African athletics stars Faith Kipyegon (Kenya), Marie Josee Ta Lou-Smith (Ivory Coast) and Tsige Duguma (Ethiopia) all emerged as winners of their respective events at the inaugural all-female ATHLOS meet in New York on Thursday.
The athletics meet, which was organised by Serena William’s husband, Alexis Ohanian, was held at the 5,000-capacity Icahn Stadium with the sole purpose of shining the light on women athletes across six major track events.
Olympic gold medallist Kipyegon solidified her exceptional title-laden year with victory in the 1500-metre event as she clocked a time of 4:04.79 seconds to lead the rest of the chasing pack.
The 30-year-old Kenyan saw off Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji, who ran 4.05:58s, and fellow countrywoman Susan Ejore-Sanders (4:06.25s) to complete an All-African podium, and remain unbeaten over the 1500m since June 2021.
Faith Kipyegon 🇰🇪 wins the women’s 1500m at ATHLOS in 4:04.79!!
A thorough masterclass in racing.
She remains undefeated over this distance since June 2021! pic.twitter.com/hKUqPOVoXa
— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) September 27, 2024
Meanwhile, in the 100m event, Ivorian Ta Lou clocked a time of 10.98s to defeat American and Olympic 200m bronze medallist Brittany Brown, who ran a season’s best 11.05s to finish second ahead of her compatriot Candace Hill (11.14s).
Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith 🇨🇮 is the ATHLOS women’s 100m Champion!!
She clocked a time of 10.98s (0.4) to win from Olympic 200m Bronze medallist Brittany Brown 🇺🇸 who posted a Season’s Best (SB) of 11.05s.
Candace Hill 🇺🇸 was 3rd in 11.14s. pic.twitter.com/ZmtHeg6U7f
— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) September 27, 2024
In the 800m event, Duguma, the silver medallist from the Paris Games defeated world champion and Olympics bronze medallist, Mary Moraa, to be crowned champion.
The 23-year-old Ethiopian ran a time of 1:57.43s to finish ahead of Moraa, who clocked 1:58.05s, while Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin finished third in 1:58.63s.
Tsige Duguma 🇪🇹 beats Mary Moraa 🇰🇪 to win the ATHLOS women’s 800m in New York with a time of 1:57.43!
Moraa winded down in 2nd in 1:58.05, while Natoya Goule-Toppin 🇯🇲 finished 3rd in 1:58.63. pic.twitter.com/t4HKqQgG6A
— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) September 27, 2024
In the other events, Olympic champions Gabby Thomas (22.21s) was stunned in the 200m by compatriot Brown, who crossed the tape in 22.18s, while Anavia Battle made it an all-American affair with her third-place finish in 22.34s.
Elsewhere in the 100m hurdles, two-time Olympic medallist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn took the crown as the Puerto Rican clocked 12.36s to finish ahead of the American duo of Alaysha Johnson (12.43s) and Olympic champion Masai Russell (12.44s).
Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino, who won the women’s 400m event at the Paris Olympics, closed out the season undefeated with a 49.59s victory at ATHLOS. She defeated American Alexis Holmes (49.99s) and Nigerian-born Bahraini Salwa Eid Naser (50.40s).
The winners of the six events at the ATHLOS meet, will each earn $60,000 – twice the prize paid at the 2024 Diamond League finale. Second place gets $25,000; third pockets $10,000; fourth earns $8,000; fifth place receives $5,000; and sixth walks away with $2,500.
ATHLOS TRACK MEET RESULTS
100m
1. Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith (CIV) — 10.98
2. Brittany Brown (USA) — 11.05
3. Candace Hill (USA) — 11.14
4. Daryll Neita (GBR) — 11.29
5. Zoe Hobbs (NZL) — 11.38
6. Celera Barnes (USA) — 11.41
100m Hurdles
1. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PUR) — 12.36
2. Alaysha Johnson (USA) — 12.43
3. Masai Russell (USA) — 12.44
4. Tonea Marshall (USA) — 12.51
5. Danielle Williams (JAM) — 12.56
6. Charisma Taylor (BAH) — 13.58
200m
1. Brittany Brown (USA) — 22.18
2. Gabby Thomas (USA) — 22.21
3. Anavia Battle (USA) — 22.34
4. Jenna Prandini (USA) — 22.62.
5. Tamara Clark (USA) — 22.83
6. Torrie Lewis (AUS) — 23.53
400m
1. Marileidy Paulino (DOM) — 49.59
2. Alexis Holmes (USA) — 49.99
3. Salwa Eid Naser (BRN) — 50.40
4. Shamier Little (USA) — 51.28
5. Lieke Klaver (NED) — 51.82
6. Lynna Irby-Jackson (USA) — 51.83
800m
1. Tsige Dugume (ETH) — 1:57.43
2. Mary Moraa (KEN) — 1:58.05
3. Natoya Goule-Toppin (JAM) — 1:58.63
4. Addy Wiley (USA) — 1:58.93
5. Halimah Nakaayi (UGA) — 1:59.62
6. Nia Akins (USA) — 2:01.32
1500m
1. Faith Kipyegon (KEN) — 4:04.79
2. Diribe Welteji (ETH) — 4:05.58
3. Susan Ejore-Sanders (KEN) — 4:06.25
4. Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) — 4:06.81
5. Cory McGee (USA) — 4:07.09
6. Katie Snowden (GBR) — 4:07.57
