2012 Brussels Diamond League Recap

By LetsRun.com
September 7, 2012

The Diamond League season came to an end in Brussels. Each Diamond League title winner got a $40,000 bonus.

The highlight of the meet was Aries Merritt's stunning 12.80 world record, which warrants its own recap here.

Men's 1,500m: Makhloufi Fades, Kiplagat Gets Diamond League Title, Centrowitz Runs Fast Again
This race featured 2012 Olympic champion Taoufik Makhloufi and the top six from the Olympics, plus 2012 world leader and 2008 Olympic champ Asbel Kiprop.

There was talk of a sub-3:30 race, but that went out the window on the third lap. After an opening 55.75 400m, 800m was reached in a respectable 1:52.25, but then the rabbit Benson Seurei slowed to 58.04 the third 400m (2:50.29). The pace slowed so much that Nixon Chepseba passed Seurei on the turn after the bell. All the main contenders were there. Makhloufi, who had been closest to the rabbits throughout, was now right on Chepseba's shoulder as they went down the backstretch. Asbel Kiprop moved into third with 200m to go as American Matt Centrowitz moved up into position in lane three on the backstretch.

As they hit the final straight, Chepseba still led with Makhloufi right there. They both would go backwards the final 100m. Silas Kiplagat was in fifth on the rail coming off the turn, and he swung wide to find some daylight at the start of the stretch. Centrowitz, who was in lane three, was even further outside. Down the stretch it was a mad dash for home. Mekonnen Gebremedhin of Ethiopia took the lead and the Diamond League title was his if he could hold it. Silas Kiplagat, however, was closing fast on the outside and if he could pass Gebremedhin, the title and $50,000 ($40,000 bonus, $10,000 first place) would be his. Kiplagat overtook Gebremedhin with roughly ten meters to go and got the win in 3:31.98 and he thrust his fist into the air after the finish to celebrate. Gebremedhin was second and Bethwell Birgen, who had been battling on the inside, got third and Matt Centrowitz was fourth in 3:32.47. Asbel Kiprop, in his first race since his hamstring troubles at the Olympics, was a respectable fifth as he ran here hoping to stay atop the Diamond League standings.

Makhloufi faded badly the final 100m and finished 8th.

QT: A great final 100m for Kiplagat. Boxed in in lane 1, he went wide and overtook four guys. The Diamond League bonus had to give him a little extra motivation.

QT2: 3:32.47 would have been nearly a two-second personal best for Centrowitz two weeks ago before he ran 3:31.96 in Lausanne. Instead it's his second sub-3:50 mile equivalent in three attempts and second straight run where he mixed it up early and ran up front. A good sign for things to come.

QT3: Leo Manzano was another non-factor after his silver at the Olympics. Could Centro be ranked ahead of Leo at the end of the season by Track and Field News? Leo did beat Matt at the two most important races of the year for US runners, the Olympic Trials and the Olympics, so the answer has to be no. Plus, Leo's got a silver medal.

Rank Athlete Nation Result Diamond Points Diamond Ranking
1
KEN
3:31.98
16
1
img
2
ETH
3:32.10
13
3
 
3
KEN
3:32.24
3
5
 
4
USA
3:32.47
1
7
 
5
KEN
3:32.88
14
2
 
6
KEN
3:32.98
SB
 
 
 
7
KEN
3:33.22
4
4
 
8
ALG
3:33.42
 
 
 
9
KEN
3:34.52
2
6
 
10
KEN
3:34.59
 
 
 
11
USA
3:34.85
 
 
 
12
MAR
3:36.33
 
 
 
13
KEN
3:39.06
1
8
 
14
KEN
3:39.53
 
 
 
15
FIN
3:41.61
 
 
 
16
KEN
3:41.66
 
 
 
 
KEN
DNF
 
 
 
 
KEN
DNF
 
 
 

Intermediate Times:
400m Kombich, Ismail Kipngetich (KEN) 55.75
800m Seurei, Benson (KEN) 1:52.25
1,200m Chepseba, Nixon Kiplimo (KEN) 2:50.29

Race Video (US Visitors Only)
 

Women's 800m: Francine Niyonsaba - Remember The Name; Brenda Martinez Another PR

Francine Niyonsaba is a name you may want to remember.

According to All-Athletics.com, the 19-year-old from Burundi had no results prior to this year. Then right off the bat in 2012, she won the African Championships, then got second in Monaco, and then got seventh at the Olympics. After the Olympics, she was second in Berlin last week.

