This Day in Track & Field, October 3, Lon Myers runs 1:55.4, equals WR for 800m (1885), Gong Li Jao (China) wins second shot put title (2019), by Walt Murphy News & Results Services

This Day in Track & Field—October 3

1885—Future Hall-of-Famer Lon Myers ran 1:55.4 in New York to match his World Record for 800-meters.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lon_Myers

1914—George Parker ran 21.2 (21-1/5) in Fresno,CA, to equal the World Record for 200-Meters on the straight that was shared by fellow Americans Bernie Wefers, Ralph Craig, Don Lippincott, and Howard Drew.

WR Progression: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/200_metres_straight

1936–Archie San Romani, Sr. pulled off a huge upset by winning the Mile (4:09.0) at Princeton over Jack Lovelock and Glenn Cunningham, the last two World Record holders in the event. The race was held during the Princeton-Williams football game.  Earlier in the year, San Romani ended his collegiate career at Emporia State by winning his 2^nd NCAA title in the 1500/Mile (won the Mile in 1935) and finished 4^th in the 1500-meters at the L.A. Olympics. His son, Archie, Jr, was 2^nd in the NCAA 1500 in 1964 while at Oregon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archie_San_Romani

https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/78993

Sports Illustrated Vault: https://vault.si.com/vault/1959/05/11/archie-san-romani-sr-and-jr

2019— Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser, the surprise silver medalist in the Women’s 400-Meters at the 2017 Worlds, provided another stunner in Doha, upsetting favored Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas and winning in 48.14, the 3^rd-fastest time in history (fastest in 34 years). Miller-Uibo finished 2^nd with a personal best of 48.37, making her the 6^th-fastest woman ever in the event (at the time). Winning the bronze medal was Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson (49.47/PB). Finishing 4^th and 5^th were Americans Wadeline Jonathas (49.60) and defending champion Phyllis Francis (49.61/PB).

(Eid Naser missed the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Championships after being banned for two years for a “whereabouts” violation. She returned to competition in 2023 and won the silver medal at the 2024 Olympics).

https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2021/07/01/salwa-eid-naser-doping-ban-400-meters/

       China’s Gong Lijiao won her 2^nd straight World title in the Women’s Shot Put with a toss of 64-1  ¾ (19.55), but got a scare from Jamaica’s  Danniel Thomas-Dodd, who almost pulled off an upset with her final throw of 63-10  ½ (19.47). Winning the bronze medal was Germany’s Christina Schwanitz (62-10  ¾ [19.17]), the 2015 World Champion. Finishing 4-7-9 were Americans Maggie Ewen (62-1  ¼ [18.93]),…