Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare twice lowered the African women’s 100m record to beat a star-studded line-up at the Sainsbury Anniversary Games – IAAF Diamond League meeting in London today.
Okagbare first erased the 14 year-old mark of 10.90 secs, set by compatriot Glory Alozie (now of Spain) in La Laguna, Mexico on May 6, 1999, with a 10.86 run in the heat before posting a stunning 10.79 secs to overhaul the entire field that included the Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the final.
Okagbare thus became the first Nigerian and African woman to duck under 10.80 seconds in the women’s 100m dash.
Barbara Pierre (USA) was second in a lifetime best 10.85 secs, Kelly-Ann Baptiste (Trinidad) third in 10.93 secs with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica) fourth in 10.94 secs and Murielle Ahoure (Ivory Coast) finishing fifth in 10.95 secs.
Kenyan Augustine Kiprono Choge needed a PB of 3:50.01 to win the Emsley Carr Mile ahead of Ayanleh Souleiman of Djibouti who finished second in a national record of 3:50.07. His countryman, James Kiplagat Magut, finished third in 3:50.93.
Also Kenyan former Olympic champion Brimin Kiprop Kipruto overcame the disappointment of being dropped from the Kenyan team to Moscow to set a meeting record of 8:06.86 for victory in the men’s 3000m Steeplechase.
His countrymen Gilbert Kirui (8:06.96 PB) and Jairus Kipchoge Birech (8:12.51) finished in second and third positions respectively.
Complete Results
Results – London Anniversary Games
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Yomi is the founder of Africa's number one track and field website - AthleticsAfrica. A multi award-winning editor, journalism innovator, media trainer, sports and digital transformation consultant.
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