Mahuchikh, Holloway Headline Paris Diamond League

On Friday, Yaroslava Mahuchikh made the headlines of the Diamond League in Paris while the athletes continue to settle their shape before the September world championships in Tokyo.

Here, AFP Sport examines four disciplines off competition during the eighth meeting of the Diamond League circuit of 15 events at the Charlety stadium:

– Women’s height jump –

Mahuchikh won the world of high jump at the age of 23.

The world and Olympic champion established the current 2.10 meter world record during the Diamond League competition last year in Paris.

It was a jump that erased the legendary 2.09m world record established by the Bulgarian Stefka Kostadinova at the Worlds in Rome in 1987

“I don’t like” world pressure “,” said the Ukrainian, adding that her coach insisted that she focuses on herself and the jumping technique.

“It’s so exciting to jump here after the world record, I want to do my best and give the spectators a memory on Friday.”

Mahuchikh, looking at the worlds, added: “Each Diamond League and each competition now shows what we have done, what we should do better and get in shape for the season.

“I think something special happens.”

The Australian pair of Eleanor Patterson and Nicola Olysgers, a double indoor world champion who won twice in Paris (2021, 2023), will also be in the running for the podium.

– 110m men’s hedges –

The Star of the United States Grant Holloway returns to the track after flopping during the opening competition of the Diamond League in China.

Holloway finished last after having led a large part of his race but losing momentum after the eighth obstacle.

The triple world champion and Olympic gold medalist dragged through the line in 13.72 seconds, well behind the American compatriot Cordell Tinch.

“Everyone wants to win each track meeting they go,” said Holloway. “But you must be able to give and take.

“The ultimate goal is certainly the world championships in Tokyo.”

Back in competition, he added, would allow him to “reassess and attack and redo the same thing”.

Tinch is absent from the French capital, but Holloway will feel the warmth of the compatriots Trey Cunningham and Freddie Crittenden, Rashid Muratake of Japan, and the French trio of Wilhem Belocien, just Kwaou-Mathey and Sasha Zhoya.

– 400m female –

Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic is at the top of the field for the female 400m, and will face solid land, including the second of summer, Bahraini Salwa Eid Naser and the Dutch athlete Lieke Klaver.

Paulino, gold medalist at the Paris Olympic Games from last year and the 2023 worlds in Budapest, has been the star of the show for two years.

She won the race for a touch to Paris Meets in 2023 and 2024. However, it was Eid Naser, world champion in 2019 and Victor in Charlety in 2018, which established the standard this term thanks to a period of 48.67 seconds in Kingston.

“I think I can continue to be the star star,” said Paulino. “I worked hard to be strong and on the track, fans like the show, and between me and Salwa, we are able to make a show.

“It was an excited season, preparing for the worlds, that’s the goal.”

– 3000m male steeplechase –

Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia illuminated the 2023 edition of the Paris meeting by breaking the previous world record (7: 52.11).

There was a disaster at the Paris Olympic Games, however, after Girma fell heavily in the last round of the Stade de France track.

“I am very happy to be able to come back here,” said Girma. “Paris is like my house!

“After falling in Paris, the feeling was very bad and my head hurt. It took a few months to return to training.

“I am happy to be in good health and to come back in competition.”

Sofiane El Bakkali from Morocco is the double Olympic Steeplechase champion.

He will also be at the Charlete, but this time, he will queue for the 5000m, alongside the Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha, who has no less than 10 victories of the Diamond League.

LP / PI