Zhang Guowei. (File Photo) |
OSLO, June 11 -- China' s Zhang Guowei beat a strong field in the men' s high jump competition to highlight the IAAF Diamond League Oslo meeting here Thursday night.
Only one world best mark was set in the meeting, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary at the Bislett Stadium.
Zhang, 24, cleared the 2.36 meters for the title, but failed to jump over the 2.40m in three efforts.
Hot favourite Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar, who chalked up the world best with 2.41m last month in Eugene and with a 2.43m perosnal best, only managed a third position at 2.33m. Italy' s Marco Fassinotti finished second at 2.33.
The men' s high jump was the most eye-catching event of the meeting. All the five best high jumpers, who cleared 2.40m, took part in the competition.
Zhang said after the victory: "I am very satisfied with my performance tonight. I didn' t expect to beat those big names. I tried at the 2.40, and I hope to do good in the coming world championships this August in Beijing."
Kailiese Spencer of Jamaica, who won the Shanghai and Brimingham Diamond League meetings early this year, coasted home first in the women' s 400m hurdles in a world leading time of 54.15 seconds.
In the women' s shot put, German Christina Schwanitz, world silver mealist, opened a winning toss of 21.14 meters to seal the victory. She won the Brimingham meeting last week.
Gaterine Ibarguen of Colombia chalked up her third DL win in a row to win the women' s triple jump in the fourth outing at 14.68 meters, beating Bulgarian Gabriela Petrova, 14.57m, and Ukraine' s Olha Saladukha, 14.46m.
The women' s 110m hurdles top positions were snatched by the U.S. runners with Jasmin Stowers coming first in 12.84 seconds, ahead of Brianna Rollins, 12.84, and Queen Harrison, 13.02.
Steven Gardiner of Bahamas took the men' s 400 meters title in 44.64 seconds, while Laura Muir of Britain beat African favorites to win the women' s 1500 meters in 4 minutes, 00.39 seconds.
Jairus Kipchoge Birech led a Kenyan sweep of top three in the men' s 3000m steeplecase in 8 minutes, 5.63 seconds. His teammates Consesius Kipruto finished in 8:11.92 ahead of Kipsiele Koech' s 8:12.20.
The men' s 200 meters saw French Christophe Lemaitre win the title in 20.21 seconds.
The women' s 5000 meters was won as expected by Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba in 14 minutes and 21.29 seconds, but she failed to beat the meet record set by her elder sister Tirunesh in 2008.
Britain' s Olympic champion Greg Rutherford, landed the men' s long jump gold with a 8.25m leap, well short of his personal best 8.51m.
Marharyta Dorozhon of Israeltossed 64.56 meters to take the women' s javelin laural, and Murielle Ahoure of CIV won the women' s 100 meters in 11.03, ahead of Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown, 11.08.
Day|Week