Who will be the kings and queens of the 200m? Will we see another American double? Will Jamaica reclaim their crown?
Day 7 – Recap
A day of outright speed at the championships today. The 4 x 100m relays would determined who would be in the finals. Keely Hodgkinson, Mary Moraa and Athing Mu would try to stake their claim to be favourite for the race and make it safely through their 800m semi finals. Finally, we would crown the men’s and women’s 200m champions. Would Lyles make it two for two? Could Sha’Carri do the same?
Day 7: Men’s 4 x 100m Heats
With the wealth of talent at the disposal of the USA relay coaches, a win would be expected. Duly, it was delivered. Coming first in the first heat with a time of 37.67, they set the tone for the others. There would be a lot of work for any nation to do to be able to take the gold from them. Good runs from Jamaica and Japan saw them take the automatic qualifying spots with France having to wait to see if their time put them in the final.
The second heat saw Italy, the Tokyo Olympic champions, take to the track to try to add World Championship gold to their cabinet. Finishing in 37.65, slightly quicker than the USA, they beat South Africa and Great Britain.
Qualifying for the final:
Italy 37.65
USA 37.67
Jamaica 37.68
Japan 37.71
South Africa 37.72
France 37.98
Great Britain 38.01
Brazil 38.19
Day 7: Women’s 4 x 100m Heats
Another clash of sprint titans in the guise of America against Jamaica would be waiting for us in the final if both teams managed to progress through their heats. First, it was the turn of the Jamaicans to test their mettle. The team sailed through with ease, 41.70, Team GB finished second in 42.33 while the Swiss took the final automatic qualifying place.
The second heat saw the other powerhouse of women’s sprinting, the USA, also sail through their heat. Close on their heels came The Ivory Coast with a time of 41.90. Next came Italy who set a national record of 42.14 to ensure their qualification.
Qualifying for the final:
USA 41.59
Jamaica 41.70
Cote D’Ivoire 41.90 (AR)
Italy 42.14 (NR)
Great Britain 42.33
Netherlands 42.53
Switzerland 42.64
Poland 42.65
Germany 42.78 (qR)
Day 7: Women’s 800m Semi Finals
With the favourites all through to the semi finals, it was time to see who would enter the final as the favourite. First out of the blocks was Keely Hodgkinson. With only two runners from each heat able to progress automatically to the final, competition was fierce. However, Hodgkinson managed to keep her nerve and took first position in her heat with a time of 1:58.48. Nia Akins set a PB of 1:58.61 to take the second big Q. Heat 2 saw easy passage for Jemma Reekie and Raevyn Rogers who took the top two spots.
Finally, we had Mary Moraa facing off against Athing Mu. Unsurprisingly, this turned out to be the fastest head of the evening. Moraa took the win in 1.58.48 with Mu in second with 1:58.78. The big three of the women’s 800 all in the final. How would the medals be shared?
Qualifying for the final:
Mary Moraa 1:58.48
Keely Hodgkinson 1:58.48
Nia Akins 1:58.61 (PB)
Athing Mu 1:58.78
Halimah Nakaayi 1:58.89
Adelle Tracey 1:58.99 (PB)
Day 7: Women’s 200m Final
The main events of the evening began with the women’s 200m. Richardson starting in lane 9, where she won the 100m gold. All eyes were split between her and Shericka Jackson. Would the American make it a double gold? Would Jackson have her revenge?
All questions were swiftly answered. 21.41 seconds later, a championship record, Shericka Jackson blazed over the line. The battle for silver and bronze was an all American affair. Gabby Thomas edging out Richardson to take the silver. Sha’Carri took bronze in 21.92, a new personal best.
Podium:
Shericka Jackson 21.41 (CR)
Gabrielle Thoimas 21.81
Sha’Carri Richardson 21.92 (PB)
Day 7: Men’s 200m Final
The last action of the day was the men’s 200m. Following on from his victory in the 100, Noah Lyles was filled with confidence and hunting for a second gold. From the start, Lyles confidence was well placed. Finishing nearly two tenths ahead of Erriyon Knighton, he took his second gold of the championships and cemented his place as the top dog of the sprinting world.
Third place went to Letsile Tobogo, the rising star of the sprint world who has made a real mark this past year.
Podium:
Noah Lyles 19.52
Erriyon Knighton 19.75
Letsile Tobogo 19.81
