Surprise winners, hurdles drama, and Sha'Carri Richardson's loss highlight an underwhelming second Diamond League in Suzhou

Surprise winners, hurdles drama, and Sha'Carri Richardson's loss highlight an underwhelming second Diamond League in Suzhou

Funmilayo Fameso 10:26 - 28.04.2024

A review of the Suzhou Diamond League, where world's fastest woman Sha'Carri Richardson failed to deliver again.

With so many expectations heading to the second Diamond League of the season in Suzhou, the meet was highlighted by unexpected winners, hurdles drama, and a few underwhelming star performers such as Sha'Carri Richardson.

Surprise winners and underwhelming performers

Top on the list of surprise winners was legendary South African sprinter Akani Simbine, storming back into the international frame as he downed two former world champions to claim his eighth Diamond League 100m victory in a Season's Best (SB) of 10.01s.

Akani Simbine won the men's 100m event in Suzhou

After an easy win in Xiamen, Christian Coleman failed to extend his streak as he settled for second place in an SB of 10.04s, while his stack rival and fellow American Fred Kerley was third in 10.11s.

In the women's 200m event, world's fastest woman Sha'Carri Richardson succumbed to her second consecutive defeat of the season as Daryll Neita conveniently wrote her name on the winners' list.

Daryll Neita after winning the women's 200m event in Suzhou

The British speedster clocked an impressive SB of 22.62s, Annavia Battle was second in 22.99s, and Richardson third in an underwhelming time of 23.11s - stirring the conversation if she's ready for the Olympic year. 

Back-to-back Winners

Meanwhile, the women's 100mH event produced an unexpected drama as Nigeria's World Record holder Tobi Amusan, ran under protest after being disqualified for a false start. She will then prove her superiority as she chased down the field for brilliant success in 12.62s. 

However, Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, despite finishing behind Amusan was granted the win in 12.63s. World 60m record holder Devynne Charlton came second in 12.64s, while world champion Danielle Williams was third in 12.74s.  

The men's 110mH saw Daniel Roberts extend his winning streak with an impressive 13.12s, ahead of Japanese star Shunsuke Izumiya in 13.23s, and Olympic champion Hansle Parchment made up for his poor performance a week ago with an SB of 13.26s for third.

Mondo Duplantis attempted another world record in the pole vault by adding a centimetre to his world record in Xiamen by clearing 6.24m, he got close to doing the same in Suzhou.

Mondo Duplantis

The Swedish Olympic and world champion already won the competition when he cleared 5.92m on his first attempt after also managing 5.62m and 5.82m the first time.

 He had the bar raised to 6m and again soared clear to break the meeting record before it was moved higher to another 25cm. While he failed his three tries at that height, his last attempt didn’t look far off.

World 400m champion Marileidy Paulino followed her victory in Xiamen with success in Suzhou in 50.89s. USA’s Talitha Diggs was second in 51.77s and Sada Williams third in 52.00s.

USA’s Olympic champion Allman followed her victory in Xiamen with another win, topping the non-Diamond League women’s discus with a 69.86m throw. 

Feng Bin was second with 67.11m, and recent North American record-breaker Yaime Perez was third with 65.59m from her only valid throw of the competition.

Tags: