Canada's Sarah Mitton snares shot put victory at Oslo Diamond League
Andre De Grasse places 5th in men's 200m with season-best time
Canada's Sarah Mitton won the women's shot put event on Thursday at the Oslo Diamond League track and field meet.
Mitton, from Brooklyn, N.S., sent her first throw 19.54 metres, a distance that held up for a close victory over American Maggie Ewen (19.52).
"I knew we had a really solid field of throwers today so I just wanted to make sure that my first throw counts," Mitton said. "I came with a big energy and it worked."
Mitton cleared the 19-metre mark with her second throw of 19.52 as well as her sixth and final throw of 19.01. Her season best is 19.58 and personal best is 20.33.
"I did not really hit my first throw," she said. "I know it is a stepping stone to bigger throws I have in me. I was still pushing for more. But the more you push, the less far you throw.
"It was a little bit of a relief when nobody beat me in the final. It is not fun to go first in the final three."
Jamaica's Danniel Thomas-Dodd was third (19.44).
WATCH | Mitton wins shot put:
De Grasse posts season's best in 200
Meanwhile, Andre De Grasse posted a season-best time of 20.33 seconds in the 200 metres, placing fifth. His previous mark of 20.35 was set at the season opener in early May.
Still, both times are better than any of the wind-legal races from 2022 when the Markham, Ont., native battled COVID-19 and a big toe injury.
Coach John Coghlan told CBC Sports earlier in the week he was just hoping for progress from De Grasse.
"I think he can improve on his season's best and use it as a stepping stone. He's not in peak shape by any means but moving in the right direction," Coghlan said.
WATCH | De Grasse 5th in men's 200:
By those standards, it was mission accomplished. Still, De Grasse, the reigning Olympic champion in the distance, lagged well behind American Erriyon Knighton, who took top spot in 19.77 seconds. Cuba's Reynier Mena was second in 20.09 seconds, while Joseph Fahnbulleh of Liberia stopped the clock in 20.23 seconds for third place.
Knighton's time overtook Usain Bolt's meeting record:
"I want to make a name for myself at the Diamond League and to be remembered going forward as the meeting record holder," Knighton said.
In men's hammer throw, which is a non-official event, Ethan Katzberg of Nanaimo, B.C., placed third with a toss of 77.93 metres.
Katzberg, who recently competed four times in eight days, owns five wins across competitions on the season.
Toronto's Gabriela Debues-Stafford placed last 14 of competitors in the women's mile with a time of four minutes 32.59 seconds.
Watch highlights and analysis from Oslo on CBC-TV, CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem and the CBC Sports app on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.
The Diamond League season picks up again on June 30 from Lausanne, Switzerland.
With files from CBC Sports
