Bernard Lagat en route to a comfortable 1500m win in Tangiers (© Tangiers organisers)
Carmelita Jeter, Christian Cantwell and Bernard Lagat produced the standout performances at the third edition of the Meeting International Moulay El Hassan in Tangiers on Sunday (18).
Jeter, the current leader in the Samsung Diamond League’s 100m Diamond Race, dominated the100m field in 11.04, well ahead of Jamaican Sherone Simpson who clocked 11.23.
Cantwell, likewise the Diamond Race leader in the Shot Put, again beat back all challengers with a 21.43m best, well ahead of his American compatriots Reese Hoffa (20.83) and Dan Taylor (20.51m). It was Cantwell’s 17th victory in as many competitions this year, extending his victory streak to 19.
The main event of the day was the men’s 1500m, an event in which meeting Director Hicham El Guerrouj has held the World record since 1998. Bernard Lagat, a long-time on track rival of El Guerrouj and friend off the track, won here for the second time in 3:36.79 ahead of South African Juan van Deventer (3:37.04) and former World junior champion Yassine Bensghir of Morocco, who reached the line in 3:37.33.
Anna Mishchenko of Ukraine spoiled a Moroccan parade in the women’s metric mile, winning in 4:11.10 over freshly-minted national record holder Ibtisam Lakhouad (4:11.42) who led three others Moroccan’s across the finish line.
Kenyan Olympian Boaz Lalang won the men's 800 in 1:44.92, just ahead of American miler Leo Manzano, who clocked 1:45.17. The women’s 800m was fiercely contested. Jamaican Kenia Sinclair took the win in 2:01.57, ahead of Rome winner Halima Hachlaf (2:01.64).
Anas Selmouni did a produce thrilling victory for Morocco in the 3000m. Selmouni out-dueled Kenyan Remmy Limo to take the win in 7:39.01 to 7:39.23.
Jamaican Mario Forsythe took home the short dash double winning the 100m in 10.18 and the 200m in 20.94. American Ryan Wilson, just two days after his runner-up finish behind David Oliver in Paris, won the 100m Hurdles in 13.48.
American Lacy Janson set a meet record in the women’s Pole Vault with her 4.50m winning clearance. Cuban Yarelis Barrios won the women’s Discus Throw with a 62.95m best ahead of American Aretha Thurmond (59.26m).
Among the dignitaries in attendance were IAAF Council Member Nawal El Moutawakel, International Olympic Committee Vice President Thomas Bach, and the President of the African Athletics Confederation Hamad Kalkaba Malboum.
Mohammed Benchrif for the IAAF
