Take a Bow

> Bowie scorches 100m, Walsh masters shot

Thompson had started well, but faded after the halfway mark, unable to find an extra gear as she has done most of the season.

Ta Lou then emerged as the clear leader but Bowie ate into her advantage and then produced the dip of her life to take the title from under the diminutive Ivorian’s nose.

In the field, Walsh was in imperial form, producing his best, 22.03 metres, with the sixth and final effort in the men’s shot.

The 25-year-old former builder edged out America’s defending champion Joe Kovacs, who posted a best of 21.66.

Croatia’s Stipe Zunic took the bronze with 21.46m whilst there was disappointment for Olympic champion Ryan Crouser, who could finish only sixth with 21.20m.

Greece’s Olympic champion Stefanidi enjoyed a compelling battle with American Sandi Morris in the pole vault.

The 27-year-old vaulted a national record of 4.91 metres for victory, failing three times at what would have been a championship record of 5.02m.

Morris, the world indoor champion and Olympic silver medallist on countback from Stefanidi in Rio last year, claimed silver with a best of 4.75m.

Cuba’s defending champion Yarisley Silva shared bronze with Robeilys Peinado of Venezuela.

Stefanidi’s feat was mirrored by Thiam, the 21-year-old Belgian doing just enough in the seventh and final event of the heptathlon, the 800m, to amass a winning total of 6,784 points, with overnight leader Carolin Schafer of Germany taking silver with 6,696. – AFP