Russia's Sergey Shubenkov after his victory in the 110m hurdles (© AFP / Getty Images)
Europe will be looking for a 1-2 finish here, courtesy of authorised neutral athlete Sergey Shubenkov, the world leader, and Pascal Martinot-Lagarde of France, the European champion.
Shubenkov, the 2015 world champion, has been the best high hurdler in the world this year, clocking sub-13 on four occasions, topped by his 12.92 world lead. He dominated the proceedings at the IAAF Diamond League final where he clocked 12.97.
Martinot-Lagarde, the French champion, produced when it mattered most this season, clocking his 13.17 season's best at the European Championships to take the upset victory. He knows the Ostrava track well after winning at the Golden Spike meeting in June.
The Americas team is solid as well, represented by US champion Devon Allen and Jamaican champion Ronald Levy. Levy raced to Commonwealth gold in April and notched wins at the Paris and London legs of the IAAF Diamond League. Allen, who has a 13.03 lifetime best set two years ago, has clocked 13.23 this season.
Antonio Alkana of South Africa, the African champion, leads his continent while Asia-Pacific brings Taioh Kanai of Japan and Ahmad Al-Molad, both of who clocked their 13.36 lifetime bests this year.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
