Dafne Schippers produced a Championship performance when it mattered most, blazing through to retain her 200m World title with a Season’s Best (SB) of 22.05s in London.
Being the last event of Day 8, it produced the kind of excitement expected from a final, as Schippers had to dig in deep to hold off a surging Marie Josee Ta Lou, securing the win to make her the third woman in history to retain the 200m title.
Ta Lou continued with her impressive form in this championship, quickly closing in on Shaunae Miller-Uibo who was in front of her and mounting enormous pressure on Schippers into the home straight.
However, the Ivorian settled for Silver with a new National Record (NR) of 22.08s, narrowly missing the African Record of 22.07s set by Mary Onyali 21 years ago at the Zurich Diamond League.
Meanwhile, Miller-Uibo finally got on the podium and would have something to cheer about, as she finished 3rd in the race, clocking a time of 22.15s.
“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,” Schippers said on retaining her title.
“It’s great, especially with a gold medal, I am very pleased. My secret is enjoying the sport and enjoying my racing. 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” she added.
Ta Lou on her part revealed that she was injured coming into the championships, but that she’s happy to leave with two Silver medals, adding that she hopes to have inspired a lot of girls in Ivory Coast.
“Another silver but I am so happy. At the camp before these championships I felt a problem in my legs but I didn’t want to tell my coach. I prayed that I would be ok and I have been,” Ta Lou said after the race
“I did all I could in that race. To get a silver medal is more than I could have asked for. I am so grateful for having a championships like this. It has been a special week for me.
“I am very proud of both medals. I hope I have inspired a lot of girls back in the Ivory Coast.”
