DL Final Day 1 Men — Kovacs Wins Big, Awaits WC Fate

Now a 3-time DL shot champion, with 5 WC medals to his name (2 golds, 2 silvers, 1 bronze), Joe Kovacs can only compete in Tokyo if Ryan Crouser elects to relinquish his Wild Card spot. (DIAMOND LEAGUE AG)

ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND, August 27 — This was perhaps Tokyo for Joe Kovacs. The 2-time DL champion had finished just 4th at the USATF Champs. Unlike others hoping that a DL win here would send them to Tokyo, Kovacs had to compete knowing that the United States can send only one Wild Card athlete, and reigning world champ Ryan Crouser has dibs.

In round 1, Kovacs hit 71-6 (21.79) to match the opener thrown by Tripp Piperi. Payton Otterdahl’s opener was just behind at 71-4 (21.74).

Piperi was the first to move into the lead in a wild round 2, throwing 71-8 (21.84), then he was immediately dropped to 2nd by Rajindra Campbell, who hurled a 71-9 (21.87). Up next came Otterdahl, who took over with his 71-10¼ (21.90). Then Kovacs responded with a 72-6¼ (22.10). Four lead changes in four throws.

In contrast, no one improved in round 3. Otterdahl hit 72-5 (22.07) to improve his grip on 2nd in round 4. Two throws later Kovacs blasted his big one, 73-8¼ (22.46), just missing his season best. He followed with a 71-1 (21.92) in round 5 and then was one of the 6 (of 7) who fouled in the final stanza.

Kovacs said that he will be ready for Tokyo if Crouser — who has not competed in a regulation comp all year — gives up his spot but otherwise will be on family vacation in September. “I can only control what I can control. It was good to come out here with this throw,” said Kovacs, adding, “I’d like to keep my [Worlds] medal streak alive but I’m also happy to get home to my wife and my kids.”

In the vault, Mondo Duplantis survived another challenge from Emmanouíl Karalís. Both cleared 19-4¼ (5.90) on first attempt, a height that Sam Kendricks also tried, with a miss and a pass. At 19-8¼ (6.00), Duplantis cleared on his first. Kendricks missed and then withdrew. Karalís, with two misses, needed to make a clutch clearance to stay in the game. He made it, but that was the last make of the day.

The bar moved to 20-0 (6.10), a mark that would be a Greek Record for Karalís, but neither man was able to put it together at that altitude. Said Duplantis, “There are days when I feel decent and others when I feel bad. Today I felt somewhere in-between.”

The long jump proved to be a home-crowd pleaser. After early leads by Italy’s Mattia Furlani, who jumped 26-1 (7.95) in round 1, and Australia’s Liam Adcock, who went 26-9¼ (8.16) in round 2, Swiss Simon Ehammer delivered a 27-3¾ (8.32) in round 3.

That would hold up, though Furlani gave him a scare in round 5 with an impressive 27-2¾ (8.30). The win already sealed, Ehammer’s final trip down the runway was mostly a victory dash, with the joyous flag-waving crowd cheering noisily. Too happy to nail the leap, the ’22 Worlds bronze medalist aborted in mid-air and joined the celebration.

Ehammer says that he will do both the long jump and decathlon in Tokyo. “I cannot find words to describe my feelings. Winning at home in Zurich, winning at the Diamond League Final, it is huge. I lost a lot on the board at my best jump but the jump was good. I hope to bring this flow to Tokyo.”

ZÜRICH DL MEN’S RESULTS, DAY 1

(street)

PV: 1. Mondo Duplantis (Swe) 19-8¼ (6.00) (18-½, 19-¼, 19-4¼, 19-8¼, 20-0 [xxx]) (5.50, 5.80, 5.90, 6.00, 6.10 [xxx]); 2. Emmanouíl Karalís (Gre) 19-8¼ (6.00) (18-6½, 19-4¼, 19-8¼ [3], 20-0 [xxx]) (5.65, 5.90, 6.00 [3], 6.10 [xxx]); 3. Sam Kendricks (US) 19-¼ (5.80); 4. tie, Menno Vloon (Neth) & Kurtis Marschall (Aus) 18-6½ (5.65);… nh—Renaud Lavillenie (Fra).

LJ: 1. Simon Ehammer (Swi) 27-3¾ (8.32) (26-¾, f, 27-3¾, 26-7, f, 21-¾) (7.94, f, 8.32, 8.10, f, 6.42); 2. Mattia Furlani (Ita) 27-2¾ (8.30) (26-1, 26-3¾, 26-2¾, f, 27-2¾, 26-0) (7.95, 8.02, 7.99, f, 8.30, 7.92); 3. Liam Adcock (Aus) 27-½ (8.24) (25-4¾, 26-9, 26-9¼, 26-8¼, 26-11¾, 27-½) (7.74, 8.15, 8.16, 8.13, 8.22, 8.24); 4. Wayne Pinnock (Jam) 26-9 (8.15); 5. Carey McLeod (Jam) 26-5¾ (8.07); 6. Miltiádis Tentóglou (Gre) 25-1¾ (7.66).

SP: 1. Joe Kovacs (US) 73-8¼ (22.46) (71-6, 72-6¼, 70-10½, 73-8¼, 71-11, f) (21.79, 22.10, 21.60, 22.46, 21.92, f); 2. Payton Otterdahl (US) 72-5 (22.07) (71-4, 71-10¼, f, 72-5, f, f) (21.74, 21.90, f, 22.07, f, f); 3. Rajindra Campbell (Jam) 71-9 (21.87) (69-7½, 71-9, 70-1½, 70-8, 71-4, f) (21.22, 21.87, 21.37, 21.54, 21.74, f); 4. Tripp Piperi (US) 71-8 (21.84); 5. Tom Walsh (NZ) 70-8½ (21.55); 6. Leonardo Fabbri (Ita) 70-5¼ (21.47); 7. Stefan Wieland (Swi) 61-¾ (18.61).

Jeff Hollobaugh is a writer and stat geek who has been associated with T&FN in various capacities since 1987. He is the author of How To Race The Mile. He lives in Michigan where he can often be found announcing track meets in bad weather.

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