Travis Padgett and Allyson Felix of the US won the men’s 100m and women’s 400m at the Qatar Super Grand Prix on Friday.
Padgett equaled the year’s best time of 10 seconds, pushing Jamaica’s Michael Frater to second in 10.15 seconds and Britain’s Marlon Devonish to third.
“I came here to win and I think I did pretty well out there,” Padgett said. “It was good competition, not an easy race. I was running on a fast track so that helped.”
PHOTO: AFP
Felix easily won her first individual race of the season in a time of 50.75 seconds.
For the Beijing Olympics 200m silver medalist, it was her seventh win in five appearances in Doha.
“I think I am getting in shape [for the season ahead] very nicely. It is not a great time, but it was my first [individual] race of the season,” Felix said.
Jamaica’s Kerron Stewart won the women’s 100m in 10.93 seconds, a meet record at Qatar Sports Club Stadium.
Stephanie Durst of the US was second in 11.15 seconds and Jamaica’s Sheri-Ann Brooks third.
“I felt really good after the first 40m,” Stewart said. “I kept my composure and finished strong. I am definitely happy. I am a perfectionist, so I will try to improve in my next races. I think I have to work on the first 30m.”
US sprinter David Oliver barely broke into a sweat in winning the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.09 seconds, the year’s best time. Antwon Hicks of the US was second in 13.24 seconds and Andrew Turner of Britain was third.
Another year’s best time was set in the 800m, won by Abubaker Kaki Khamis of Sudan in 1 minute, 43.09 seconds, also a meet record.
Canada’s Priscilla Lopes-Schleip won the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.52 seconds, another meet record and year’s best time.
“All the girls were quite fast,” Lopes-Schleip said. “But I think I did a good job, getting a good time.”
In the women’s high jump, Blanka Vlasic of Croatia won easily with 2.05m, a meet record.
In the men’s javelin, Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen threw 83.39m for the win.
“I could have done better. I can improve,” Thorkildsen said.
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