The one thing she had not done was run really fast. Scratch that from the list. Niyonsaba ran a quick 1:56.59, the second-fastest time in the world this year, to get the win over Pamela Jelimo. The time speaks for itself, but the way Niyonsaba ran was even more impressive.

The rabbit Maryna Arzamasva was ahead of the field in 57.04 at 400m. Niyonsaba was roughly 7 meters behind and a few meters up on the rest of the field led by Pamela Jelimo. Jelimo knew all she had to do was finish second to win the Diamond League title.

Jelimo cut into Niyonsaba's lead on the backstretch and was in striking distance heading into the final turn. Jelimo pulled up on Niyonsaba's shoulder as they entered the homestretch. Niyonsaba looked like a typical teenager with very little running experience, flailing her arms. Just when you assumed Jelimo would go right by Niyonsaba, Niyonsaba found another burst and pulled away from Jelimo comfortably. Niyonsaba's form may not be pretty, but it was effective and the result was a 1:56.59. Jelimo got second and the Diamond League title and Olympic champ Mariya Savinova was a well-beaten third as the top two here dominated.

Brenda Martinez's fine 800m week continued as she ran a 1:59.14 PR here which improved on her 1:59.63 best from three days ago. Prior to this week, her best was a 2:00.85. Anna Pierce, who was undefeated in the world at 800m in 2009, went sub-2:00 for the first time since 2010 with a 1:59.16 - finishing just behind Martinez.

1
BDI
1:56.59
NR
10
2
 
1
BLR
DNF
 
 
 
2
KEN
1:57.24
16
1
img
3
RUS
1:59.05
9
3
 
4
USA
1:59.14
PB
 
 
 
5
USA
1:59.16
SB
 
 
 
6
MAR
2:01.01
 
 
 
7
GBR
2:01.49
 
 
 
8
GBR
2:01.78
 
 
 
9
NED
2:03.91
 
 
 

Intermediate Times:
400m Niyonsaba, Francine (BDI) 57.03
600m Niyonsaba, Francine (BDI) 1:28.34

Women's 5,000m: Vivan Cheruiyot Looks Like Vivan Of 2011

This one came down to the final lap. Six were in contention at the bell, but soon it was four Kenyans - double Olympic medallist Vivian Cheruiyot, who won the DL title last year, upstart Mercy Cherono, who led the DL coming in, Viola Kibiwot, and London 10,000m silver medallist Sally Kipyego. This one was all Vivian Cheruiyot the final 200m as she looked more like the unbeatable Vivian of 2011 than the vulnerable Vivian of 2012. Sally Kipyego had challenged Cheruiyot on the backstretch, but then she limped home the final straight. Not sure what the problem was but she faded to 7th.

American record holder Molly Huddle wasn't a factor once the field spread out the last 800m, but her 15:01.32 here was a season's best.

QT1: Cheruiyot would no doubt trade the $40,000 and both of her two Olympic medals for a single Olympic gold, but this was a good way to end her up-and-down season.

QT2: Looks like no American will break 15:00 for the first time since 2009. Many thought this was going to be the year of the American distance women on the track, but the men stole the show.

1
KEN
14:46.01
18
1
img
2
KEN
14:47.18
SB
16
2
 
3
KEN
14:47.88
3
4
 
4
ETH
14:51.66
1
5
 
5
KEN
14:53.04
5
3
 
6
ETH
14:53.06
PB
1
6
 
7
KEN
14:56.04
1
7
 
8
ETH
14:57.97
PB
 
 
 
9
KEN
15:00.88
1
8
 
10
USA
15:01.32
SB
 
 
 
11
GBR
15:16.63
 
 
 
12
ETH
15:19.07
 
 
 
13
ETH
15:31.63
 
 
 
 
BEL
DNF
 
 
 
 
KEN
DNF
 
 
 
 
UKR
DNF
 
 
 
 
ITA
DNF

Highlights Women's 5,000m

Men's Steeple: Brimin Kipruto Looks Good

Brimin Kipruto, the 2008 Olympic champ, fell in London and could not defend his title, but he got the win and a little redemption here.

No surprise that this one came down to four Kenyans on the final lap: Kipruto, Paul Koech, who already had the Diamond League title wrapped up, Jairus Birech, and Conselus Kipruto.

Brimin Kipruto took the lead with 200m to go and powered away over the final water barrier. Paul Koech was overtaken for second by Conselus down the final stretch.

QT1: Kipruto got unlucky with the fall in London so it was nice to see him win here.

