World champion Sally Pearson has fallen in the 100m hurdles at the Samsung Diamond League in Brussels (BEL) to finish second overall in the Diamond Race, as Collis Birmingham clocked 13:34.08 to finish ninth in the men’s 5000m.
 
Looking to become the first woman with a perfect 100m hurdles season since Gail Devers (USA) in 1995, Pearson got out strongly to lead at the half way point before clipping the sixth hurdle and stumbling at seven.
 
The world championships silver medallist Carruthers clocked 12.65 (+0.7) to take out the event and become Diamond League champion, as fellow Americans Yvette Lewis and Kellie Wells both clocked 12.77 before being split by the photo finish judge for second and third respectively.
 
The result is an unfortunate end to the season for Pearson who remains the toast of the athletics world after a flawless performance to win gold at the IAAF world championships earlier this month.
 
Clocking 12.53 (-0.6) to record the second fastest heat time in championships history, Pearson started fantastically in her semi-final to clock a new Australian and Oceania record of 12.36 (+0.3). Her time was equal fifth fastest of all time, a mere 0.02 seconds shy of the championship record and the fastest since Gail Devers (USA) clocked 12.33 in 2000.
 
Again starting impeccably in the final, Pearson improved the 1987 championship record of Ginka Zagorcheva (BUL) to 12.28 (+1.1). Yet another new Australian and Oceania record, her performance was the fourth best ever and the fastest time in the event since Ludmila Narozhilenko clocked 12.28 in 1992.
 
Success in Daegu came after winning the 100m, 200m and 100m hurdles crowns at the 2011 Australian Athletics Championships after an unbeaten run of 21 races, including rounds and semi-finals, across the Australian Athletics Tour.
 
Heading to Europe to continue her Daegu (KOR) build-up, Pearson won at the Lausanne Athletissima with a wind assisted 12.47 and set a then Australian record of 12.48 (+0.7) to win in Birmingham(GBR) before crossing in 12.51 (+0.9) to make it a trifecta of 2011 DiamondLeague wins in Monaco (MON).
 
Post world championships, she has taken further 100m hurdles victories at the Zurich Weltklasse (12.52, +0.2) and the IAAF World Challenge meet (12.68, -0.4) in Zagreb (SER), while in Rieti (ITA) she clocked 11.24 (-0.1) to finish second in the 100m behind Jamaican Schillonie Calvert.
 
“This result would be a disappointing for Sally but her year has still been superimpressive and a credit to her hard work and dedication,” Eric Hollingsworth, Athletics Australia High Performance Manager, said.
 
“She’s the world leader, holds a new championship, Australian and Oceania record, was unbeaten across the Australian domestic season and in Daegu she delivered a perfect performance to become the world champion.”
 
Competing in the last event on the Diamond League schedule for 2011, Birmingham’s 13:34.08 saw the Victorian finish ninth in the men’s 5000m behind eventual winner and Diamond League champion Imane Merga (ETH, 12:58.32).

Athletics Australia