Russell, Goule Toppin to fine-tune for Budapest

National senior women's 800 metres and 400 metres hurdles champions Natoya Goule Toppin and Janieve Russell were pleased with their second-place finishes in their respective events at yesterday's Wanda London Diamond League and will be fine-tuning for the Budapest World Championships next month.

Goule, the Diamond League leader in the women's 800 metres with 30 points, posted a season best of 1:57.60 minutes to finish behind winner Jemma Reekie of Great Britain in a season best 1:57.30 minutes.

Goule took over the lead with 110 metres left and was caught close to the finish line by the fast-finishing Reekie.

"It was a good run for me, and I am happy to get my season best. I wanted to run a bit faster, but as I turned the corner, I heard the crowd roar, which was so encouraging.

"I'll try to find a 1,500 metres between now and Budapest, but I'll only be focusing on the 800 metres at the Worlds," Goule said.

Russell has moved from strength to strength in the women's 400 metres hurdles since the National Senior Championships; three weeks ago. Yesterday, she ran gallantly for second place in 53.75 seconds, holding off the United States of America's (USA) Shamier Little, who did 53.76 seconds.

The winner was the outstanding Femke Bol of the Netherlands, who posted a world-leading and new personal best of 51.45 seconds, also a meet, Area and Diamond league record.

Russell, a likely medal contender in the event in Budapest, believes she erred, which prevented her from having a faster time.

"It was a pretty good race. I messed up towards the end, as I wanted to go faster - either 53 low or match my personal best - but my last part needs some tightening up.

"I've got a couple of weeks before the World Championships to work on it and, hopefully, come out with a personal best or a podium finish. I trust in God, He brought me here for a reason, and He has blessed me with this talent for a reason. I am just doing it by His grace," stated Russell, who added that she trusted herself and the programme.

The very busy Shericka Jackson and Hansle Parchment were also on show at the meet yesterday, with Jackson finishing third in the women's 100 metres in 10.94 seconds, behind the unbeaten Marie-Josee Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast, who won in 10.75 to equal her season best and was also a meet record. Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith took second in a season best 10.85 seconds.

Parchment had to settle for fourth in the men's 110 metres hurdles in 13.25 seconds as Grant Holloway of the USA won in 13.01 seconds.