1
KEN
8:03.11
10
2
 
2
KEN
8:03.70
8
3
 
3
KEN
8:04.01
20
1
img
4
KEN
8:05.71
7
4
 
5
KEN
8:12.63
 
 
 
6
KEN
8:13.49
5
5
 
7
ESP
8:13.71
PB
 
 
 
8
KEN
8:16.48
SB
 
 
 
9
FRA
8:21.66
PB
 
 
 
10
RUS
8:22.81
PB
 
 
 
11
KEN
8:25.29
1
6
 
12
ESP
8:26.87
 
 
 
 
KEN
DNF
 
 
 
 
MDA
DNF
 
 
 
 
MAR
DNF
 
 
 

Men's 10,000m: A World Leader Is A Bit Disappointing

This one came down to a three-way battle the final lap. In the end, Emmanuel Bett overtook Vincent Chepkok on the final straight to win in 26:51.16 after a 57.13 final lap. The African champ Kenneth Kipkemoi, who only recently turned 18 and has run 59:11 for the half marathon, was third and is guy a who should be looked for in the years to come. 2012 world junior champ Yigrem Demelash of Ethiopia was fourth in a race where four broke 27:00.

QT #1: Bett was fourth place at the Kenyan Trials, which means he was the best non-Olympian this year, which this race verified.

QT #2: The 10,000m debut of 12:48.64 guy Isiah Koech was a huge disappointment. Coming in, some were saying the fact that Koech didn't double in London devalued Galen Rupp's silver medal. Well, clearly that belief was rebuked here. Now there's still Ethiopia's Dejen Gebremeskel for Rupp haters to put their hat on.

1
KEN
26:51.16
WL
2
KEN
26:51.68
PB
3
KEN
26:52.65
PB
4
ETH
26:57.56
PB
5
KEN
27:01.58
6
KEN
27:03.49
PB
7
ETH
27:14.02
SB
8
KEN
27:17.03
9
KEN
27:19.70
PB
10
KEN
27:21.12
11
KEN
27:35.72
12
KEN
27:45.93
13
KEN
28:02.45
14
ETH
28:04.66
 
TUR
DNF
 
FRA
DNF
 
KEN
DNF
 
KEN
DNF

Intermediate Times:
1,000m Hesschentier, Romain (FRA) 2:43.31
2,000m Rop, Albert (KEN) 5:25.97
3,000m Rop, Albert (KEN) 8:07.85
4,000m Rop, Albert (KEN) 10:49.80
5,000m Rop, Albert (KEN) 13:31.74
6,000m Kipkemoi, Kenneth Kiprop (KEN) 16:12.53
7,000m Cheshari, Jacob (KEN) 18:53.52
8,000m Komon, Leonard Patrick (KEN) 21:35.58
9,000m Bett, Emmanuel Kipkemei (KEN) 24:17.51

Men's 100m: Usain Bolt Gets Horrible Start But It Doesn't Matter

Bolt was in the 100 and Blake in the 200 and the sport suffered as a result.

That meant Bolt could have a horrible start and still get the win.

Wind:+0.3
Rank Athlete Nation Result Reaction time Diamond Points Diamond Ranking
1
JAM
9.86
0.183
16
1
img
2
JAM
9.96
0.158
8
2
 
3
JAM
9.97
PB
0.181
2
4
 
4
SKN
10.03
0.180
 
 
 
5
JAM
10.03
0.145
 
 
 
6
USA
10.04
0.159
6
3
 
7
FRA
10.06
0.155
 
 
 
8
ZAM
10.23
0.156
 
 
 
9
JAM
10.32
0.141
 
 
 

Bolt's Race (US Only)

 

Men's 200m: Blake 19.54

There was talk of Yohan Blake running super-fast. Blake ran 19.54 but from his reaction afterward, you could tell he wanted something faster.

Wind:0.0
Rank Athlete Nation Result Reaction time
1
JAM
19.54
0.165
2
JAM
19.92
0.185
3
FRA
20.17
0.187
4
JAM
20.22
0.184
5
USA
20.32
0.153
6
USA
20.53
0.158
7
GBR
20.85
0.174

Blake's Race (US Only)

Men's 400m: Borlée's Delight

The Belgium fans wanted to see the Borlée brothers and they delivered, going 1-2. Even more surprising was Olympic silver medallist Luguelin Santos ended up fourth, getting no Diamond League points, which gave Borlée the surprising Diamond League title.

