24.05.2021
| Continental Tour Gold
He’s done it again: the American Grant Holloway clinched the next victory on the Continental Tour Gold in Boston. This means that the hurdle sprinter remains unbeaten in 2021. Meanwhile, Gina Lückenkemper was struggling with thigh problems. There was also a brief moment of shock in Wayde van Niekerk’s race.
He remains undefeated this year. Grant Holloway (USA), world champion in the 100 meter hurdles, continued his impressive series on late Sunday evening (Central European Time) and secured his 17th victory in the 17th race in 2021 at the Continental Tour Gold Meeting in Boston (USA).
The 23-year-old dominated the race on the sprint track built especially for the event in downtown Boston after the first few meters and ran to an undisputed victory in 13.20 seconds. More than half a second after him, Shane Brathwaite (Barbados; 13.71 sec) crossed the finish line in second place. Third was Valdo Szucs (Hungary; 13.72 sec). World record holder Aries Merritt (USA; 14.26 seconds) finished fifth. “I just want to get better every week,” Grant Holloway said on US television after his race.
There was a somewhat unexpected outcome in the men’s 100 meter race. Isiah Young (USA) sprinted to victory in 9.94 seconds, surprisingly clearly beating Noah Lyles (USA). The world champion over 200 meters, who had impressed with a new season best of 10.03 seconds in the run-up, was left in second place in 10.10 seconds. Third place went to Nickel Ashmeade (Jamaica; 10.17 sec).
Gina Lückenkemper with thigh complaints
Gina Lückenkemper (SCC Berlin), the only German starter of the event, has not yet been able to prove her increasing form in the last few weeks due to an injury. Immediately after the start, her thigh closed in her 100-meter race, so that the 24-year-old was unable to fight for victory. In 11.49 seconds she finally crossed the finish line in fourth place in the victory of the American Kiara Parker (11.07 seconds).
“It’s nothing super dramatic, but still annoying. It’s not that great to run with pain. I’m glad that didn’t happen at full speed, ”wrote Gina Lückenkemper on Instagram after her race. This week she will return to Germany and prepare for her next competition station there: The German Championships in Braunschweig (July 4th to 7th).
Wayde van Niekerk also gave the all-clear
The fans of 400 meter Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk (South Africa) also experienced a brief moment of shock. Over 200 meters, the 28-year-old was well in the race for a long time before suddenly slowing down significantly about 30 meters from the finish and allowing it to coast to a halt. In the finish area, the TV cameras caught him limping. He could be seen trying to avoid touching his right foot. Bad things have already been feared, and van Niekerk has been struggling with the consequences of a cruciate ligament rupture since 2017.
But shortly thereafter, the all-clear: His trainer Lance Brauman told the US broadcaster NBC that his protégé had felt tension in his hips and that it was only as a precaution that he did not go at full speed until the end. The Canadian Jerome Blake (19.89 sec) was able to secure the victory over 200 meters ahead of the Briton Zharnel Hughes (19.93 sec) and the American Aldrich Bailey Junior (20.45 sec).
Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Keni Harrison do justice to the role of favorites
In a strong field, women’s vice world champion Keni Harrison (USA) prevailed over 100 meter hurdles in a new meeting record with 12.49 seconds. Africa champion Tobi Amusan (Nigeria) followed in 12.62 seconds, Vice Indoor World Champion Christina Clemons (USA) completed the podium.
In the women’s race over 100 meters, Dafne Schippers (Netherlands) was unexpectedly left behind. The second of the Olympic Games over 200 meters had to chase the leaders early on and crossed the finish line in fourth place after 11.38 seconds. The American Aleia Hobbs took the win in 11.05 seconds ahead of her compatriots Gabby Thomas (11.16 seconds) and Morolake Akinosun (11.17 seconds).
In contrast, the 400 meter Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo lived up to her role as a favorite. On the 200 meter straight, the Bahamian sprinter won in 22.08 seconds ahead of the two Americans Kortnei Johnson (22.40 seconds) and Wadeline Jonathas (22.57 seconds). Jereem Richards (Trinidad and Tobago), third place in the world championship over 200 meters from 2017, won the unfamiliar 150 meters in 14.75 seconds ahead of relay Olympic champion Yohan Blake (Jamaica; 14.94 sec). Third place went to Andrew Hudson (USA; 14.94 sec).
To the complete results …
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