DOHA, Qatar (AP) - Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won the women’s 100 meters Friday in the season-opening Diamond League meet in Doha, while Ivan Ukhov of Russia cleared a world-leading 7 feet, 10¾ inches in the men’s high jump.
Fraser-Pryce held off a late charge by Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria as the Olympic champion won in 11.13 seconds.
Ukhov set a Diamond League record by clearing 7-10¾ in his first attempt and then made one unsuccessful try at 7-11½, which would have been a European record. American Erik Kynard was second after clearing 7-9¼.
Hellen Obiri also set a Diamond League record by winning the women’s 3,000 with the fastest time since 1993, clocking 8:20.68to beat fellow Kenyan Mercy Cherono.
Obiri came from behind to surge past Cherono over the last 15 meters, while world indoor champion Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia faded late and only managed a distant sixth despite clocking a personal best 8:26.21.
On a night of fast times, Asbel Kiprop of Kenya won the men’s 1,500 in a world-leading 3:29.18 in a race that saw a record six people finish under 3:31.
Other winners included Americans LaShawn Merritt in the men’s 400 and David Oliver in the 110 hurdles. Merritt equaled his world-leading time of 44.44, while Oliver won in 13.23.
In the absence of injured world record-holder David Rudisha of Kenya, Mohammed Aman of Ethiopia won the men’s 800 in 1:44.49, beating Nijel Amos of Botswana by 0.05 seconds.
Adekoya Kemi of Nigeria was one of the most surprising winners as she shaved 0.7 seconds off her personal best to win the women’s 400 hurdles in 54.59.
“I swear I never expected to win. There are so many world-class athletes here and I felt scared to run against them,” Kemi said. “I can’t tell you how I really pushed myself.”
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