ENDORSEMENTS

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce scored a most convincing victory in the w200 to complete her WC 100/200 sprint double. In capturing her 4th world championship gold medal – to accompany her two individual Olympic golds – Jamaica’s pocket rocket further burnished her legacy as one of the greatest championship sprint racers of all time.

The rounds produced no real surprises and further suggested that a much-anticipated finals showdown between SAFP and defending world and Olympic 200 meter champion Allyson Felix was likely. The first round varied little from the form chart as no surprising early exits emerged. In the semis, Fraser-Pryce [22.54], Murielle Ahoure [22.46], and Blessing Okagbare [22.39] all advanced comfortably. Felix – with the best semi-final time of 22.30 – was joined by time-qualifying teammates Jeneba Tarmoh and ChaRonda Williams in advancing to the final. Kimberlyn Duncan – the 4th American w200 entrant – was a semi-final casualty.

The final didn’t serve up the long-awaited battle between Felix and SAFP, but instead was a stunning showcase of Fraser-Pryce’s current dominance of this event. With her customary responsive start, the Jamaican drive-phase queen powered around the curve. Injured moments after the start, Felix lay motionless on the track as Fraser-Pryce – having forged a commanding lead – entered the home straight on her way to a 22.17 win, a notable .15 second margin of victory, and her second individual gold medal of these championships.

The real battle was for the other medals. In a stirring homestretch war, Ahoure had just enough to hold off a fast-closing Okagbare for the silver. Ahoure’s better lean at the line was the difference as both athletes clocked 22.32. With Felix down and out, the other Americans never threatened to gain the podium – Tarmoh [22.78] finishing 5th and Williams [22.81] following closely in 6th.