Sifan Hassan doubled up, Jakob Ingebrigtsen broke an Olympic record and Neeraj Chopra made history for India on the final Saturday at Tokyo 2020.
On the last night of athletics inside the Olympic Stadium there was plenty of reason to celebrate with the United States rounding out the track events in the Japanese capital in style in the 4x400m relays.
Here's a round-up from all the action.
HASSAN AT THE DOUBLE
Hassan came into these Games attempting an unprecedented 1500, 5000 and 10,000m treble.
Ultimately, she fell narrowly short after taking bronze in the shortest distance on Friday but the Dutchwoman doubled up with a fantastic win in the 10,000m.
Letesenbet Gidey led for much of the race, with Hassan and Kalkidan Gezahegne making it a three-way tussle. The former fell away on the final bend as Hassan – who is the second woman to win three medals in individual distance events at a single Games – sprinted to the line to come home in a time of 29:55.32.
In the women's marathon Peres Jepchirchir led home a Kenya one-two, a first for the women's event in Olympic competition, in stifling morning conditions. World record holder Brigid Kosgei had to settle for silver and Molly Seidel of the United States completed the podium.
THERE'S NOR-WAY TO BEAT NEW OLYMPIC-RECORD HOLDER JAKOB
In a thrilling men's 1500m race, Ingebrigtsen finally defeated Timothy Cheruiyot in their 13th career competitive meeting.
To do so, the Norwegian had to run a European and Olympic record time of 3:28.32, with Cheruiyot just holding off Josh Kerr to take silver.
Kerr and the three athletes to follow him all ran PBs, while the first seven men all finished inside the pre-2021 Olympic record time of 3:32.07.
CHOPRA BREAKS NEW GROUND FOR INDIA
Prior to this final evening of competition in the Olympic Stadium, India had never won an athletics gold.
All that changed thanks to Chopra, who took out the men's javelin thanks to a second-round throw of 87.58m.
In a huge shock, overwhelming favourite Johannes Vetter did not even make the cut for the final three throws and finished ninth.
Czech duo Jakub Vadlejch (86.67m) and Vitezslav Vesely rounded out the podium.
Mariya Lasitskene of the Russian Olympic Committee won a thriller in the women's high jump, clearing 2.04m on her second attempt.
Nicola McDermott, with a new PB and Oceanic record of 2.02m claimed silver, and Ukraine's Yaroslava Mahuchikh cleared the same height but took bronze having dislodged the bar first time around.
USA DOMINATE 4x400m RELAYS
As is tradition at an Olympics, the 4x400m relays closed the show. First up were the woman and the United States quartet wowed with a 3:16.85 – the fifth fastest in history and quickest since 1993.
Sydney McLaughlin and Athing Mu consequently won second golds of the Games, while Allyson Felix extended her record of most track and field medals for a female athlete to 11. The teams from Poland and Jamaica were second and third.
The men were just as dominant in the final track event of the night as the quartet of Michael Cherry, Michael Norman, Bryce Deadmon and Rai Benjamin ran home in 2:55.70 to beat the Netherlands and Botswana.
Lyles to headline Racers Grand Prix at National Stadium on June 1
Much like he did last year, American Noah Lyles, could set this year's sixth staging of the Racers Grand Prix alight, as he is expected to be among a host of world class superstars to grace the National Stadium on June 1.
Lyles, who clocked a superb 19.67s to win the 200m, sharing the spotlight with Jamaica's Shericka Jackson and South African Wayde Van Niekerk last year, could line up in the men’s 100m on this occasion.
Along with Lyles, rising Jamaican sensation Oblique Seville is also said to be in line to contest the explosive 100m.
Also expected to be in action are World University champion Kadrian Goldson, World Championships bronze medallist Zharnel Hughes, Canadian Aaron Brown and American Kendal Williams.
The announcement was made at the event's launch which is currently ongoing at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.
Williams, Charlton, Tapper to line up in 100m hurdles at Xiamen Diamond League
Track & Field fans around the world will be treated to an exciting clash in the women’s 100m hurdles at the season’s opening Diamond League meet in Xiamen on Saturday.
Jamaica’s two-time World champion, Danielle Williams, will take on newly crowned World Indoor 60m champion and record holder, Devynne Charlton, as well as 2021 Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper.
World record holder Tobi Amusan and reigning Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn are also set to line up on Saturday along with Americans Alaysha Johnson and Masai Russell.
The field is completed by Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, 2022 World Indoor champion Cyrena Samba-Mayela and China’s Yanni Wu.
Reigning Olympic champion Hansle Parchment will compete alongside countryman Orlando Bennett in the 110mm hurdles.
Bajan two-time World Championship bronze medallist Sada Williams will line up in the 400m alongside Guyana’s Aliyah Abrams.
Bahamian Anthonique Strachan will take on some of the world’s best in the 200m.
Finally, Jamaica’s World Indoor 60m bronze medallist Ackeem Blake, 2011 World 100m champion Yohan Blake and reigning national 100m champion Rohan Watson will all line up in the 100m against a stacked field including the likes of American world champions Christian Coleman and Fred Kerley.
Stona's lifetime best overshadowed by Alekna's record-breaking performance at OK Throws Series
Jamaica's Roje Stona delivered a stunning personal best throw of 69.05 meters in the men's discus at the Ok Throws Series held at Millican Field in Throw Town, Oklahoma on Sunday. However, his exceptional performance was eclipsed by the remarkable display of Mykolas Alekna, who shattered a nearly 40-year-old world record in a truly historic feat. It was the oldest world record in men's athletics.
Stona's massive throw would have secured him victory in the competition on most other days, but it was Alekna who stole the show with an extraordinary series of throws, all surpassing the 70m mark. Alekna's fifth throw, measuring an astonishing 74.41m, broke the longstanding world record of 74.08m set by Jurgen Schult of East Germany in 1986.
Alekna, the son of two-time Olympic champion Virgilijus Alekna, demonstrated exceptional consistency and power throughout the event, recording throws of 72.21m, 70.32m, 72.89m, 70.51m, 74.41m, and 70.50m in what could be described as one of the most impressive series in the history of discus throwing.
Meanwhile, Roje Stona showcased his talent with a series of impressive throws following his outstanding opening mark. Despite fouling his second attempt, Stona maintained his form with throws of 65.46m, 65.34m, 68.05m, and 67.88m, highlighting his potential in the field.
Mika Sosna claimed the third spot with his best effort of 68.96m, while Alex Rose registered five throws over 66m but settled for fourth place with a top throw of 68.20m.
Although Stona's personal best marked a significant achievement in his career, the day belonged to Mykolas Alekna, whose record-breaking performance captivated audiences and left an indelible mark on discus throwing. Alekna's monumental achievement will undoubtedly be remembered as a defining moment in athletic history.
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