The race could have gone any way, seeing that the reigning World and Olympic Champions, Dafne Schippers and Elaine Thompson, were part of the women’s 200m lineup at the Zurich Diamond League.
However, it was London 2017 Bronze medallist Shaunae-Miller Uibo who stole the show at the Letzigrund Stadium on Thursday evening where she came from behind to cross the finishing line in a National Record (NR) of 21.88s.
Miller-Uibo’s victory at the Zurich Diamond League would serve as a huge consolation for the Bahamian who finished 4th in the women’s 400m at the World Championships in London a fortnight ago.
Thompson followed in 2nd with a time of 22.00s while London 2017 Double Silver medallist, Marie Josee Ta Lou settled for 3rd in 22.09s, narrowly missing out on the African Record by 0.02s.
2016 Diamond Trophy winner Dafne Schippers finished 4th in 22.36s.
Meanwhile, it was an inspiring win for Great Britain’s Chijindu Ujah in the men’s 100m in Zurich. The sprinter, who has shown great promise this season, stormed to victory in a Season’s Best (SB) of 9.97s as Cote d’Ivoire’s Ben Youssef Meite also clocked the same time in 2nd.
USA’s Ronnie Baker was 3rd in 10.01s, with reigning World Champion Justin Gatlin finishing 4th in 10.04s.
Isaac Makwala was the man to beat in the men’s 400m. The Botswana athlete who has been in brilliant form this year, was miles ahead of the field, taking the win in an impressive time of 43.95s.
The 30-year old who had a championship to forget in London did his trade mark push-ups after crossing the line 1st, with USA’s duo of Gil Roberts and Vernon Norwood following in 44.54s and 45.01s respectively.
Steven Gardiner who won Silver in London, stumbled at the starting blocks and was unable to complete the race.
The women’s 100m Hurdles was a two-horse race between London 2012 Olympic Champion Sally Pearson and USA’s Sharika Nelvis, with both athletes returning a time of 12.55s.
Nevertheless, the Australian got the verdict and would be delighted at how her season has panned out, having struck GOLD at the World Championships after returning to the sport, following a horrific injury last year.
Christina Manning was 3rd with 12.67s, with former World Champion Danielle Williams finishing 4th with a time of 12.73s.
Following his disqualification for a lane infringement at the London World Championships, Kyron McMaster bounced back from the disappointment to dominate the men’s 400m Hurdles at the Zurich Diamond League.
He clocked a blazing time of 48.07s to finish ahead of newly-crowned World Champion Karsten Warholm who was inspired to a Personal Best (PB) and NR of 48.22s, whilst homeboy Kariem Hussein also clocked a PB of 48.45s in 3rd.
Former World Champion Zuzana Hejnova raced to a Season’s Best (SB) of 54.13s to win the women’s 400m Hurdles, a non-Diamond League event on the night.
She was followed by Rio 2016 Silver medallist Sara Petersen Slott (54.35, SB), and home girl Lea Sprunger who was 3rd in 54.66s.
