although he may need stronger
competition than here to spur him
on to beat Kevin Young’s 46.78.
World junior record-holder
Sydney McLaughlin heads the
women’s event, with Olympic
and world champion Dalilah
Muhammad challenging. Kori Carter
goes in the 200m instead, knowing
she has a bye for selection as
defending champion.
In a repeat of the NCAAs, Grant
Holloway and Daniel Roberts battle
over 110m hurdles. In the women’s
100m hurdles, world record-holder
Kendra Harrison takes on Olympic
champion Brianna McNeal and
NCAA runner-up Chanel Brissett.
New world junior record-holder
(10.75), Sha’Carri Richardson looks
to do the NCAA/USATF double over
100m. In the 200m she is set for
another close battle with collegiate
champion Angie Annelus, who ran
a winning 22.16 there. World 100m
champion Tori Bowie is entered for
both sprints. World 400m champion
Phyllis Francis opts for the half-lap
as her selection in her main event
is already in the bag.The men’s triple jump should
see a great match-up between
Will Claye, who leads the world
rankings with 18.14m, and Olympic
and world champion Christian
Taylor.
Claye will also attempt to win
the long jump, where Olympic
champion Jeff Henderson is looking
for better form than of late. In the
women’s jumps, four-time world
long jump champion Brittney Reese
could be challenged by triple jump
favourite Keturah Orji.
The in-form world champion
Sam Kendricks goes in the pole
vault, where Christopher Nilsen is
expected to offer the main threat.
The women’s event should be more
open as world No.1 Jenn Suhr, world
indoor champion Sandi Morris
and Katie Nageotte, who won in
Lausanne, square off.
After her recent return to form,
former world indoor champion
Vashti Cunningham should be a
class apart in the high jump.
World champion Emma Coburn
lines up her event with London 2017
silver medallist Courtney Frerichsand Colleen Quigley. However, due
to a foot injury, Evan Jager will not
be going for an eighth straight US
title.
Shelby Houlihan will defend her
1500m title against former world
champion Jenny Simpson.
In the men’s 800m, Donavan
Brazier is quickest this year as
Olympic bronze medallist Clayton
Murphy looks to challenge. Ajee
Wilson will be favourite in the
women’s two-lap race.
In the throws, Ryan Crouser, who
earlier this year produced the best
shot put in 29 years, and Chase
Ealey, who won a Diamond League
fixture this year, star in the shot
circle. Deanna Price and Brooke
Andersen go head to head in the
women’s hammer, while Valarie
Allman will be favourite in the
discus.
In the longer distances, Emily
Sisson and Molly Huddle meet
over 10,000m, as Olympic bronze
medallist Paul Chelimo headlines
the 5000m.
The event will also be used as
the basis for selection for the
Europe v USA match in Belarus
and Thorpe Cup combined events
match in Germany in September.ARGUABLY the best-standard
championships after the Olympics
and Worlds will again be high-
calibre thanks to the cut-throat
selection procedure of which they
form a part.
The first three athletes in every
event will win selection provided
they have gained the IAAF qualifying
standard by this weekend. Such
is the depth of standard in the
world’s No.1 athletics nation that this
means podium placings in most
events will be crucial.
Noah Lyles, who produced a
stunning 19.50 200m earlier this
month, will compete only in that
event despite being world ranked
No.2 in the 100m. However, Christian
Coleman, who leads the world
rankings in the short sprint, will be
going for the double. Over 100m,
world champion Justin Gatlin
will be his main opposition, while
Cravon Gillespie, who was second
at the NCAAs with 9.93, will also be
one to watch.
Michael Norman hinted at 2019
being a world record year with his
43.45 in April and is the standout in
the men’s 400m. The top two at the
NCAAs, Kahmari Montgomery and
Trevor Stewart, plus Fred Kerley, will
be chasing.
Perhaps more likely to threaten
the world record is Rai Benjamin
in the 400m hurdles. The world
No.1 has clocked 47.16 this season,
@ATHLETICSWEEKLY
TOYOTA USATF OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS, DES MOINES, IOWA, JULY 25-28
US trials for Doha
What’s on TV
■Monday July 29
7.30am – One Night in Tokyo – a look
back to Carl Lewis vs Mike Powell at
the 1991 World Champs, Sky Sports
Action HD
8.00am – Weight of a Nation – Cathy
Freeman’s Sydney 2000 victory over
400m, Sky Sports Arena
■Saturday August 10
2.30-7.00pm – European Team
Championships, Bydgoszcz, BBC2
■Sunday August 11
1.30-6.00pm – European Team
Championships, Bydgoszcz, BBC2
Times subject to changeSha’Carri Richardson:
NCAA championRyan Crouser:
great form in
2019 so farMARK SHEARMANKIRBY LEE