Sarah Mitton 2nd at Suzhou Diamond League despite not feeling in top shot put form

Sarah Mitton delivered a more consistent performance in shot put while fellow Canadian Regan Yee inched closer to the Paris Olympic qualifying standard in steeplechase at Saturday's Diamond League track and field meeting in Suzhou, China.

Mitton led with a throw of 19.86 metres in Round 1 — her best outdoors this season — and it stood up for second place behind American rival Chase Jackson, who answered with a 20.03 toss in her second of six attempts, 20 centimetres off Gong Lijiao's 2015 meet record.

The two-time reigning Diamond League champion, Jackson topped Mitton over their final three throws. The 29-year-old was third last week 900 kilometres to the south in Xiamen, where Jackson threw 19.62 while she worked on technical changes.

"I have been working on new [things] which could have gone one way or the other [Saturday] so I'm pleased to win," said Jackson, the world's top-ranked women's pole vaulter who won a gold medal at last year's World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

I've been away from home for six weeks, so I take a lot of confidence from today. To throw 20 metres this early in the season, and it felt nice and easy, is good leading into the Olympics."

WATCH | Mitton 'really happy' with 19.86m throw in Suzhou, China:

Mitton, coming off a 19.35 performance for fourth in Xiamen, took charge early at Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre. After fouling on her second throw, she went 19.64 on her third — the best of her competitors — and surpassed 19 metres on two of her final three tries (19.25, 19.17).

A week ago, the 27-year-old from Brooklyn, N.S., threw 18.89 and 18.75 late in the competition.

"I'm really happy, considering I did not feel that great with the ball," said the world No. 2. "I had never started my [outdoor] season with a Diamond League like I did last week.

"I've really enjoyed my time in China, the people have been so welcoming and lovely."

Mitton was second at the 2023 Diamond League Final and won her first event on the circuit at the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway last June 15.

Two months ago, Mitton twice broke a Canadian record on her way to women's gold at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow.

Song Jiayuan thrilled the home crowd on Saturday, placing third (19.83) in a field of 10, one spot ahead of teammate Gong, who threw 19.61 after prevailing in Xiamen.

"I really appreciated the audience," Song said. "They encouraged me a lot. It was a bit nervous and intense for me at the beginning, but I adjusted quickly.