Americans in Rabat | More sports News



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RABAT: American Christian Coleman signed a return to form and fitness on Friday by edging out Ronnie Baker compatriots and Noah Lyles to win a thrilling Diamond League 100-meter race in Rabat on Friday, while Hellen Obiri set a new world-leading time in the women's 5,000m.

Coleman, who was runner-up to Justin Gatlin at last year? S world championships, was quick to get out of the box just in time.

The 22-year-old set has 60m world record of 6.34sec this year, but has struggled with injuries since.

He will now turn his attentions to this weekend's inaugural Athletics World Cup in London.

"It was a perfect night for me – I could not be happier," he said.

"I am not so surprised to win on my first race (back), when I was injured, I managed to keep a good condition."

Baker and Lyles share the world-leading time of 9.88 for 2018.

The Coleman was a beacon on the dip, while Lyles was just one hundredth of a second slower.

Michael Rodgers underlined the Americans' dominance by coming fourth, as Britain's Reece Prescod was lucky to avoid disqualification for a false start and was fifth.

Kenya's Obiri, the reigning world champion and 2016 Olympic silver medallist, powered by Sifan Hbadan to win the women's 5,000m in a magnificent time of 14 minutes and 21.75 seconds.

"The race was fast and difficult, especially in the last lap," said Obiri.

Ethiopian-born Dutchwoman Hbadan had to settle for second and a new European record, beating the previous mark set by Russian Liliya Shobukhova on July 19, 2008 in Kazan.

Elsewhere, Russian high jumper Mariya Lasitskene saw her 45-competition unbeaten run come to an end, 1.94 meters.

The 25-year-old had not lost since June 2016 and has won gold medals at each of the last two world championships.

But her disappointing performance in Morocco allowed Bulgarian Mirela Demireva to snatch the win with 1.94m, but she later brought down the bar when attempting a personal best of 2.02m.

Lasistskene, who has cleared two meters in the world, because of the fact that he has not won the Olympics because of Russia's suspension from athletics by the IAAF over doping.

She was cleared to resume competing to last year as a neutral athlete.

South African middle-distance great Caster Semenya eased to victory in the rare-run 1,000m event, posting a time of 2: 31.01, before she heads to London to attempt the 800 / 1500m double in the World Cup.

"It was a very good race, but unfortunately it was not as soon as I expected," she said.

Olympic 400-meter champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas ran down Britain's Dina Asher-Smith to win the 200m in 22.29sec, while Olympic gold medalist Brianna Rollins-McNeal cruised to 100m hurdles victory in 12.51sec.

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