Brussels Grand Prix 2016

Brussels Grand Prix at high speed!

For the 8th edition the Brussels Grand Prix has reached a new milestone. Favourable weather, a fast track and above all an optimal date made it possible to have the best edition in the history of the Brussels Grand Prix.

The meeting was launched particularly well with a Belgian record. Jolien Boumkwo has indeed dethroned her coach Blondeel with 17m09 at the top of the national hierarchy. Even better, with this achievement she qualifies for the European Championships in Amsterdam.

On the 400m hurdles the Uruguayan Deborah Rodriguez was the fastest in front of European Junior Champion Nenah De Coninck who took the scalp of the Olympic Axelle Dauwens. 8 men went under 51 seconds including the “all black” Cameron French with a world time of 49.87!

Over the same distance, but without the obstacles, Frenchman Mame Ibra Anne made it in 45.90. With this time he also met the standard for the European Championships in Amsterdam.

The distance events were also popular this Sunday.  With 5 women under 2.06 with the Norwegian Eikomo in command and 10 men under 1.49, the 800m was one of the top numbers! 

Same on the 1500m, where our national Louise Carton made her comeback with a 4th place behind the Romanian Bobocea (4.11.25). Rabii Doukkana (Mar) won the 1500m in 3.40.40. The peloton followed him closely because the 11th was credited with a time of 3.42.90.

Unlike sprint legend Jay Nduré, Briton Gemili was reassured by his form and set a best season time from 20.37 to 20.43 for the Norwegian. Adam had warmed up at the start of the meeting with a 200m of 20.55.  Robin Vanderbemden (20.84) completes this rather prestigious podium!

Several 100m hurdlers were on the hunt for the European standard but unfortunately nobody could reach the standard. Already qualified, Damian Czykier (POL) tamed the obstacles admirably in 13.64, just like the Venezuelan Genesis Romero among the women in 13.19.

In the field events we sometimes thought we were in the Van Damme Memorial! The Australian Peacok planted his spear on more than 78m while Cédric Nolf came very close to the 8m with 7.83m. He defeated a great sportsmen in the person of the neo-Dutchman Gaisah (7,79). A very solid duel in the shot put between the Luxembourgian Bob Bertemes and the Englishman Scott Lincoln who turned with 19m17 against 18m84 in favor of the 1st.

A before and after program also allowed the national and regional athletes to participate in this athletics festival.

Pictures  – Results  – Video bx1

Picture credits: JF Vanwelde et T.Sisk

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