1
BEL
44.75
0.166
10
1
img
2
BEL
45.02
0.183
9
3
 
3
TRI
45.13
0.184
2
5
 
4
DOM
45.31
0.209
10
2
 
5
GBR
45.56
0.183
 
 
 
6
USA
45.58
0.240
 
 
 
7
USA
45.80
0.199
6
4
 
8
JAM
45.87
0.219
 
 
 
9
JAM
46.63
0.196
 
 
 

Men's Discus: The Great Career Of Virgilijus Alekna Comes To An End

This was it for Alekna, the two-time Olympic champion, and two-time World Champion.

Rank Athlete Nation Result
Wind
Diamond Points Diamond Ranking   1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
1
EST
66.84
 
19
1
img
 
65.51
64.53
66.84
64.67
62.77
61.89
2
GER
66.05
 
4
3
   
x
65.01
64.80
x
66.05
63.64
3
LTU
65.78
 
7
2
   
65.64
x
x
65.01
64.50
65.78
4
NED
65.48
 
   
63.30
x
65.48
x
64.71
62.00
5
GBR
64.67
 
3
4
   
x
64.67
61.26
x
63.82
x
6
IND
63.67
 
1
6
   
63.67
x
61.69
62.61
x
x
7
ESP
62.79
 
3
5
   
x
57.69
62.79
x
62.41
61.21
8
AUS
62.02
 
   
59.51
x
x
x
62.02
x

Women's 400m Hurdles

1
JAM
53.69
0.160
24
1
img
2
GBR
53.89
0.190
8
2
 
3
CZE
54.09
0.152
7
3
 
4
NGR
55.47
0.206
 
 
 
5
UKR
55.61
0.198
 
 
 
6
BEL
56.44
0.163
 
 
 
7
JAM
56.86
0.250
 
 
 
8
POR
58.41
0.173
 
 
 
 
JAM
DQ
R 163.3a
0.199
7
4
 

Women's High Jump: Chaunte Lowe Wins Diamond League Title

Lowe had a disappointing Olympics, finishing sixth, but all she had to do was show up here to win the DL title.

Rank Athlete Nation Result
Diamond Points Diamond Ranking   1.75
1.98
1.80
2.00
1.85
2.02
1.89
2.03
1.92
 
1.95
 
1
RUS
2.00
12
3
   
-
o
-
o
-
-
o
xxx
o
 
xo
 
2
RUS
1.95
13
2
   
-
-
-
xxx
o
 
o
 
-
 
o
 
3
EST
1.92
PB
2
5
   
o
 
o
 
o
 
o
 
o
 
xxx
 
3
BEL
1.92
7
4
   
-
 
-
 
o
 
o
 
o
 
xxx
 
5
FRA
1.89
 
 
   
o
 
o
 
o
 
o
 
xxx
 
 
 
6
USA
1.89
17
1
img
 
xo
 
o
 
o
 
xxo
 
xxx
 
 
 
7
UKR
1.85
2
6
   
o
 
o
 
o
 
xxx
 
 
 
 
 
8
LCA
1.85
 
 
   
-
 
xo
 
xxo
 
xxx
 
 
 
 
 
9
BEL
1.80
 
 
   
o
 
o
 
xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9
BEL
1.80
 
 
   
o
 
o
 
xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11
BEL
1.80
 
 
   
o
 
xo
 
xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Women's Pole Vault: Silke Spiegelburg Wins Here For DL Title

Rank Athlete Nation Result
Diamond Points Diamond Ranking   4.15
4.65
4.25
4.70
4.35
4.75
4.45
4.83
4.55
 
4.60
 
1
GER
4.75
16
1
img
 
-
xo
-
xx-
-
o
o
xxx
o
 
-
 
2
BRA
4.65
14
2
   
-
xo
-
xxx
-
 
o
 
xo
 
-
 
3
RUS
4.55
6
4
   
-
xx
o
 
-
 
o
 
o
 
x-
 
3
CUB
4.55
12
3
   
-
xx-
-
x
-
 
o
 
o
 
-
 
5
SWE
4.45
 
 
   
-
 
-
 
xo
 
o
 
xxx
 
 
 
6
AUS
4.45
 
 
   
-
 
xo
 
xo
 
xxo
 
xxx
 
 
 
7
CZE
4.35
2
5
   
-
 
-
 
o
 
xxx
 
 
 
 
 
7
GER
4.35
 
 
   
-
 
-
 
o
 
xxx
 
 
 
 
 
9
GBR
4.25
1
6
   
xxo
 
xo
 
xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10
GER
4.25
1
7
   
o
 
xxo
 
xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11
BEL
4.15
 
 
   
xo
 
-
 
xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12
BEL
4.15
 
 
   
xxo
 
xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Men's Long Jump

Menkov was only 11th at the Olympics but took the DL title.

