The three fastest men in the field confirmed their medal ambitions by winning their respective heats: France s world leader Dimitri Bascou, 2014 world indoor silver medallist Pascal Martinot-Lagarde and Jamaica s Omar McLeod.

Barring an injury, Aston Eaton looks certain to secure his third successive world indoor title after the American world record holder cleared a best of 5.10m in the heptathlon pole vault on Saturday afternoon.

With six spots available for seven teams, the top teams secured their presence in Sunday s 4x400m final, including defending champions the United States.

Yulimar Rojas only got in one valid jump but it was all that was needed for the Spain-based jumper, coached by Cuban long jump great Ivan Pedroso, to get Venezuela s first senior global title.

Windy and cold weather conditions in the Slovak spa city of Dudince welcomed the race walkers at the 35th edition of the Dudinska 50, an IAAF Race Walking Challenge meeting, on Saturday (19).

US champion Barbara Pierre had a flawless start to her 60m campaign, rocketing from the blocks in the final heat and powering down the track to win in 7.07, the fastest of all qualifiers.