United States team-mate Noah Lyles, meanwhile, offered continuing evidence of his status as favourite to earn the world 200 metres title later this year as he won on the newly-laid blue track here in 19.65sec, a time only he has bettered this season with his 19.50 clocking in Lausanne.

And on a great night for triple jumping, Venezuela's Yulimar Rojas produced her second successive 15 metres winning effort.

On the eve of competition, Claye had sat alongside his longtime friend and rival and reflected ruefully on the sleepless nights he had had mulling over a series of narrow defeats at the most important moments.

"I’ll sleep well tonight," Claye told insidethegames.

He had overtaken Taylor with a fourth round effort of 17.71m, but when his rival responded with a fifth round mark of 17.82m it seemed as if a familiar scenario was playing out again.

All that changed as he thundered down the runway to produce an effort that sits just a little behind the 18.14m he has already jumped this season.

"It was a great day," said Claye.

"I think I’m in a very good space right now, not just physically but my mindset.

"My grandma passed away earlier this summer and I know she’s watching over me too.

"I think I can achieve the biggest of feats.

"It’s hard to talk about a number for Doha but I want to win."

In Lyle’s wake was Turkey’s world champion Ramil Guliyev, who finished in 20.01.

Lyles is now looking like hugely likely to dispossess Guliyev of his title later this year, especially as he has simplified his running programme by deciding not to try and double up over 100m in Qatar.

"I’m coming off a loaded week in training so that gives me a lot of confidence," Lyles said.

"It felt fast - I blinked and all of a sudden the race was over.

"I’ve been putting in some great training sessions, but it’s always different when you’re over here in Europe, it’s like a hiccup to overcome in itself with the travel.

"When I was coming off the turn it felt like such a fast track, the fastest I’ve ever felt coming off the turn.  

"Looking to Doha, it’s not about going after Bolt’s record or anything like that, but when we get there we’re willing to go after any event."

Ronald Musagala dipped like a high hurdler to win a men’s 1500m race that was every bit as competitive as forecast, equalling the Ugandan record of 3min 30.58sec he set at last month’s IAAF Diamond League in Monaco. 

Sudan’s Ayanleh Souleiman was second in a season’s best of 3:30.66 ahead of the Ingebrigtsen brothers.

On this occasion it was Filip who had the better run, finishing third in 3:31.06 as reward for a tactically astute race, with his 18-year-old brother Jakob fourth in 3:31.33. 

"If I can run in Doha like I ran here, anything is possible," said Musagala.

 "My target is a medal."

Rojas, one of the most electric talents on the circuits, fizzled and flared all the way through a triple jump that she won with her second round effort of 15.05m – six centimetres shy of her best of 15.11m set in winning the Pan American Games title in Lima earlier this month.

A fourth round effort of 14.93m, from a take-off 34cm behind the board, hinted at her possibilities of approaching Inessa Kravets ‘ world record of 15.50m from the 1995 World Championships in Gotehburg.

With five men involved who had thrown 22m-plus this season, the shot put was always going to be an almighty contest. 

So it proved as New Zealand’s world champion Thomas Walsh got the party started with a meeting record of 22.44m in the first round.

In the end it the event turned out to be the Kiwi’s own personal party as he produced four consecutive efforts over 22 metres, registering 22.10m, 22.21m and 22.31m. 

As the big shots thundered at one end of the stadium, the not quite so big shots - decathletes all - gathered at the other end for the first leg of their triathlon.

Soon France’s world champion and record holder Kevin Mayer, was side-skipping in delight back up the straight after his first effort had gone out to 17.08m, a huge improvement to his personal best of 16.51m.

It proved to be a hugely profitable evening for Mayer in an event he is pitching to become a regular fixture in Diamond League meetings, as he won the long jump with 7.50m before breaking his 110m hurdles personal best of 13.60 with victory in 13.55.

"Between the two PBs (personal bets) I got tonight, the shot put is the most amazing,” Mayer said. 

"I’ve never been so happy with a performance. 

"To be honest I have never known anyone in decathlon able to throw 17 metres. 

"Now I’ve done it I am so happy I have no words. Now I can’t wait to be at Doha.”

World champion Sam Kendricks won the men’s pole vault competition with a clearance of 6.00m, while the women’s event was won in a Canadian record of 4.82m by Commonwealth Games champion Alysha Newman.