Pat Price | On 27, Jul 2013

photo: Track and Field photo

Five quick thoughts on the second day of competition at the Sainsbury Anniversary Games, the London stop on the Diamond League tour…

The American Men looked strong in the 400 Hurdles

The guys got the day started off in impressive fashion by finishing 1-4 in the long hurdles. Javier Culson didn’t have so much of a bad day as Michael Tinsley, Johnny Dutch and Justin Gaymon had great days. Bershawn “Batman” Jackson faded a little down the stretch, but held off Culson for the American podium, plus one, sweep. Tinsley appears to be rounding into top form at just the right time, and it’s also great to see Dutch running so well over his past two races. After USA’s, you wondered if Dutch would make the trip to Europe this year. He was really, really upset. A job well done by America!

Centro looks to be in trouble, but… this was a time trial

It’s been a rough go lately for Matt Centrowitz Jr. Today he turned his head almost completely around with 200 meters to go to make sure he had someone behind him. It was a rough looking 3:58. On the bright side, every other American in the race looked great. Galen Rupp (3:52.11) led Jordan McNamara (3:52.42), David Torrence (3:52.74). Andy Bayer (3:52.90) and Garrett Heath (3:53.15) to excellent finishes. Augustine Choge showed he’s not done yet in outkicking the youngster, Ayanieh Souleiman, for the win in 3:50.01. Centro has shown is a much better racer, than time trialer, so hopefully his strengths will show in a few weeks in Moscow.

Valerie Adams is pretty good at the Shot Put

The two time Olympic Gold medalist, Adams, came out swinging today with a 20.71m throw in the first round. She would continue her dominance and throw over 20 meters in all six rounds, maxing out with a 20.90m World Leader and Meet Record throw in the fifth round. She’ll be poised to defend her 2011 World Championship in Moscow. Fun fact: Her brother, Steven, was drafted 12th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Ryan Hill’s third place finish at USA’s was no fluke

Hill further validated his place on the Moscow 5000 team by finishing an impressive second, to only Mo Farah, in the 3000 today. Just a few weeks ago in Heusden, Hill ran a 12-second PR of 13:14.22 and the ‘A’ standard in the process, and will take even more confidence going into the World Championships in knowing he defeated an excellent field, including Tariku Bekele, Andrew Bumbalough, Dathan Ritzenhein, Cam Levins en route to a 7:42.32 and a final 1000 meters in ~2:30.

The Brits love Mo Farah and Track and Field (but mostly Mo)

Two sold out days at Olympic Stadium, one year after the Olympics is quite an encore. It was a great show. Although many top Kenyans and Ethiopians were missing from the distance events, the fans still got to see Mr. Olympics, Usain Bolt, twice, and the Mobot, after he essentially closed the sporting weekend out in style with another dominant win.

Full results are available here: http://www.diamondleague-london.com/Live-StartlistsResults/Overview/