ROME, Italy (CMC) – Jamaican Kaliese Spencer became the first woman to dip below 54 seconds in the 400 metres hurdles this year as she raced to a world-leading 53.97 seconds to win at the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea here yesterday.

The 27-year-old was never seriously threatened as she dominated the event to finish ahead of American Georganne Moline who clocked a season-best 54.56 to be second and Great Britain’s Eilidh Child who finished third in 54.82.
It was the second straight Diamond League victory for Spencer who won at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene last weekend.
However, there was another shock result for World and Olympic 100 metres champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who finished one from last, as American Tori Bowie won for the second consecutive meet.
The pint-sized Jamaican was last in Eugene last weekend and could do no better than eighth this time around in a time of 11.19 seconds.
Bowie, meanwhile, stormed to a personal best 11.05 seconds, with Jamaican Kerron Stewart second in a personal best 11.08 and her countrywoman Simone Facey, third in 11.13 seconds.
In the corresponding men’s event, American Justin Gatlin extended his domination this season with a clocking of 9.91 seconds, to beat Jamaican Nesta Carter into second in a season-best 10.02 seconds. Britain’s Adam Gemili finished third in 10.07 – also a season-best.
Veteran Kittitian sprinter Kim Collins, a former World champion, was fourth in 10.15.