When Sweden’s Daniel Stahl opened his Diamond League season in Doha with three throws over 70 metres, he might have intimidated many rivals aspiring for a gold medal at this year’s IAAF World Championships at that very venue in late September.

Jamaica Olympic champion Omar McLeod expressed disappointment with a stumbling fifth-place finish at IAAF Diamond League, in Rabat on Sunday.

After getting off to a trademark quick start, it was McLeod who led the race most of the way.  He was, however, always under pressure from Sergey Shubenkov who close quickly as the Jamaican lost his form over the final two barriers.

McLeod tripped on the final barrier and in the process also clearing out the feet of Shubenkov.  The Russian was as a result, however, catapulted clear over the line.  Having lost all momentum, the Jamaican rolled over the line in fifth spot.  Shubenkov stopped the clocked at 13.12, with Great Britain’s Andrew Pozzi next over the line in 13.30.  Brazil’s Gabriel Constantino was third in 13.41.  McLeod was recorded with a time of 13.48.

 “I am not really satisfied with finishing fifth as I was aiming to win. The race was very quick and tough. I was running very fast but unfortunately I fell at the finish line,” a dissatisfied McLeod explained.

Jamaica discus thrower Fedrick Dacres, set a new national record and world lead, after registering a massive 70.78 to get the better of Sweden’s Daniel Ståhl at the Rabat Diamond League on Sunday.

The tight finish was, however, somewhat controversial. Initially, the victory had been awarded to Ståhl as Dacres’ massive throw, registered in the third round, was recorded as a foul.  After an appeal, however, the throw was validated, which also gave the Jamaican the meeting and Diamond League record.

Ståhl, who recorded his best throw of 69.94 in the third round, was as a result dropped to second place, with Austria’s Lukas Weisshaidinger registering a season-best of 68.14 for third.  With many initially believing Ståhl to be the winner, the IAAF later clarified the initial cause for the mix-up with a posting of the official results via its official Twitter handle.  The 25-year-old Dacres has dominated the event locally and claimed the 2018 Diamond League discus title. 

The record eclipsed the athlete's previous best of 69.67, set in Stockholm Sweden last year.  The result also moved Dacres to third place, on 15 points, in the Diamond qualification standing, just behind Weisshaidinger (19).  Ståhl leads the pack with 24 points.