South African jumper Ruswahl Samaai led the charge on Sunday, winning his specialist discipline, at the IAAF Diamond League Meeting in Rabat, Morocco.
Samaai produced a best leap of 8.35m to secure the first position in the men’s Long jump.
Four of the other five South African athletes in action finished fifth in their respective disciplines, including former Olympic silver medallist Khotso Mokoena who landed at 7.94m in the Long Jump event.
Making their Diamond League debuts, Thando Roto clocked 10.26 in the men’s 100m while teenager Clarence Munyai delivered a solid performance by clocking 20.31 in the men’s 200m. Wenda Nel clocked 55.31 in the women’s 400m Hurdles event.
Dropping down in distance, Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya settled for seventh place in the 400m Women race in 51.53.
The action saw many stars book their place in the Diamond League Final, while others picked up enough points to raise their hopes of securing a qualifying place.
Here’s a summary of the top headlines:
De Grasse qualifies in style
Andre De Grasse had said before Rabat that he wanted a fast time, and he delivered just that, breaking the meeting record in the 200m to come hom in 20.03.
The win brought him a crucial eight points, securing him his place in the Final, and making him only the second man in the 200m to have qualified so far.
Thompson delivers, Okagbare qualifies
Elaine Thompson had already booked her place in the 100m Final before Rabat, but she showed herself to be the favourite for the Diamond Trophy once again, racing home in 10.87 secs to take yet another victory.
Fourth place, meanwhile, was enough for Nigeria‘s Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor to secure her place in the Final.
