Cote d’Ivoire’s Murielle Ahouré has emerged African Record holder in the women’s 100m after racing to a scorching World Lead (WL) of 10.78s to win the Star Athletics Pro Meet in Montverde, Florida on Saturday, June 11.
The Moscow 2013 double Silver medallist had initially clocked a wind-aided time of 10.80s (2.1m/s) in the heats, before bettering Blessing Okagbare’s former record by 0.01s.
Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown followed in 10.83s, and Joanna Atkins 3rd in 11.09s. Ahouré’s former Personal Best (PB) was 10.81s, set in 2015. With this new mark, the reigning African Champion over 200m has now displaced USA’s Tori Bowie (10.80s) as World Leader.
Nigeria’s Okagbare had set the former African Record at the 2013 London Anniversary Games where she first posted a new record of 10.86s in the heats, smashing Glory Alozie’s former record of 10.90s, before lowering the mark to 10.79s in the final.
The Commonwealth Games Record holder over 100m now has a huge fight on her hands if she is to reclaim her former spot, and it will be interesting to see the pair re-kindle their rivalry at this month’s African Championships in Durban, South Africa.
Meanwhile World Youth Champion Candace Hill won the women’s 200m at the Florida meet in 22.38s, finishing ahead of Shalonda Solomon (22.59s) and Jamaica’s Kerron Stewart (22.69s).
USA’s Marvin Bracy took the men’s 100m title in an impressive time of 9.94s, as Canada’s Aaron Brown (10.01s) and Clayton Vaughn (10.02s) followed in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Tyson Gay was the man to beat in the 200m as he clocked 20.21s, while Justin Walker followed in 20.26s.
