Rome Men’s Recap: Gatlin 9.75, Aman Over Amos Again, Kejelcha Is The Real Deal
by: LetsRun.com
June 4, 2015
The Diamond League went back to Europe with Thursday’s Rome Diamond League meet. Mo Aman, Justin Gatlin, and Yomif Kejelcha kept up their impressive winning ways from Pre. We break down all the men’s action below. Our women’s recap with Jenny Simpson’s fourth straight 1500 win at a DL meet is here.
Men’s 800: Aman Beats Amos Again in World-Leading 1:43.56
For the second time in six days, Mo Aman took down Nijel Amos in the 800, this time using a strong last 100 meters to win in a world-leading 1:43.56.
The field hit 200 in around 24.2 seconds, with Frenchman Pierre-Ambroise Bosse, Aman and Amos (in that order) all following rabbit Bram Som. Som hit 400 in 50.42 with the pack strung out single-file behind him and the same three men up front.
On the back stretch, 2012 Olympic silver medalist Timothy Kitum passed several people on the outside but couldn’t get close enough to the front by the final turn. With 200 to go (1:17.01), Som had dropped off and it was Bosse still leading, looking to go wire-to-wire. He held the lead well for the next 100, even though Aman and Amos both swung to the outside in an attempt to pass him.
As they hit the homestretch, it became apparent that Bosse had spent his energy holding off those two on the final turn and he had nothing left for a final sprint, fading to seventh place. The rest of the field began to gain on Amos and Aman, but none could get quite close enough. One of those two men was going to be your winner. In the end, it was Aman who once again came through for the win, crossing the line in 1:43.56, a new world leader. Amos managed to hold on for second while Job Kinyor won a big sprint for third in 1:43.92. Kenyan Ferguson Rotich Cheruiyot was moving faster than anyone in the final 50 meters, but he left himself too far back with 100 to go and could only manage fifth.
Quick Take #1: Mo Aman is once again the man to beat at 800 meters (for now)
With David Rudisha’s injury status uncertain (he pulled up lame in Ostrava last week and scratched from Sunday’s DL race in Birmingham) and Ayanleh Souleiman possibly running only the 1500 at Worlds (he said at Pre the 1500 was his favorite event and that it may have been a mistake to run both the 800 and 1500 at Worlds in 2013), Aman is the favorite right now for Worlds. It’s only June 4, so a lot can change — his combined margin of victory over Amos these last two weeks is .38 of a second — but given his consistency on the DL circuit and big-race credentials (world champ outdoors in ’13 and indoors in ’14), he will be tough to beat in Beijing.
Really, it should be a great 800 at Worlds. Aman and Amos always deliver good races and though Rudisha may never recapture his 2012 form, he’s still a big threat when healthy.
Amand told meet organizers after his win, “It is my third victory in Rome and that is a good sign for me. I am on the right way to defend my title in Beijing. I must say I feel less pressure than before the last championships. But I have to confess it is my big dream to defend the gold because it is very important for my country as well. It was a good time here in Rome and I will try to even improve it in the following race.”
Quick Take #2: Amos may have cost himself a shot at the win by running in lane 2 on the final turn
One of our favorite sayings in the 800 is that “you only get one move.” Amos launched into his move with 150 to go, swinging out to lane 2 to try and pass Aman and Bosse. He pulled something similar at Pre last weekend. It didn’t work then, and it didn’t work today as Amos couldn’t quite catch Aman in the home stretch. Perhaps Aman still would have held him off, but Amos would likely have had a better shot to win had he waited until the homestretch to make his move since he wouldn’t have had to run any extra distance.
Amos will race again on Sunday in Birmingham (Aman isn’t in the field), so it will be interesting to see if he’s more patient in that race.
