Athletics: Fit-again Coleman borders 100m in Rabat



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RABAT (Reuters) – American Christian Coleman came back from injury to run his fastest 100-meter run of the season and clinch victory in an impressive 9.98-second field at the meet. Diamond League Friday in Rabat.

Athletics – Diamond League – Rabat, Morocco – July 13, 2018 Christian Coleman of the United States celebrates the victory of the men's 100m REUTERS / Youssef Boudlal

Coleman beat his compatriots Ronnie Baker (9.98) and Noah Lyles (9.99) on a photo -finish as he participated for the first time since the end of May having struggled with a thigh injury.

The 22-year-old took a quick start in the blocks and managed to fend off a late charge from Lyles.

"It was a perfect night for me, a good race and a good time," Coleman told reporters.

"I could not be happier, I'm not so surprised to win my first race (back injury), even with such a big field because I've been very fast in practice in recent days.

Athletics – Diamond League – Rabat, Morocco – July 13, 2018 Christian Coleman, Ronnie Baker and Michael Rodgers of the United States face the men's 100m REUTERS / Youssef Boudlal

"When I was injured, I managed to maintain a good Russian world champion Maria Lasitskene, undefeated in her previous 45 high jump events dating back to June 2016, saw her incredible streak of victories come to an end. Olympic silver medalist Mirela Demireva of Bulgaria in 2016. She failed at 1.94m.

"I'm disappointed of course, but these things happen," said Lasitskene. "I got lost, I had no problem, no injuries, it was just a bad day, now I have to go back to training and work hard."

South African rollercoaster Semenya broke his own world record this year in the 1000m in 2: 31.01, a Diamond League record and sixth fastest time in history, but just over two seconds from Svetlana Masterkova's world record.

"It was a very good race, but unfortunately it was not as fast as expected," said Semenya.

Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi took advantage from the absence of Olympic champion Semenya in the women's 800m to claim a comfortable victory in 1: 57.90.

Slideshow (1965 Images)

GREAT IMPROVEMENT

World Champion Hellen Obiri has reduced his leadership time in the women's 5000m by more than five seconds while Kenyan won in 14: 21.75.

"I am very happy with this win, especially since I achieved the best world time in 2018," said Obiri. "The race was fast and difficult, especially in the last lap."

Dutch runner Sifan Hbadan set a new European record in 14: 22.34 finishing second. Ethiopian world indoor champion Yomif Kejelcha had the best time of the year in the men's 3000m in 7: 32.93, a meeting record and almost three seconds faster than his compatriot Selemon Barega in Ostrava last month.

Olympic champion Brianna McNeal won the women's 100m hurdles in record time of 12.51, pushing her compatriot Sharika Nelvis (12.58).

Jamaican Akeem Bloomfield took the men's 400m win, while 400m Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas won the women's 200m in a record time of 22.29.

Reportage by Nick Said; Editing by Toby Davis

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