Masai Russell’s long-awaited breakthrough finally came in Silesia, as she claimed her first-ever Diamond League victory in spectacular fashion.
On a day that featured three Diamond League records, four world-leading marks, Olympic redemption for Kishane Thompson, and Keely Hodgkinson’s stunning comeback from injury, Russell still managed to seize the spotlight with a performance for the ages at the Kamila Skolimowska meet.
The 25-year-old American, the reigning Olympic champion and second-fastest woman in history over the sprint hurdles, had gone winless in her previous nine Diamond League appearances. Even after posting two fourth-place finishes earlier this season in Eugene and Monaco, her record remained an enigma.
Her struggles looked set to continue when she ran 12.36 in the heats, finishing behind Nadine Visser, who broke the meeting record with 12.28. But in the final, Russell found another gear. She surged clear of Visser and held off strong late pushes from Tonea Marshall and Tobi Amusan to cross the line first.
OMEGA, the Wanda Diamond League’s official timekeeper, recorded her at 12.19 seconds a new Diamond League record and the joint third-fastest time in history. Only Russell herself and world record-holder Amusan have ever gone quicker.
“This is my first Diamond League win, so I’m so happy!” Russell said afterwards. “It means a lot because these are the women I’ll be facing at the World Championships. I did it at USAs, and now I’ve done it on the world stage.”
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