SUZHOU – Armand Duplantis missed out on the pole vault world record but made a strong showing ahead of this year’s Olympics by easing to his second diamond league victory of the season on Saturday.
The 24-year-old Olympic champion broke the world record with a powerful effort of 6.24m in the season opener in Xiamen last week and had another win in China with a best of 6.00m for the rest of the pack.
After the line reached 6.25m, Duplantis prepared to break the mark for the ninth time, but failed to clear the height in three attempts, coming agonizingly close in his last chance to please his fans.
“I feel really good today, really good. I had a really good way to jump 6.00 meters today and have a successful trip,” said Duplantis.
“I feel a little flat today, but still pretty good. I feel the conditions have to be perfect to break the world record, and I don’t feel that on the track tonight.
Ben Broeders of Belgium and Sam Kendricks of the United States ruled the roost at 5.82 meters above the champion.
Akani Simbine won the men’s 100 meters in the Shanghai leg of the first track and field series held this year due to the renovation of the stadium in neighboring Suzhou.
The South African started well and crossed the field in 10.01 seconds, ahead of this season’s Diamond League champion Christian Coleman of the United States.
Coleman’s pace slowed towards the end and he took silver with a time of 10.04 seconds ahead of compatriot Fred Kerley, who clocked 10.11 seconds for bronze.
Britain’s Daryl Neita stunned pre-race favorite Shakari Richardson in the 200m in 22.62 seconds.
“I’m impressed. It’s a strong field and it’s amazing to be able to run at this stage of the season,” said Neita.
“My focus for the rest of the season is to stay healthy and in one piece.
World champion Marielady Paulino of the Dominican Republic backed up her gold in China with 50.89 seconds in the women’s 400m.
She moved ahead of Talitha Diggs of the United States and Sada Williams of Barbados to set the record for the Paris Olympics.
Tobi Amusan, the women’s 100m world record holder, was disqualified after a false start when she advanced ahead of Nigeria’s towering Camacho-Kuin in protest.
Olympic champion Camacho-Quinn would hold off a successful challenge from Amusa to claim her second win of the season with a time of 12.63 seconds.
“I was ready to throw it away. It took so long to get going,” said Camacho-Quinn.
“I’ll take the points and relax. I can’t believe the time, but it is what it is. We had three in a row, so I don’t know who won.
“This meet is just preparation for the Olympics and I know what I need to work on.”
Ethiopia’s Olympic 10,000m champion, Selemon Barega, won the men’s 5000m in 12:55.68, while Kenya’s Beatrix Chepkoch won gold in the women’s 3000m.
The Diamond League season continues on May 10 in Doha.
A further 15 meetings are planned this year, with the season finale scheduled for mid-September in Brussels after the Olympics from July 26 to August 11.
