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Bloomfield dazzles in 200

Last Updated 22 July 2018, 16:15 IST

Akeem Bloomfield announced himself as the latest "next big thing" from Jamaica when he broke 20 seconds for the first time to win the London Diamond League 200 metres on Sunday but immediately played down any comparison with Usain Bolt.

The 20-year-old, who won over 400 metres in Rabat two weeks ago, ran a controlled bend out in lane eight before pouring on the power to come home in 19.81 seconds - smashing his previous best of 20.00.

Panama's Alonso Edward was second in 20.01 with Ecuador's Alex Quinonez (20.13) edging out home favourites Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake and Adam Gemili.

"I'm very happy with the time because that is phenomenal," said Bloomfield," who laughed off the inevitable Bolt comparisons.

"I don't think anyone can ever surpass Usain Bolt and I don't think he should be compared with mere mortals like me," he said. "If I accomplish even half of what he did it would be an amazing achievement."

There was an impressive 1-2 for the United States in the women's event as Jenna Prandini (22.16) just held off fast-finishing Gabrielle Thomas (22.19) -- both lifetime bests.

Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, normally a 5,000m specialist, became the third-fastest woman ever over the now-rarely run mile as she surged clear to win in four minutes, 14.71 seconds.

Kenya's Emmanuel Korir produced a devastating run to win the men's 800 metres in 1:42.05, making him the sixth-fastest man ever over two laps. Clayton Murphy of the United States was second in 1:43.12 while Nijel Amos showed the effects of his 1:42.15 winning run in Monaco on Friday as he faded to fourth.

American Olympic champion Matt Centrowitz took the 1500m in 3:35.22 while Jamaica's Ronald Levy won the 110 hurdles in 13.13 ahead of American Devon Allen in 13.30.

South African Luvo Manyonga, who won the world title in London two years ago, produced another a superb series of leaps, peaking with 8.58 metres, to win the long jump.

Russian neutral athlete Mariya Lasitskene won the women's high jump at 2.04.

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(Published 22 July 2018, 16:10 IST)

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