Discus star Valarie Allman breaks her own North American record at ISTAF Berlin 

Discus star Valarie Allman has made 2021 a year to remember.

While the centennial Internationales Stadionfest (ISTAF) meeting in Berlin, Germany, may have been celebrating its own birthday, the American thrower gave more cause to be jubilant.

Just when she thought her athletics season could not get any better, after becoming both a Diamond League and Olympic champion, Allman found the cherry to go on top after setting a new area record of 71.15m on her first attempt.

Not only was her debut throw of the final a meeting record but it was also a world lead throw and a new personal best.

The distance moves her into the top 20 discus throwers on the world all-time list. The only other thrower since 1993 to have cracked that list is Sandra Perkovic.

Speaking after her event the 26-year-old shared:

“Honestly, I am still processing. This stadium, the crowd, the competition was so incredible.”

“This season had so many magic moments. One think I wanted this season is to prove my best. 2021 is coming to an end and I have a PR that is so good.”

Metres behind the astonishing Allman was home favourite and Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Kristin Pudenz, who threw 64.52 and in third was, Liliana Ca of Portugal who managed 62.45 - nearly four metres off her personal and season’s best.

Lasitskene outlasts McDermott

The spotlight in the women’s high jump predictably fell on what has been one of the greatest head-to-heads in the women’s field events: Mariya Lasitskene versus Nicola McDermott.

Both maintained a clean sheet all the way up to 1.92m, the mark at which the rest of the competition bowed out, but it was McDermott who stuttered first.

The silver medallist from Tokyo needed a second attempt to clear 1.92m.

Recently crowned Diamond League champion Lasitskene then cleared the next height of 1.98m in one while McDermott struggled. After three faults the Australian was out, handing her rival first place and a chance to improve on her final height.

However following her own three misses at 2.02 the Olympic champion sealed the deal with her clearance of 1.98m.

Warholm wins once more

Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion and world record holder Karsten Warholm banked yet another win in the men’s 400m hurdles.

The unstoppable Warholm edged out Rasmus Magi of Estonia and Jamaica’s Jaheel Hyde to cross the line in 48.08.

Although some way off his personal best and record setting heights in Japan, it was enough for the Norweigan to add yet another win to his already stellar 2021 season.

Johannes Vetter continues winning form after Tokyo dip

2021 may have been a mixed bag for javelin thrower Johannes Vetter following a shock ninth place finish in Japan but the German has truly found his feet at the season’s end.

In front of a home crowd the recent Diamond League trophy winner smashed the field with an unbeatable second round 88.76m throw.

Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo beaten again

Great Britain’s Jazmin Sawyers upset Tokyo gold medallist Malaika Mihambo in the women’s long jump.

It’s the second time this week the German has failed to meet expectations after she struggled to find form during the Diamond League final in Zurich.

Coming to Berlin as the only competitor to have reached 7.00m in the pit this year, hopes were that the home favourite might rise to the occasion in front of fans.

However, her lead fifth round jump of 6.70m was immediately bettered by Sawyers who followed by putting down the best jump of the evening: 6.73m.

Sam Kendricks tops pole vault event

It was an American one-two-three in the men’s pole vault competition with Sam Kendricks getting the better of Nilsen Christopher and KC Lightfoot. Recent Asian record holder EJ Obiena finished just shy of the podium.

Corinna Schwab delighted fans when she crossed the line first in the women’s 400m ahead of Amalie Iuel and Cara Nnenya Hailey.

Nadine Visser clinched the win in the women’s 100m hurdles, with Americans Payton Chadwick and Christina Clemons following suit.

2016 Rio Olympian Kate Grace topped the field in the women’s 1500m in a new personal best time of 4:01.33.

Diamond League champion Devon Allen pipped Ronald Levy by 0.01 seconds to win the men’s 110m hurdles competition.

The women’s 3000m race was won by Felicitas Gesa Krause, who crossed the line over two seconds in front of Fancy Cherono.

Marvin Bracy was the sole runner to go sub-10 in the men’s 100m after two competitiors were forced to leave the field after false starting. In the women’s event Great Britain’s Daryll Neita emerged victorious.