Men’s 800:
The fine 2018 campaign for Kenya’s Wycliffe Kinyamal, the winner of the Commonwealth Games and Shanghai DL this year (3rd at Pre), continued as he got a very narrow win tonight in 1:44.65. Throughout the final 200, Kinyamal was trying to run down Jonathan Kitilit, the winner of the Kenyan Commonwealth Games Trials who was the top racer in this race until the final 10 meters, and for the entire last 100 they were extremely close. Kinyamal finally got to the lead just before the finish but the fastest closer of all was the third Kenyan in the field - Ferguson Rotich - who nearly stole the race. Rotich nearly went from 5th to first in the final 50, but he ran out of space and ended second in 1:44.74 to Kitilit’s 1:44.78. 2013 world champ Mo Aman, the 9th fastest 800 man in history, was just 9th in 1:47.04 and 2017 world indoor champ Adam Kszczot wasn't much better (7th in 1:46.23), although that was a seasonal best for both men)
The Race
Rabbit Bran Som was supposed to take this out in 50 flat but he realized early on no one wanted to go with him so he slowed down and hit 400 in 51.24 with Kitilit being the top racer in 51 high. Kitilit led until the final meters passing 600 in 1:18.17.
Women's 100h:
Olympic champ Brianna McNeal hit the second hurdle and ended up dropping out. That meant the race was there for taking for Sharika Nelvis, who was third in Doha, 2nd in Shanghai, and she did not falter winning in a modest 12.76.
Three different Americans have now won the three Diamond League 100 hurdles on the year. Kendra Harrison won in Doha (12.53), McNeal won in Shanghai (12.50), and then Shelvis tonight.