1. Mohammed AMAN ETH 1:43.56 WL
2. Nijel AMOS BOT 1:43.80 SB
3. Job KINYOR KEN 1:43.92 SB
4. Adam KSZCZOT POL 1:43.94 SB
5. Ferguson Rotich CHERUIYOT KEN 1:44.00 SB
6. Marcin LEWANDOWSKI POL 1:44.25 SB
7. Pierre-Ambroise BOSSE FRA 1:44.42 SB
8. Giordano BENEDETTI ITA 1:45.07 SB
9. Artur KUCIAPSKI POL 1:45.21 SB
10. Timothy KITUM KEN 1:45.41 SB
11. Kevin LÓPEZ ESP 1:45.59 SB
Kejelcha Wins Again
Men’s 5000m: Kejelcha Takes Down World’s Best Field
Yomif Kejelcha is the real deal.
Less than a week after his victory in the 5000m at the Pre Classic, the 17-year-old flew half-way around the world and took on a field that included the last two silver medallists at global championships (Hagos Gebrhiwet and Dejen Gebremeskel) neither of whom had to travel from Eugene, the 2014 World leader (Edris) and defeated them all in a world leading 12:58.39.
This one started fast with the rabbits going through 1600 in 4:08 (12:55 pace) and only eventual second-placer Paul Tanui and Kejelcha were with them. The pace then began to slow and at 3k they were on 12:58 pace (7:46; 8:19 for 3200). Tanui was now in front and there was a 65-second lap run letting the field get back together as now 10 guys were in contention.
The field was willing to let this one come down to the final lap. Tanui, coming off his runner-up finish to Mo Farah at the 10,000m at Pre last Friday, led the penultimate lap in a modest 62.97. The real racing began at the bell. Gebrhiwet, who won the 3000m in Doha over Farah, took the lead around the first turn but was stalked by the lanky Kejelcha.
Once Kejelcha struck this one was over. He took the lead just before the final turn and then lengthened it the final 100m to get the win by .30 over Tanui, who had come back to edge Gebrhiwet for second. The final lap leader-to-leader was 54.55.
Tanui Tried to Stay Close
Quick Take #1: Kejelcha is For Real
A 12:58 world-leading win win with a 54.55 last lap is impressive, especially for a reported 17-year-old. But this win by Kejelcha is not making Mo Farah nervous. The guy in second place, Paul Tanui, was second to Farah six days ago in a 10,000m, so even as loaded as this field was on paper, Farah no doubt is thinking “I would have taken them.”
Kejelcha is running great now, the question is can he keep it up 2.5 months from now at Worlds? There is such a fine line to being on top of the world. This one was not in doubt the final 100m and yet Kejelcha only won by .30 of a second.
QT #2: Paul Tanui Impresses
The most impressive performance may have been that of Pau Tanui. Six days after running a 10,000m in Eugene he set a 5,000m pr and broke 13:00 for the first time. To beat Farah at Worlds at 10,000m he needs to keep working on his speed.
5000 Metres - Men
Pts
1 Kejelcha , Yomif ETH 12:58.39 4
2 Tanui , Paul Kipngetich KEN 12:58.69 2
3 Gebrhiwet , Hagos ETH 12:58.69 1
4 Merga , Imane ETH 12:59.04
5 Longosiwa , Thomas Pkemei KEN 12:59.78
6 Edris , Muktar ETH 13:00.30
7 Kaya , Ali TUR 13:00.31
8 Gebremeskel , Dejen ETH 13:00.49
9 Fifa , Illias MAR 13:05.61
10 Koech , Isiah Kiplangat KEN 13:07.33
11 Ayalew , Aweke BRN 13:19.80
12 Alamirew , Yenew ETH 13:22.45
13 España , Jesús ESP 13:22.92
14 Abadía , Antonio ESP 13:28.35
15 Ringer , Richard GER 13:48.15
16 Buraas , Sindre NOR 13:55.49
Haji , Yasin ETH DNF
Lalang , Lawi KEN DNF
Kombich , Ismael Kipngetich KEN DNF
Barusei , Geoffrey Kibet KEN DNF
Gatlin Celebrates in Rome
Men’s 100m: The Justin Gatlin Train Keeps Rolling with 9.75
Forget about Usain Bolt. Justin Gatlin is currently the best sprinter in the world.
