Julien Alfred continued her sizzling form on Sunday at the Stockholm Diamond League, storming to a meeting record 10.75 seconds in the women’s 100m — the second-fastest time in the world this year.
Just three days after clocking 10.89 to win in Oslo, the St Lucian sprint star took her performance up another notch in the Swedish capital, leaving a world-class field behind to strengthen her credentials as a major contender for World Championship gold in Tokyo.
“After Oslo, I had to have a long chat with my coach and he went through everything with me for today’s race,” Alfred said. “He reassured me that I am in great shape because I was doubting myself. But I am happy today with how the race went. The turnaround was short but it is nothing new to me, I have done it before. I shall be heading back to Austin for training now before Pre.”
Her training partner, Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, finished second in a season-best 10.93. “I felt like I had a good start and held my form well but I prefer to win, obviously,” said Asher-Smith. “I train with Julien so we like to race each other – we can bring the best out of each other.”
Côte d’Ivoire’s Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith claimed third in 11.00, equaling her season best.
In the women’s 100m hurdles, Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent continued her consistent season, finishing second in 12.37 behind American Grace Stark, who ran a lifetime best 12.33 to take the win. Nadine Visser of the Netherlands finished third in a season-best 12.49, followed by Devynne Charlton of The Bahamas in fourth (12.59 SB), and American Kendra Harrison in fifth (12.69).
“Everything went smoothly after I was initially shaken a little from the call-back but that was actually my best start so I was very pleased,” said Nugent. “The season has been good so far – I just want to keep enjoying the sport, enjoying different countries. I’m excited to next race in Paris and I know I can make the final in Tokyo (World Championships in September).”
There was redemption in the men’s 400m hurdles as Rai Benjamin of the USA bounced back from defeat in Oslo to beat reigning world and Olympic champion Karsten Warholm. Benjamin clocked a world-leading and meeting record 46.54, ahead of Brazil’s Alison dos Santos (46.68 SB) and Warholm (47.41).
In the women’s 400m, Sada Williams of Barbados equalled her season’s best with 50.94 to finish seventh. The race was won by American Isabella Whittaker in 49.78, with Norway’s Henriette Jæger second (50.07) and Britain’s Amber Anning third (50.17 SB).
In the women’s 400m hurdles, Femke Bol of the Netherlands was dominant once again, taking victory in a meeting record 52.11. She was followed by American Dalilah Muhammad (52.91 SB) and Panama’s Gianna Woodruff (53.99 SB).
The men’s 200m went to Cuba’s Reynier Mena in a season-best 20.05, ahead of Joseph Fahnbulleh of Liberia (20.32) and American Kyree King (20.49). “I have been getting faster each race and hope to go under 20 seconds soon,” said Mena. “Ostrava is next.”
The men’s 800m produced fireworks as Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi, just 20 years old, ran a world-leading 1:41.95. Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati was second (1:42.27 SB) and American Josh Hoey third (1:42.43 PB).