Dina Asher-Smith was the fastest qualifier into the women’s 200m semifinals at the ongoing 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, easily winning her heat in a time of 22.32s.
The Briton who had won a silver medal in the 100m on Sunday, ran a spectacular race to win heat, streaming past US 200m Champion, Dezerea Bryant who finished 2nd in 22.56s. Tynia Gaither was close in 3rd to seal the automatic spot in 22.57s as Jamile Samuel got a fastest loser spot in 4th place with 22.90s.
USA’s Brittany Brown ran a fabulous race from the outside of the third heat, beating double Olympic Champion, Elaine Thompson as she earned the win in a new Personal Best (PB) time of 22.33s. Thompson safely went through in 22.61s and Germany’s Lisa Marie Kwayie taking the 3rd automatic spot from that heat. Maja Mihalinec who ran a PB of 22.78s made it through as well with one of the fastest loser spots.
US Collegiate Champion, Anglerne Annelus also controlled her race well, quickly opening up a big gap ahead of other competitors and then holding on to win the 6th heat in 22.56s. Carolle Zahi was 2nd in 22.99s as Beth Dobbin picked up 3rd place in 23.14s.
Niger’s Aminatou Seyni finished very strong, running a very good final 100m as she came through to just notch the win in heat five with a new National Record (NR) of 22.58s. Tatjana Pinto did a Personal Best of 22.63s in 2nd place while Gina Bass ensured herself a spot in the semifinals as she clocked 22.67s in 3rd.
Heat 2 was a close race, even as a strong Ivet Lalova-Collio won in a time of 22.79s, leading three other athletes in qualification: Jodie Williams who was 2nd in 22.80s while a fast starting Mujinga Kambundji just placed 3rd in 22.81s with Egypt’s Hemida Basant also making it through in 22.88s.
Anthonique Strachan won heat 1 in 22.86s, away from Trinidadian Kamaria Durant and Sashalee Forbes of Jamaica in 23.08s and 23.15s respectively.
