MARRAKECH, MOROCCO, May 19 — The Marrakech diamond wasn’t particularly shiny, perhaps because most of the glitter was at the Los Angeles Grand Prix the day before. The fourth Diamond League stop produced some performances that were noteworthy, but not spectacular. Even the meet’s lone world leader came in an event (the women’s 800) where some of the biggest stars haven’t fully flexed their outdoor muscles yet.
The event with the most star power was the men’s discus, where newly minted World Record holder Mykolas Alekna, throwing in his first Diamond League meet, took yet another foray beyond 70 meters. His 231-11 (70.70) in the fourth round easily bested a field that included event greats Daniel Ståhl and Kristjan Čeh.
Australia’s Matt Denny took the early lead (and his best of the day) at 222-3 (67.74), but by the next round Alekna was in control at 229-5 (69.94). The Lithuanian’s final toss of 223-8 (68.18) also would have given him the win. World and Olympic champion Ståhl placed 3rd in 221-5 (67.49), while Čeh had an off day — his lone legal throw of 212-1 (64.64) placed 7th.
If Alekna can maintain that 70-plus consistency, the 21-year-old could be ready to trade up from the Worlds silver and bronze he earned in 2022 and 2023.
“I’m happy with my result, over 70 meters, that’s what I hoped for,” said Alekna. “Yesterday I had a really long flight from the United States, so I wasn’t as fresh, but I’m happy with it.”
In that women’s 800, South African Prudence Sekgodisa took the global lead away from the 1:57.56 by both Uganda’s Halimah Nakaayi and Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma in the LA meet.
The race was led through halfway by an actual competitor, as the pacesetter faltered and Ethiopia’s Habitam Alemu went past the bell in 57.07.
Sekgodisa attempted to pass on the inside on the backstretch, but Alemu wisely hugged the rail into the curve — and then unwisely moved wide in the stretch. This time, Sekgodisa seized the gift. Her 1:57.26 was a big PR (beating her 1:58.05 from March 2), while Alemu held on for 2nd in 1:57.70.
“I didn’t expect to run so fast,” Sekgodisa said. “Winning was in my mind but not with such a fast time. It’s crazy fast. I am so proud of myself tonight. Achieving a world lead and a personal best is just…
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