Schippers shocks Okagbare in London

In from Nifemi Daniel …

Reigning European 100m/200m champion, Dafne Schippers, on Saturday shocked race favourite, Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor with a National Record (NR) of 10.92s to win the 2015 Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games at the Olympic Stadium, London.

The hepthatlete-turned-sprinter had an impressive run in the heats, leading the pack in 10.99s as Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor followed closely in 11.00s. Home girl Dina Asher-Smith had earlier won Heat 1 with an NR of 10.99s, making her the first British woman to dip inside 11s.

She finished ahead of Moscow 2013 double Silver medalist, Murielle Ahouré who clocked 11.08s.

The Dutch record holder’s persistence paid off as she and the Nigerian leveled up with the rest of the field, before overtaking them just before the finishing line and shaving off 0.02s from her former mark.

The outing was not an epoch making one for Okagbare-Ighoteguonor who broke the African Record twice on her way to victory at the 2013 edition of the games. She ran a time of 10.84s in the semis before clocking a blistering 10.79s to win the final. This time around, the Nigerian finished 2nd in 10.98s as Ahoure followed in 3rd place with a time of 11.01s.

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Asher-Smith settled for 4th with 11.06s. The rest of the field comprised of five Americans namely Jeneba Tarmoh (11.10s), former Long Jump world champion Tianna Bartoletta (11.12s), Charonda Williams (11.14s), Alexandria Anderson (11.23s) and Shalonda Solomon (11.31s).

Okagbare-Ighoteguonor has posted faster times than Schippers this year, coming with a Season’s Best (SB) of 10.80s which she ran at the Paris Diamond League. The mark is just 0.01s shy of her Personal Best (PB) and puts her on No.3 in the current world rankings. She would need to go faster if she is to get to the podium in Beijing next month.

The Commonwealth 100m/200m has already secured World Championships medals in the 200m/Long Jump, and will be looking forward to adding laurels in the 100m.

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