Gatlin got out in the lead and this one was never in doubt. The only question was how fast would it be. Initially the clock showed 9.74, which would have equalled Gatlin’s world-leading PB from Doha. The time was eventually rounded up to 9.75, which still eclipsed Usain Bolt’s meet record.
Jimmy Vicaut was a distant second in 9.98.
Quick Take: Usain Bolt where are you?
Gatlin is so good right now, don’t take him for granted or assume Bolt would beat him. Bolt has run faster than 9.75 only four times in his life. Bolt has run 9.76 or better seven times in his life. Tyson Gay has also done it twice and Asafa Powell once.
For Gatlin, it is now back to the States to train as he told the meet organizers, “We have a very good race plan this year with my agent and coach. I have had a couple of very good races, couple of 100s and 200s and I feel confident running times around 9.70s. This meeting is like the end of the first part of the season and now I am heading home and after the trials I will have a month to train and to spend with my son and my family. That will help me to keep the shape to Beijing. I want to stay injury-free and in the best shape for 2016 and the year after. The key thing to keep winning is to not to think about it. I do not think of beating Usain Bolt now because the championships is not tomorrow, we still have some time to come. Rome is a tradition, I am glad I had a good start and managed to execute the first 60 meters to be confident with the victory. 9.60 should be possible in summer.”
100 Metres - Men Race 2 Wind: +0.9 m/s
Pts
1 Gatlin , Justin USA 9.75 4
2 Vicaut , Jimmy FRA 9.98 2
3 Rodgers , Mike USA 9.98 1
4 Carter , Nesta JAM 10.06
5 Collins , Kim SKN 10.07
6 Simbine , Akani RSA 10.08
6 Batson , Deondre USA 10.08
8 Fisher , Andrew JAM 10.14
9 Adams , Harry USA 10.24
Men’s Triple: Pichardo Keeps Cruising
Pedro Pablo Pichardo of Cuba kept his fabulous 2015 going as he nearly went 18 meters for the third time this year. Pichardo has jumped 17.94 or better each time out this year.
Triple Jump - Men
Pts Wind
1 Pichardo , Pedro Pablo CUB 17.96 4 -0.4
2 Copello , Alexis CUB 17.15 2 -0.4
3 Revé , Ernesto CUB 16.89 1 -0.4
4 Compaoré , Benjamin FRA 16.81 -0.2
5 Évora , Nelson POR 16.76 -0.4
6 Adams , Lyukman RUS 16.58 -0.3
7 Fedorov , Aleksey RUS 16.30 -0.1
8 Cavazzani , Daniele ITA 16.22 -0.1
9 Torrijos , Pablo ESP 15.88 -0.5
Sorokin , Dmitriy RUS NM
Men’s Vault: Lavillenie Wins Again
France’s Renaud Lavillenie got his second win in a row, vaulting 5.91 meters to overcome a South American record by runner-up Thiago Braz of Brazil. Lavillenie took three attempts at 6.01, and though he came close on a couple of occasions, couldn’t quite figure it out.
Pts
1 Lavillenie , Renaud FRA 5.91 4
2 da Silva , Thiago Braz BRA 5.86 2
3 Gripich , Aleksandr RUS 5.71 1
4 Filippídis , Konstadínos GRE 5.71
5 Wojciechowski , Pawel POL 5.56
6 Scherbarth , Tobias GER 5.56
6 Holzdeppe , Raphael Marcel GER 5.56
8 Ménaldo , Kévin FRA 5.56
9 Kudlicka , Jan CZE 5.56
10 Lavillenie , Valentin FRA 5.56
Stecchi , Claudio ITA NM
Sobera , Robert POL NM
400m Hurdles: Two in a Row for Johnny Dutch
American Johnny Dutch, who was the winner at Pre, had a big lead coming into the homestretch and held on for a win over Michael Tinsley. Dutch won in a seasonal best of 48.13 (#2 in the world) as Tinsley was second in 48.34 (#3 in the world this year).
