The women’s 200 meters semi-finals have proved that the world is in for a firecracker final as five of the eight finalists recorded a sub-22 clocking on day 5 of the Oregon 2022 World Athletics Championships.
Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson advanced with the fastest qualifying time, recording an impressive 21.67 seconds to take the victory in semi-final one. Her time is just three-hundredths of a second off the championship record of 21.63 set by Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands at the 2015 Beijing World Championships.
In addition, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who claimed the gold medal at the 2013 Moscow World Championships, bolted to 21.82 to fend off rising sprint sensations of Abby Steiner of the United States (22.15) and Favour Ofili of Nigeria (22.30).
However, the double Olympic champion, Elaine Thomspon-Herah advanced as a result of a non-automatic qualification after finishing third in heat two in a time of 21.97.
The final of the women’s 200 meters will also include the defending champion Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain, the American pair of Steiner and Tamara Clark, Niger’s Aminatou Seyni and Mujinga Kambundji of Switzerland.
In the men’s 200m, Yohan Blake withdrew because of a swollen Achilles, while Rasheed Dwyer, who injured him hamstring in the first round, finished 8th in 20.87. Noah Lyles with 19.62 and Erriyon Knighton, 19.77 are the top two qualifiers for Thursday’s final.
Meanwhile, in the final of the men’s 400-meter hurdles, national champion Jaheel Hyde had to contend with one of the most competitive lineups in World Championships history, crossing the line in sixth position in a lifetime best of 48.03 seconds.
The event was won by Alison dos Santos of Brazil, who set a new championship record of 46.29. He crossed the line ahead of the USA’s Rai Benjamin, who ran a season’s best time of 46.89 while his fellow countryman Trevor Bassitt clocked a personal best of 47.39 to claim the bronze medal.
Meanwhile, in the final of the men’s 400-meter hurdles, national champion Jaheel Hyde had to contend with one of the most competitive lineups in World Championships history, crossing the line in sixth position in a lifetime best of 48.03 seconds. The event was won by Alison dos Santos of Brazil, who set a new championship record of 46.29. He crossed the line ahead of the USA’s Rai Benjamin, who ran a season’s best time of 46.89 while his fellow countryman Trevor Bassitt clocked a personal best of 47.39 to claim the bronze medal.
Additional events contested on Day 5 of the Oregon World Championships.
Men’s Discus Throw Final: 2019 Doha World Championships silver medalist Fedrick Dacres recorded a best throw of 64.85 meters to finish ninth in the event. Meanwhile, national champion Traves Smikle threw a best effort of 62.23 meters for the twelfth spot. The event was won by Kristjan Čeh of Slovenia in a championship record of 71.13 meters.
Men’s 200M: 2014 Commonwealth Games champion Rasheed Dwyer failed to advance to the final of the men’s 200 meters after finishing eighth in semi-final three in 20.87 seconds. Unfortunately, the second fastest man of all time over the event, Yohan Blake, was declared a non-starter as he withdrew from his semi-final due to a swollen right foot. This is the first time in over a decade that no Jamaican contests the final of the men’s 200 meters.
Women’s High Jump Final: National record holder Lamara Distin had to settle for a ninth-place finish with a clearance of 1.93 meters. Meanwhile, the seven-time national champion, Kimberly Williamson, finished eleventh with a best effort of 1.89. The final of the event was won by Eleanor Patterson of Australia in a new area record of 2.02 meters.
Women’s 400M Hurdles- 2014 Gold Coast Commonwealth champion, Janieve Russell, will lead the Jamaican women into the semi-finals of the 400-metre hurdles. Russell won her heat in 54.52. Meanwhile, Shiann Salmon finished second in heat four in 54.91, while 2019 Doha World Championships bronze medalist, Rushell Clayton, had to settle for the fourth automatic spot in 54.99 in heat five.
