Simbine claim a memorable win in men’s 100m in 9.97sec at Silesia Diamond League.

Staff Reporter.

South Africa’s Akani Simbine held his form perfectly to claim a memorable win in the men’s 100m in 9.97sec at the Silesia Diamond League.

Simbine beat world champion Fred Kerley into second, on 9.98sec in a photo finish with third-placed Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon.

Newly-crowned US champion Cravont Charleston was fourth in 9.99sec.

It was Kerley’s first defeat of the season in track’s blue riband event, but the American seemed unfazed by the result.

“I feel good about today´s race. Nothing was missing. I got my job done,” he said.

Simbine added: “I won against all of them, not only against the world champion.

“I am the first to beat Fred this year, we have a good friendship, a good rivalry. I am very satisfied with my performance and hope to continue my good form.”

Simbine’s teammate Wayde van Niekerk confirmed his early-season form by scorching to an impressive victory in the men’s 400m, the world record holder clocking 44.08sec.

“It is my fastest run in seven years and 44.0 shows that 43 seconds is possible,” said Van Niekerk, who has been beset by injury problems since winning Olympic gold in Rio in 2016.

Nigeria’s world record holder Tobi Amusan set a new meeting record of 12.34sec when winning a loaded 100m hurdles race.

Olympic and world champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco won the men’s 3000m steeplechase in 8:03.16 for his ninth consecutive victory and third Diamond League win of the season.

And Venezuela’s Olympic champion and three-time world gold medallist Yulimar Rojas leaped a world leading distance of 15.18m when winning the women’s triple jump.

By the time pole vault king Mondo Duplantis had soared over the bar twice, at 5.61 and 5.81m, only Americans Sam Henricks and Christopher Nilsen were left in the competition, the rest of the field having bombed out.

The US-born Swede was the sole vaulter to clear 6.01m, which turned out to be the winning height after he failed three times at 6.13m.

Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.

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