Weird fact: Everyone in the race either ran a seasonal best or lifetime best. Finishing fourth in a new Irish national record of 48.65 was Thomas Barr. He broke his own record of 48.90.
Pts
1 Dutch , Johnny USA 48.13 4
2 Tinsley , Michael USA 48.34 2
3 Culson , Javier PUR 48.65 1
4 Barr , Thomas IRL 48.65
5 Hussein , Kariem SUI 48.76
6 Mägi , Rasmus EST 49.14
7 Gordon , Jehue TTO 49.22
8 Chalyy , Timofey RUS 49.94
9 Capotosti , Leonardo ITA 50.01
Men’s 110 Hurdles
2013 Worlds bronze medallist Sergey Shubenkov of Russia got the win in a seasonal best of 13.23 this non-DL event.
Wind: +0.7 m/s
1 Shubenkov , Sergey RUS 13.23
2 Darien , Garfield FRA 13.23
3 Porter , Jeff USA 13.32
4 O’Farrill , Yordan L. CUB 13.42
5 Bascou , Dimitri FRA 13.45
6 Baji , Balázs HUN 13.54
7 Riley , Andrew JAM 13.58
8 Fofana , Hassane ITA 13.80
9 Davis , Wayne USA 13.84
Men’s 200m: Unknown Greek Wins It
Lykourgos-Stefanos Tsakonas, a relatively unknown Greek who was the under-23 European champ in 2011, whose previous best was 20.31 ran a huge pb of 20.09 to defeat Christophe Lemaitre easily in 20.28.
200 Metres - Men Wind: +0.8 m/s
1 Tsákonas , Likoúrgos-Stéfanos GRE 20.09
2 Lemaitre , Christophe FRA 20.28
3 Adams , Harry USA 20.32
4 Ujah , Chijindu GBR 20.47
5 Brown , Aaron CAN 20.62
6 Nkanata , Carvin KEN 20.78
7 Hardy , Prezel USA 21.23
8 Desalu , Eseosa ITA 21.42
9 Marani , Diego ITA 21.44
Men’s Shot: David Storl Wins
Storl didn’t throw as far as he did at Pre where he was second but he got the win here as American Jordan Clark had his second-best throw ever in 2nd.
Shot Put - Men
Pts
1 Storl , David GER 21.46 4
2 Clarke , Jordan USA 21.28 2
3 Stanek , Tomáš CZE 20.64 1
4 Whiting , Ryan USA 20.60
5 Szyszkowski , Jakub POL 20.55
6 Nedow , Tim CAN 20.15
7 Richards , O'Dayne JAM 20.13
8 Kolašinac , Asmir SRB 19.98
9 Vivas , Borja ESP 19.72
10 Sidorov , Maksim RUS 19.50
Secci , Daniele ITA NM
Men’s Javelin:
Vitezslav Vesely got the win but the big news was national records by Julius Yego of Kenya in 2nd and the Olympic champ Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago in 3rd.
Javelin Throw - Men
Pts
1 Veselý , Vítezslav CZE 88.14 4
2 Yego , Julius KEN 87.71 2
3 Walcott , Keshorn TTO 86.20 1
4 Pitkämäki , Tero FIN 82.72
5 Röhler , Thomas GER 81.61
6 El Sayed , Ihab Abdelrahman EGY 81.09
7 van Rooyen , Rocco RSA 80.33
8 Bonvecchio , Norbert ITA 79.45
9 Sirmais , Zigismunds LAT 77.64
10 Štrobinders , Rolands LAT 77.00
11 Frydrych , Petr CZE 73.79
Discuss this meet on the messageboard: Official 2015 Rome Golden Gala Diamond League Discussion Thread