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≡ WORLD LEADS ALL OVER ≡
The winds kept blowing at the Oklahoma Throws Series World Invitational in Ramona, Oklahoma, with world leads coming in two Saturday events, led by Olympic and World Champion Valarie Sion of the U.S.
After seeing her 30-meet win streak stopped on Friday, she exploded with a world-leading 71.00 m (232-11), then boomed her third throw way out to 73.10 m (239-10), the no. 2 throw in U.S. history! Her first-round throw now ranks as the sixth-longest ever by an American.
Worlds silver winner Jorinde van Klinken (NED) was second at 70.99 m (232-11), now no. 21 all-time and her third throw in her series over 70 m!
The second world lead of the day was in the women’s shot, where World Indoor champ Chase Jackson won at 20.13 m (66-0 1/2) in round three.
World Indoor bronze winner Roger Steen won the men’s shot at 21.77 m (71-5 1/4) to move to no. 2 on the 2026 year list, ahead of Paris 2024 bronzer Rajindra Campbell (JAM: 20.75 m/68-1). The men’s discus was great, but not quite as spectacular as on Thursday; Australia’s Matt Denny won again, this time at 73.58 m (241-5) on his final throw! He needed that to overtake German Steven Richter, who was the leader at 72.47 m (237-9) from round four. New American Record man Sam Mattis of the U.S. was fifth at 69.75 m (228-10).
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Australian teen Gout Gout had the breakout race many have been waiting for, winning the Australian Championships 200 m in a blazing – and world-leading – 19.67 (wind: +1.7 m/s) in Sydney, ahead of Aidan Murphy (19.88 lifetime best).
The 18-year-old Gout’s time is a world U-20 record, eclipsing the 19.69 from Erriyon Knighton of the U.S. in 2022. Gout is now no. 16 all-time
There were two more world-leading marks at the meet, with fellow teen Cam Myers (19) winning the men’s 1,500 m in 3:29.85 and then taking the 5,000 m in a lifetime best 13:11.66!
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The USATF 10-Mile nationals was held at the annual Cherry Blossom race in Washington, D.C., with ex-TCU star Graydon Morris winning the men’s race in a rout in 46:18, with Cole Sprout (46:35) and Aidan Reed (46:38) well back. Morris broke away in the final half-mile for the big margin.
The star-studded women’s race was a similarly-styled win for 2025 third-placer Emma Grace Hurley in a final duel with 2025 U.S. cross-country champ Weini Kelati, 50:42 to 50:46, with Karissa Schweizer third (50:55). Those three were at the front from the start, with Hurley taking over for good in the final half-mile.
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At the World Athletics World Race Walking Team Championships in Brasilia (BRA), Japan’s 2025 World 35 km bronze winner Hayato Katsuki was a clear winner in the men’s marathon in 3:04:58, ahead of David Hurtado (ECU: 3:05:57) and Kazuya Iwai (JPN: 3:06:03). Bricyn Healey of the U.S. was 46th (3:48:15).
Italian Francesco Fortunato won the half-marathon in 1:27:25 in a close finish with Misgana Wakuma (ETH: 1:27:33) and Brazil’s 2025 World 20 km champ Caio Bonfim (1:27:36). Nick Christie of the U.S. was 39th (1:35:36).
Ecuador’s 2025 World 35 km bronzer Paula Torres took the women’s marathon in 3:24:37, an easy winner with Italian Sofia Fiorini second (3:25:42) and fellow Ecuadorian Nathaly Leon (3:31.47) in third. Maria Michta-Coffey was the top American in 16th (3:52:38). Ecuador won the team title from Italy, 12-13.
Peru’s 2022 double World Champion Kimberly Garcia dominated the women’s half, winning in 1:35:00, ahead of Alejandra Ortega (MEX: 1:35:21) and Aldara Meilan (ESP: 1:35:38). Lauren Harris of the U.S. was 13th (1:39:28). Ukraine was the team winner with 25 points to 28 for Spain and 30 for Australia.
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