Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce laid down the gauntlet in the first heat of the women’s 100m, streaking past the clutch of Ivory Coast’s Murielle Ahoure to emerge a clear winner in a fast 10.80s into a -0.2m/s wind. Ahoure who is a silver medallist from the 2013 World Championships placed 2nd in a Season’s Best of 11.05s with Gina Luckenkemper 3rd in 11.29s.
The second heat came through in similar fashion as Marie Josee Ta Lou sped past every other competitor, exerting dominance as she was timed to finish in an equal PB of 10.85s (-0.2m/s). Daryll Neita of Great Britain came through with a PB as she picked up the 2nd automatic spot in a time of 11.12s and Germany’s Tatjana Pinto 3rd in 11.19s.
Jamaican Champion, Elaine Thompson won the third heat in a time of 11.15s, just ahead of Trinidadian Kelly-Ann Baptiste who clocked 11.21s and Morolake Akinosun, narrowly behind in 11.23s. Shgarply rising Chinese athlete also clocked 11.28s for 4th place.
Briton Dina Asher-Smith also took her heat in a time of 10.96s from USA’s English Gardner who finished in 11.20s as she just edged Jonielle Smith, another Jamaican on the line.
In the 5th heat, Mujinga Kambundji came through strong for the win in a time of 11,17s, edging Chinese athlete, Xiaojing Liang by a hundredth in 11.18s. Defending World Champion, Tori Bowie of the United States was further back in 3rd as she finished in 11.30s.
Dafne Schippers who battled a bad start still managed to ward off the challenge of US Champion, Teahna Daniels, recovering well to win the final heat of the women’s 100m in 11.18s to Daniels’ 11.20s. African Games Champion, Gina Bass was 3rd in 11.25s while Imani Lara-Lansiquot also qualified with a fastest loser spot in 11.31s.
