Former world champion Jana Rawlinson and former Olympic gold medalist Angelo Taylor won the 400m hurdles at the Herculis Super Grand Prix on Wednesday.
Their best times of the year gave them a boost ahead of next month's world championships in Osaka, Japan.
Rawlinson, the 2003 world champ from Australia, clocked 53.46 seconds. Melaine Walker of Jamaica finished second in 54.32.
"It's a time I can be really happy with," Rawlinson said. "I knew I was there time-wise, I've run five races this year and they all have been 54. I just had to get a good race together. I'm in a really good position for the world championships now. I hope I'll get in the final and even get a medal."
In the men's race, 2000 Olympic champ Taylor posted 48.45 to hold off fellow US runner Kerron Clement in the final straight.
"I did not expect such a fast time because I did not work specifically for it," Taylor said. "I've been running lots of 400 flats. I just want to get ready for next year and double in Beijing. No one in the world has ever done this: Double at the Olympics. As for Osaka I made the team in the 400, so I'm going there to win gold in the 400. And the relay of course, I want two gold medals."
In the men's 800m, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi of South Africa timed a world-leading 1:43.74 to win. The Olympic silver medalist was trapped in the pack in the last bend but accelerated in the straight to overtake Youssef Saad Kamel of Bahrain and Amine Laalou of Morocco.
"All I wanted was to win this race," Mulaudzi said. "I have had so many problems, I couldn't train at all. I got injured in January then a second time in May. The winning time is just a bonus."
Mariem Alaoui Selsouli of Morocco cruised to an easy victory in the women's 3,000 in a season-leading 8:29.52. Jen Rhines of the United States finished second with a personal best of 8:35.03.
In-form LaShawn Merritt got off to a strong start in the 400m to beat John Steffensen of Australia in 44.38. World silver medalist Andrew Rock came in fourth in 45.28.
"The whole race I felt both my calves cramp," Merritt said, "I was about to stop but I fought through, I stayed relaxed and executed a good race. I am pleased with my performance.
"In Osaka I want gold," Merritt added. "But it ain't gonna come that easy."
In the women's high jump, Blanka Vlasic of Croatia cleared 2.03m for victory but failed in her three attempts to improve her season-leading mark to 2.06m. World champion Kajsa Bergqvist finished second with a jump at 2m.
The croatian cleared 2.05m in Madrid last Saturday.
"I still feel a little empty, not in my legs but in my head," she said. "My first attempt at 2.06, it felt like I had it but I just made a little technical mistake. And you know, if you want to clear 2.06, you need to be perfect."
European record-holder Christine Arron took the women's 100m in 11.06, ahead of Carmelita Jeter in 11.11 and Me'Lisa Barber in 11.17. World champion Lauryn Williams finished fifth in 11.27.
"I've slept well this week, that changes everything," Arron said. "I've refound my energy. I was not worried about my shape because I do some good things in practice. My acceleration is coming back."
Tatyana Lebedeva of Russia leaped 15.10m to win the triple jump. The 2003 world champion established a season's best mark of 15.14 in Athens three weeks ago.
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