It wasn’t the plan, but Sarah Mitton has her Olympic redemption.
The shot putter from Brooklyn, N.S., threw 20.25 metres on Friday to win her first Diamond League Trophy, beating two-time defending champion Chase Jackson (19.90) of the United States to open the two-day season-ending track and field meet in Brussels.
Yemisi Ogunleye of Germany threw 19.72 for third place in the Diamond League Final, which doubles as the 48th Allianz Memorial Van Damme meet.
Priscilla Lopes-Schliep (100-metre hurdles) was Canada’s first Diamond League champion in 2010 and Dylan Armstrong won men’s shot put a year later. Last September, Andre De Grasse sprinted to the men’s 200m title.
Mitton said “a lot of frustrations and emotions” near the shot put circle during Friday’s event worked in her favour.
“It was really hectic …and I think that’s what produced my performance today,” she said. “But overall, a really good competition.
“I think I could have gone further but I am happy with the win,” continued Mitton, who also receives $30,000 US for her win. “I am really happy with my season. I had some ups and downs but I won a title in March [at the World Athletics Indoor Championships] and now the Diamond League title, so this is great. I am going to … do better next season.”
WATCH | Mitton throws 20.25 metres for her 1st Diamond League Final victory:
Sarah Mitton of Brooklyn, N.S., threw a distance of 20.25-metres good enough for the win Friday at the Diamond League event in Brussels.
Mitton arrived in Belgium this week following a three-week break during which she rested at home in Toronto and reset in training after fouling out of the Olympic final in Paris on Aug. 9, placing last in a field of 12 with a best of 17.48.
Mitton let out a huge yell upon releasing the ball on her winning throw Friday before a crowd of about 35,000 on a chilly evening at King Baudouin Stadium.
“I’m not going to the Diamond League Final looking for [Olympic] redemption but excited to show up on the circuit and try to throw my furthest on the day,” the 28-year-old told CBC Sports earlier this week.
“With a three-week break, sometimes it gets tough to stay focused, but I got in the [shot put] circle and worked on some pieces I know lead to bigger throws.”
Friday’s effort was Mitton’s fourth beyond 20 metres in outdoor competition this season. She tossed a Canadian record and world-leading 20.68 on May 11 in Fleetwood, Pa, followed by 20.15 on June 9 (USATF New York City Grand Prix) and 20.18 in Thum, Germany one week after the Olympic final.
It was likely going to take a big performance in Brussels to beat Jackson, who entered Friday’s competition ranked No. 1 in the world and fresh off a season-best 20.64 in Diamond League action on Aug. 22 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Mitton, ranked second, wasn’t sure this week what the “secret sauce” is to prevail in the Diamond League Final and get the better of Jackson, who failed to qualify for the Olympic final in Paris.
“We’ve had some solid battles this year,” Mitton told CBC Sports. “It takes my best day to get her. I managed to [beat] her at world indoors and our PBs are close together — hers is 20.76 and mine is 20.68.
“She definitely feels the heat from me, so I’m hoping over the next year or two I can take over that [No. 1 ranking]. It’s been a long season and mentally, I’m excited to be done. I’m tired and looking forward to some rest.”
Source Agencies
