Thompson outclasses 100M field

Neeraj Chopra finishes respectable fifth in javelin on his big-stage debut

Jamaica's Elaine Thompson, the reigning double Olympic sprint champion, put on the afterburners in the final 20 metres to rack up a convincing victory at Saturday's Diamond League meet in Paris.

Thompson clocked 10.91 seconds to finish ahead of Ivorian Marie-Josee Ta Lou (10.96sec), with Nigerian Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor claiming third (11.09).

The Jamaican's time was well short of the world's leading best of 10.71sec she set at last month's national championships in Kingston, but she looks in good, understated form going into the August 4-13 world championships in London, where she will focus on the blue riband event.

"The result is not bad, especially after two false starts," said Thompson.

"This was great preparation for the world championships.

American Sam Kendricks, bronze medallist at the Rio Games, scored a psychological blow over French rival Renaud Lavillenie with victory in the men's pole vault. Hendricks won the US championships with his first vault over 6M and racked up a best of 5.82M in the French capital, Lavillenie having failed three times at 5.77M and ending the night with just one successful vault, at 5.62.

Qatar's Mutaz Barshim underlined his credentials as current undisputed world number one by winning the men's high jump with a best of 2.35M, the Olympic silver medallist beating off competition from Ukraine's Bohdan Bondarenko (2.32M).

Decent show by Neeraj 

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra finished a respectable in a 10-man elite field after producing a best effort of 84.67M on his big-stage debut.

The 19-year-old Neeraj, who has a personal best of 86.48M, came up with a throw of 84.67M in his third attempt after starting with 79.54M in his first attempt.

He threw 81.32M in the second attempt.

The world junior champion, then had 78.69M and 79.52M in the next two attemps before fouling his final round throw.

Germany’s Johannes Vetter threw 88.74M to clinch the gold medal, Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch bagged the silver with a personal best of 88.02M, while Olympic champion Thomas Rohler of Germany finished third with a best effort of 87.23M.

Results: Men: 100M: Ben Youssef Meité (CIV) 9.99, 1; Yunier Pérez (Cub) 10.05, 2; Churandy Martina (Ned) 10.23, 3.

200M: Ramil Quliyev (Tur) 20.15, 1; Churandy Martina (Ned) 20.27, 2; Rasheed Dwyer (Jam) 20.45, 3.

800M: Nijel Amos (Bot) 1:44.24, 1; Kipyegon Bett (Ken) 1:44.36, 2; Ferguson Rotich Cheruiyot (Ken) 1:44.37, 3.

3000M: Muktar Edris (Eth) 7:32.31, 1; Ronald Kwemoi (Ken) 7:32.88, 2; Yomif Kejelcha (Eth) 7:33.37, 3.

110M hurdles: Ronald Levy (Jam) 13.05, 1; Andrew Pozzi (Gbr) 13.14, 2; Garfield Darien (Fra) 13.15. 3.

High jump: Mutaz Essa Barshim (Qat) 2.35M, 1; Bohdan Bondarenko (Ukr) 2.32, 2; Majd Eddin Ghazal (Syr) 2.32, 3.

Triple jump: Christian Taylor (US) 17.29M, 1; Will Claye (US) 17.18, 2; Max Hess (Ger) 17.07, 3.

Pole vault: Sam Kendricks (US) 5.82M, 1; Renaud Lavillenie (Fra) 5.62, 2; Shawn Barber (Can) 5.62, 3.

Javelin throw: Johannes Vetter (Ger) 88.74M, 1; Jakub Vadlejch (Cze) 88.02, 2; Thomas Röhler (Ger) 87.23, 3

Women: 100M: Elaine Thompson (Jam) 10.91, 1; Marie-Josee Ta Lou (CIV) 10.96, 2; Blessing Okagbare (Ngr) 11.09, 3.

400M: Novlene Williams-Mills (Jam) 51.03, 1; Courtney Okolo (US) 51.19, 2; Shericka Jackson (Jam) 51.91, 3.

1500M: Sifan Hassan (Ned) 3:57.10, 1; Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon (Ken) 3:57.51, 2; Gudaf Tsegay (Eth) 3:59.55, 3.

3000M steeplechase: Beatrice Chepkoech Sitonik (Ken) 9:01.69, 1; Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi (Ken) 9:06.00, 2; Celliphine Chepteek Chespol (Ken) 9:07.54, 3.

Shot putt: Gong Lijiao (Chn) 19.14M, 1; Anita Márton (Hun) 18.48, 2; Yuliya Leantsiuk (Blr) 18.28, 3.