Kennedy delivers third Diamond League victory of 2024 | Rome Diamond League
Published Fri 30 Aug 2024
Australia’s athletics royalty was in full strength at the Rome Diamond League with Nina Kennedy returning to the winner’s circle, while Jessica Hull and Matthew Denny claimed top 4 finishes.
The Olympic Champion was all class in her first shoot out since claiming gold in Paris. Kennedy (Paul Burgess and James Fitzpatrick) returned to the runway for the Golden Gala with a dominant performance to claim her third straight Diamond League win of 2024.
Pushed on by USA’s Sandi Morris, Kennedy was in control throughout and made light work of the opening rounds. After a second-round clearance of 4.83m, the Australian made it clear that she is ready to go higher in 2024 and skipped straight through to 4.93m.
The hot and windless conditions primed the West Australian to attempt a new personal best alongside Morris, with both athletes eager to best Molly Caudery’s (GBR) current world lead of 4.91m. Neither jumper was able to capitalise, with Morris bowing out at 4.93m, and Kennedy skipping her final jump to attempt 4.95m.
Kennedy’s miss at 4.95m meant her clearance at 4.83m was enough to clinch the win, while Morris (4.83m) secured second and Canada’s Alysha Newman (4.73m) collected third.
“It was a really good competition. Coming off the Olympics is really difficult, a lot of the girls are quiet tired, I went back to Australia and then coming back over to Europe was really difficult. So just to get the win and attempt a PB was really good and I’m happy,” said Kennedy.
“It’s like 5am in Australia, so I am a bit delirious. Really good conditions, it was hot and the poles were moving, so I’m happy with that.”
Despite failing to better her current Australian and Oceania record, Kennedy’s attempts at the heights are clear indication that the World Champion has more to give in 2024.
“I am really proud of myself, and I am proud of my team. At the start of the season, we set really high goals. We wanted to win the Olympics, we want to win the Diamond League final, we want to go out and jump a PB.”
“I am maturing as an athlete and I don’t think I’ve jumped my highest yet, I am still quiet young compared to Katie and Alysha and Sandi, so I still feel like I'm coming into my prime.”
Jessica Hull (Simon Hull) and Linden Hall (Ned Brophy-Williams) battled it out in a tactical Women’s 1500m, with Hull returning to racing for the first time since claiming silver at the Paris Olympics.
Hull delivered a solid opening 800m and was sitting on the shoulder of Faith Kipyegon (KEN) for much of the race. A slight slowdown by Kipyegon with 600m to go signalled the Kenyan was ready to lead a flying finish and push Hull to the end. A kick over the final 100m saw Ethiopian duo Freweyni Hailu and Birke Haylom move past the Australian, with Hull crossing in 3:54.98 to settle for fourth.
Signalling a return to form, Linden Hall has continued to bounce back from her calf injury and stopped the clock at 3:58.84 to secure 10th. Kipyegon lead the race from start to finish and crossed in 3:52.89, with Ethiopian duo Hailu (3:54.16) and Haylom (3:54.79) crossing the line in second and third.
Matthew Denny (Dale Stevenson) opened proceedings for the Australian contingent with his first step in to the thrower’s circle since Paris. The Olympic bronze medallist looked ready to unleash and opened with an admirable 66.05m. His second-round throw of 66.44m would prove to be his best in Rome, with Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna pushing Denny out of the top three in the final stages of the competition.
Slovenia’s Kristjan Ceh (68.61m) and Jamica’s Roje Stona (67.85m) collected first and second respectively, with Alelkna rounding out the top three with 67.68m.
Olympian Morgan McDonald (Dathan Ritzenhein) lined up in a stacked field of runners for the Men’s 5000m. After just missing the Olympic final, McDonald was further tested in hot conditions with the 12-and-a-half-lap race dominated by the Ethiopians runners. McDonald (13:20.53) crossed the line 10th, with Ethiopia collecting the top three places in Hagos Gebrhiwet (12:51.07), Yomif Kejelcha (12:51.25) and Selemon Barega (12:51.39).
The Diamond League series continues September 5 with the penultimate round bound for Zurich.
By David Smith for Athletics Australia
Posted: 31/8/2024
