Pryce runs strong third in 400m at Athlos meet

Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce clocked an impressive 49.39 seconds, but had to settle for third in the women’s 400 metres at yesterday’s Athlos London meeting at StoneX Stadium.

The event was won by Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic who stopped the clock at 48.73 to set a new Athlos meeting record. She edged out Norway’s Henriette Jaeger who produced an outstanding 48.78 for a national record.

Paulino’s 48.73 was particularly significant coming just six days after she ran 49.07 to win the 400m at the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest.

The Dominican Republic star had gone into Athlos saying that she wanted another opportunity to break 49 seconds before ending her season, and she delivered in spectacular fashion.

Paulino time was also faster than her 48.97 victory at the London Diamond League meeting in July, when she also finished ahead of Jaeger and Jamaica’s Williams.

Stacey Ann Williams, the other Jamaican in the event, was fifth in 50.11.

American Alaysha Johnson won a tightly contested women’s 100m hurdles race in 12.50 seconds, edging Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, who clocked 12.51, while Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas was third in 12.63.

Jamaica’s Danielle Williams was fourth, also in 12.63, with compatriot Megan Simmonds fifth in 12.66. Rayniah Jones of the United States was sixth in 12.83.

The women’s 100m was dominated by American sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson, who produced a meeting-record 10.80 seconds. New Zealand’s Zoe Hobbs was second in 11.19, while another American, Anavia Battle, took third in 11.25.

American sweep

In the 200m, Olympic champion Gabby Thomas completed an American sweep of the podium with a winning time of 22.13 seconds. Kayla White was second in 22.40 and Anavia Battle third in 22.43.

Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson thrilled the home crowd by winning the 800m in a meeting-record 1:56.40.

Valentina Rosamilia of Switzerland was second in 1:58.75, with France’s Renelle Lamote third in 2:00.15.

Poland’s Klaudia Kazimierska won the women’s mile in 4:19.43, holding off Britain’s Georgia Hunter Bell, who was second in 4:19.54. Kenya’s Dorcus Ewoi was third in 4:19.84.

The long jump also produced a late surprise, with American Alyssa Jones taking the victory with a best effort of 6.66 metres. France’s Hilary Kpatcha was second with 6.64m and American Monae’ Nichols third with 6.58m.

Athlos London, the first international staging of the women’s-only series, featured seven events and six athletes in each event. The meeting at StoneX Stadium marked the league’s first event outside the United States.