STOCKHOLM (AP) — Olympic champion Sanya Richards-Ross edged Botswana‘s Amantle Montsho to win the women’s 400 meters at the DN Gala Diamond League meeting on Friday.
Richards-Ross moved in front of Montsho down the stretch and finished in 49.89 seconds. Montsho clocked 50.03, with Britain’s Christine Ohuruogu taking third in 50.77.
”I feel good. Coming back for a race like this after the Olympics, you can feel physically and emotionally drained,” Richards-Ross said. ”But it went pretty well. And the atmosphere was fantastic.”
American countryman Michael Tinsley also picked up a victory, beating Olympic champion Felix Sanchez in the 400-meter hurdles in 48.50 seconds. Dominican Sanchez finished 0.43 behind while Jamaican Leford Green was third in 48.97.
”I think it’s pretty good to get your legs going after the Olympics,” Tinsley said. ”There is a lot of physical and mental stress going into the Olympics, so it’s nice to come out and relax and run.”
Sanchez, who only arrived in Stockholm from his home country on Friday, felt he couldn’t have done much better under the circumstances.
”My legs are really tired and I didn’t get out well at all,” he said. ”My stride pattern was all messed up, so I was happy to come second. I haven’t been in Stockholm for 24 hours. My body is on auto-pilot right now.”
Olympic triple jump champion Christian Taylor of the United States managed 18.72 yards to win his event. Ukraine‘s Sheryf El Sheryf was second, and Russian Lyukman Adams took third.
”It went wonderful today,” Taylor said. ”My hopes were high and every time I compete I try to go over that 17-meter barrier… Obviously I’m on a high from the Olympic Games and I am just so blessed to have a wonderful coach, and winning this has been the icing on the cake.”
Shot put star Valerie Adams, coming off the New Zealander’s second Olympic gold in London, dominated her event, throwing 22.16 yards. Russian Yevgenia Kolodko was second with her 20.87-yard throw, while Germany‘s Christina Schwanitz was third.
”The goal was to win today, that’s always the goal,” Adams said. ”I wanted to throw more but after the drama that’s gone on over the last seven days it’s been pretty hard to get back up. So I’m happy with the win.”
Croatia‘s Olympic discus champion Sandra Perkovic set a new meeting record, winning her event with a 75.23-yard throw. Russian Darya Pischalnikova was second and German Nadine Muller third.
American Charonda Williams won the 200 meters in 22.82 seconds, followed by countrywoman Bianca Knight (22.86) and Ukraine‘s Mariya Ryemyen (22.94). Olympic champion Allyson Felix was not in the field.
In the women’s 3,000 meter steeplechase, Olympic champion Yuliya Zaripova of Russia clocked a sparkling time of 9:05.2. Tunisian Habiba Ghribi was second (9:10.36) and Ethiopian Etenesh Diro Neda third (9:14.07).
American Ryan Bailey won the men’s 100 meter race in 9.93 seconds. Jamaicans Nesta Carter and Michael Frater finished second and third respectively, but failed to dip below the 10-second mark.
2008 Olympic champion Dawn Harper won the women’s 100 meter hurdles, finishing in 12.65 seconds, ahead of fellow American Kellie Wells (12.76) and Bulgarian Alina Talay (12.79).
In the women’s pole vault, Olympic champion Jennifer Suhr failed miserably, not clearing a single height.
