Pearson back and in form

– Australia’s 2012 Olympic champion Sally Pearson’s bid to put behind her two years of injury hell got off to a good start yesterday as she coasted into the 100 metres hurdles semifinals.

The 30-year-old – the 2011 world champion – missed both the 2015 world championships and 2016 Olympics because of serious injuries, losing out on the former after suffering a “bone explosion” in her wrist in a fall at a meet.

The perils of this event were evident in the heats when Trinidadian Deborah John crashed into the fifth obstacle requiring medical attention and being stretchered off the track.

Pearson (above) dominated her heat to take it in 12.71sec from America’s 2008 Olympic champion Dawn Harper-Nelson.

US world record holder Kendra Harrison looked good in her heat and was never challenged, winning in 12.60sec with Belarus 2015 world bronze medallist Alina Talay edging former Jamaican youth champion Yanique Thompson into third place.

Defending champion Danielle Williams looked silky smooth in her heat, the Jamaican gliding over the hurdles to win in 12.66sec ahead of promising German champion Pamela Dutkiewicz.

Jamaica look to have a strong hand in the event and national champion Megan Simmonds eased home in 12.78sec ahead of America’s Olympic silver medallist Nia Ali. – AFP