olympic javelin throw champion Neeraj Chopra won the competition in the Qatari capital to make his Doha Diamond League debut in style.
India’s Chopra kept a world-driving distance of 88.67 meters in his most memorable toss of the spear last on a windy twilight Friday night at a stuffed Qatar Sports Club Arena.
At the World Athletics track and field competition that marked the start of the season, the 25-year-old wanted to break the elusive 90-meter barrier.
Chopra had stated to reporters prior to Friday, “Doha is famous for 90-meter throws, and, hopefully, tomorrow will be a great result for all.” Notwithstanding, bizarrely solid breezes impeded Chopra and different contenders as they over and again attempted to move beyond the 85-meter mark.
With a personal best of 88.63 meters, Czech Jakub Vadlejch came in second, and Grenadian world champion Anderson Peters came in third with a personal best of 82.62 meters.
Back to winning ways: Olympic and Diamond League champion Neeraj Chopra wins the men’s javelin throw at the @dldoha #DiamondLeague #DohaDL pic.twitter.com/l5DBeEvdZ0 — World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) May 5, 2023 The fierce 10.76-second sprint by Sha’Carri Richardson in the women’s 100-meter race was not hindered by the wind. The American sprinter was clearly overjoyed with the result because she beat Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, who finished second with a time of 10.85 seconds, who held the record for the fastest time in the world. Dina Asher-Smith of the United Kingdom came in third with a time of 10.98 seconds.
The crowd seated near the finish line appreciated Richardson’s extended celebrations, which included shrieks, flicks of her dreadlocks, and hops across the track.
The 23-year-old athlete said after the race, ” I’ve regained my peace and will no longer let anything or anyone interfere with that.
African party in the stands
In order to catch possibly the final outdoor sporting event of the season before the start of the country’s typically hot and humid summer, Qatar’s multinational expatriate community turned out in large numbers.
Ethiopia and Kenya accounted for the majority of the nearly 15,000 spectators from Qatar’s African community.
In anticipation of Soufiane El-Bakkali’s performance, Moroccan fans occupied a block of the stadium and painted it red, recalling their time watching their men’s football team win the FIFA World Cup in December.
Doha Diamond League: Sha’Carri Richardson, Chopra steal the show
The majority of supporters were from Ethiopia, matching the presence of Ethiopians in the competition’s track events. Families turned up in enormous numbers while offspring of any age ran all over the paths as more established individuals from the group had their eyes stuck to the track.
[Ibraheem Al Omari/Reuters] The men’s 3,000-meter race was won by Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma, front, in a race dominated by his fellow Ethiopians. During the men’s 3,000-meter race, Morocco’s El-Bakkali briefly threatened to ruin the East African nation’s celebration. Lamecha Girma (7:26.18) finished ahead of Selemon Barega (7:27.16) and Berihu Aregawi (7:21.61), who finished in third place.
Continuing where she left off: Faith Kipyegon, the current world and Diamond League champion, wins the women’s 1500 meter race in a time of 3:58.57. #DiamondLeague #DohaDL pic.twitter.com/qjVni2gkQZ — World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) May 5, 2023 Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, the current world and Olympic champion, stamped her authority on the race despite Kipyegon got done with a world-driving season of 3:58.57, while Welteji required second with 3:59.34.
Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim was not able to finish on top in the men’s high jump event [Ibraheem Al Omari/Reuters]
Hometown hero’s disappointment
There was no absence of help for the host nation’s star competitor Mutaz Barshim by the same token. The crowd was sufficiently excited by the presence of the Olympic high jump champion and his warm-up routines. Barshim won over the crowd with his signature leisurely stroll around the competition area and his well-known sunglasses, which remained on even during nighttime competitions. However, he finished third despite a few disappointing jumps.
Doha Diamond League: Sha’Carri Richardson, Chopra steal the show
The competition was won by JuVaughn Harrison of the United States, and Sanghyeok Woo of South Korea came in second.
It’s full moon in Doba! Congrats! https://t.co/t0PSKkgujW — Doha Diamond League (@dldoha) on May 5, 2023
Moon overcomes ‘mental challenge’
Katie Moon of the United States won the women’s pole vault with a jump of 4.81 meters, a day after saying that her biggest obstacle as an athlete was her own mind.
During the pre-tournament press conference, Moon stated that the pole vault is “a very mental sport.”
“It’s not difficult to have faith in yourself while it’s working out positively however to [believe] while you’re battling somewhat, that is the greatest battle for me up to this point,” she said.
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