Schippers puts on afterburners to defend 200m title; US add two gold
LONDON: Dutch sprinter Dafne Schippers held on to retain her world 200m title on Friday as the United States had another night to savour at the London Stadium and two experienced campaigners claimed more gold.
Schippers, who won bronze in the 100m, roared off the bend into the final straight and looked as if she would coast safely home.
But the Dutchwoman began to tie up and only a savage dip at the line that saw her clock 22.05 seconds edged her past Ivorian Marie-Josee Ta Lou by just threehundredths of a second. It was Ta Lou’s second silver after her efforts in the 100m won by Tori Bowie, absent from the 200.
HARD WORK
“I fought for that,” said Schippers, who won 200m silver in the Rio Olympics. “I have worked so hard this year so I am so happy. It’s so cool. Two times in a row is very special too.
“It was very important to win. I worked so hard in the last years and last year was not the easiest for me. I changed everything and got a new coach, so I’m very happy. It’s great, especially with a gold medal, I am very pleased. My secret is enjoying the sport. I feel a little bit nervous starting out, but I’m a final runner and I’m grateful for the experience now it’s over.”
Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas, who in the space of 20 metres fell from clear leader to finish fourth in the 400m, had the consolation of claiming bronze in 22.15sec.
For all the excitement of the sprint, the most dramatic race of the evening was the women’s 3000m steeplechase. It had everything, from one of the four Kenyans actually running past the first water jump to a fall to smart tactical racing that had the crowd on their feet.
US 1-2 IN STEEPLECHASE Olympic bronze medallist Emma Coburn finished the final 150 metres strongly for a first American steeplechase gold in a championships record 9min 02.58sec, with team-mate Courtney Frerichs taking silver ahead of Kenya’s defending champion Hyvin Jepkemoi.
BOLT TAKES JAMAICA TO 4X100 RELAY FINAL
Usain Bolt’s bid to bring the curtain down on his glittering career with a 15th world gold medal remained on track as Jamaica qualified for the final of the 4x100m relay.
Bolt took the unusual step of racing the relay heats, something usually reserved for the more unheralded members of the squad. Tyquendo Tracey, Julian Forte and Michael Campbell safely negotiated the first three legs before Bolt steered his team home in a winning, season’s best of 37.95 seconds.