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Athletics: Vlasic unbeatable

Image: Vlasic: Perfect Diamond League record

Croatian high jumper Blanka Vlasic completed a clean sweep of seven Diamond League victories in Brussels on Friday.

Croatian completes perfect Diamond League record in Brussels

Croatian high jumper Blanka Vlasic completed a clean sweep of seven Diamond League victories with a triumph in the event in Brussels on Friday. Vlasic had already won the Diamond trophy heading into the final round of the IAAF series but cleared two metres to become the only athlete to remain unbeaten throughout the seven events. The double world champion edged out Italy's Antonietta Di Martino and Emma Green of Sweden, who both jumped 1.98m at the Van Damme Memorial. Meanwhile, American sprinter Tyson Gay just missed out on bettering his own world leading mark in the 100m but still comfortably took victory in 9.79 seconds. Trinidad and Tobago's Richard Thompson entered the race level on points with Gay but finished well adrift in fifth after running 10.11s.

Standings

Thompson did manage to hold onto second overall in the trophy standing, a point ahead of Jamaican athlete Yohan Blake. Caster Semenya set a season's best time of 1:59.65 in the 800m but could only manage third place on her Diamond League debut. Janeth Jepkosgei eased away from the reigning world champion, who was only recently cleared to return to competition after an investigation into doubts over her gender, to win the overall 800m title. Priscilla Lopes-Schliep (women's 100m hurdles), David Rudisha (men's 800m), Vivian Cheruiyot (women's 5,00m), Asbel Kiprop (men's 1,500m), Teddy Tamgho (men's triple jump), Yargelis Savigne (women's triple jump) also wrapped up victory in their respective events. Allyson Felix (women's 200m), Bershawn Jackson (men's 400m hurdles) and Andreas Thorkildsen (men's javelin) all won on the night having already secured overall victory.