Mondo Duplantis and Shericka Jackson claim wins in Diamond League opener in Shanghai
The Swedish superstar fell just short of a 17th world record, with wins in Shanghai for Gift Leotlela in the men’s 100m and Jamaica's Shericka Jackson came out on top in the women’s 100m with Great Britain’s Amy Hunt down in fifth
Mondo Duplantis fell short in his latest pole vault world record bid but easily triumphed as the Diamond League season kicked off in Shanghai . Duplantis’ closest competitor was Kurtis Marschall, who bowed out after clearing 5. 80m, which left the Swedish superstar to attempt 6.
32, 1cm more than his current world record, having cleared 6. 12m before to win the event on the night. But Duplantis will have to wait for a 17th world record, having only set the latest mark in March, as his feet knocked off the bar in his first two attempts, and he fell well short on the third.
"The attempt at the world record was okay, I wish I could improve the run-up, the approach, speed and energy and then it will be good," said Duplantis. South Africa's Gift Leotlela edged Ferdinand Omanyala and Kenny Bednarek to win the Shanghai Diamond League 100 meters on Saturday, as Mondo Duplantis `fell short in his attempt to improve his pole vault world record yet again. Leotlela surged late to victory in a photo finish with Kenya's Omanyala and American Bednarek, twice an Olympic 200m medallist.
The South African finished in 9. 97 seconds to clinch his first Diamond League win. "It means a lot...