1
RUS
8.29
-0.5
PB
17
1
img
 
x
(+0.9)
x
(-0.4)
x
8.03
(0.0)
8.29
(-0.5)
x
(-0.8)
2
RUS
8.04
-0.2
4
3
   
7.90
(-0.2)
7.94
(-0.2)
x
(-0.1)
-
8.04
(-0.2)
7.96
(+0.7)
3
RSA
8.03
+1.0
7
2
   
7.54
(0.0)
7.72
(-0.6)
7.90
(+0.3)
8.03
(+1.0)
7.98
(-0.3)
7.50
(-0.2)
4
GBR
7.96
+0.2
3
4
   
7.63
(-1.2)
7.86
(-0.2)
7.95
(+0.8)
7.96
(+0.2)
7.93
(+0.3)
7.50
(-0.3)
5
BER
7.82
0.0
   
x
(+0.6)
7.64
(-0.8)
7.65
(-0.5)
7.82
(0.0)
7.81
(0.0)
7.74
(+0.1)
6
GHA
7.81
+0.1
   
x
(+0.1)
7.77
(-0.3)
7.81
(+0.1)
7.76
(+0.8)
7.75
(+0.4)
x
(-0.3)
7
BEL
7.55
-0.5
   
6.37
(-0.1)
7.31
(-0.3)
x
(+0.9)
7.38
(-0.6)
7.55
(-0.5)
7.50
(-0.3)
8
BEL
7.40
0.0
   
7.35
(-0.7)
x
(+0.1)
7.27
(+0.1)
x
(-0.3)
7.40
(0.0)
x
(+1.2)

Women's Javelin:

1
CZE
66.91
 
26
1
img
 
61.56
61.84
62.78
61.68
66.91
65.69
2
RSA
65.33
 
11
2
   
61.82
60.63
61.71
60.89
63.19
65.33
3
UKR
64.52
 
4
4
   
57.31
61.54
59.98
62.94
64.42
64.52
4
RUS
62.27
 
6
3
   
59.85
x
x
x
62.27
x
5
LAT
61.46
 
   
61.33
59.44
x
59.39
61.46
60.97
6
SLO
59.50
 
   
52.00
56.34
x
59.50
x
x
7
GER
59.15
 
   
55.70
55.31
57.81
59.15
57.50
58.83
8
GER
56.77
 
   
52.00
56.77
56.49
x
-
-

Women's Triple Jump:

1
KAZ
14.72
+0.4
24
1
img
 
14.27
(+0.4)
14.62
(+0.2)
14.72
(+0.4)
-
14.62
(+0.5)
14.55
(+0.2)
2
UKR
14.40
+0.1
14
2
   
14.24
(0.0)
14.40
(+0.1)
14.29
(0.0)
x
(+0.6)
x
(+0.2)
x
(+0.1)
3
SLO
14.10
-0.1
2
4
   
13.78
(0.0)
x
(+0.2)
14.10
(-0.1)
13.73
(+0.1)
13.92
(0.0)
x
(+0.3)
4
UKR
13.93
+0.1
   
13.35
(-0.4)
13.93
(+0.1)
13.78
(+0.2)
x
(+0.2)
13.41
(-0.1)
13.90
(+0.1)
5
JAM
13.90
+0.4
6
3
   
13.57
(-0.1)
13.90
(+0.4)
x
(+0.5)
x
(+0.2)
x
(-0.4)
x
(+0.3)
6
SVK
13.88
0.0
   
13.58
(+0.1)
13.54
(+0.3)
13.88
(0.0)
x
(+0.3)
x
(+0.1)
-
7
BEL
13.85
+0.2
   
13.79
(-0.1)
x
(0.0)
13.67
(+0.2)
13.85
(+0.2)
x
(+0.2)
x
(+0.2)
8
RUS
13.80
0.0
   
13.80
(0.0)
12.70
(+0.1)
13.77
(0.0)
x
(0.0)
-
-
9
RUS
13.77
+0.7
1
5
   
13.62
(+0.2)
13.32
(+0.3)
13.77
(+0.7)
 
 
 

More: Full Brussels 2012 Results
*Aries Merritt 12.80 World Record!!!!


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