JUST days after ending a hugely successful campaign at the 18th Asian Games, Bahraini sprinter Salwa Eid Naser went back to work and clinched this year’s Diamond League title in the Women’s 400 metres after winning the same race in the season’s final meeting in Brussels last night.
Salwa clinched the victory in a scintillating 49.33 seconds, close to her personal best of the season and Asian Record 49.08s.
She finished ahead of top rival Phyllis Francis of the US who had a time of 50.51s and her fellow-American Shakima Wimbley who had crossed the finish in 50.77s.
“My goal this season was to win the Diamond League Trophy and I did it,” said Salwa, whose win in Brussels was her sixth on this year’s Diamond League series.
“I wanted to go fast and even to run a personal best,but I just flew in today from Jakarta and I felt a litte jetlaged. But I’m very pleased with my time of 49.33. It’s been a good season and this victory makes it complete.”
Also yesterday, Bahrain’s Winfred Yuvi was ninth in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase in nine minutes 14.52 seconds.
Taking first place and leading a Kenayan trio to the finish was Beatrice Chepkoech who clocked a meeting record of 8:55.10. Norah Jeruto was the runner-up in 8:59.62, while Hyvin Kiyeng claimed third in 9:01.60.
Salwa and Winfred were the only two Bahrainis competing in Brussels.