BEIJING, China – Elaine Thompson and Dafne Schippers both cruised into the final of the women’s 200m after smooth runs in their respective semi-finals at the World Championships in Beijing, on Thursday.
Thompson, the Jamaican champion, who was held out of the 100m by her coach Stephen Francis, despite running 10.84 seconds this season, eased to victory in the first semi-final in a time of 22.13 seconds – cementing herself as one of the favourites for the gold medal.
Finishing second to Thompson in that semis was American Candyce McGrone, who clocked 22.26, with Bulgaria’s Ivet Lalova-Collio ran a personal best of 22.32 to make the final as well.
Schippers, the 100m silver medallist behind Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, also cruised into the final with an effortless display that produced a time of 22.36 seconds.
The European champion from the Netherlands shut things down after coming off the corner, as she never got out of first gear.
Jamaica’s Sherone Simpson finished second to Schippers in 22.53 and she too earned a place into the decider.
However, running the quickest time of the semi-final was Great Britain teenager Dina Asher-Smith, who powered home to 22.12 seconds on her way to taking semi-final three.
Asher-Smith had to use more energy to fend off her more experienced challenger – American Jeneba Tarmoh and Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica – but did the work needed to book her place in the final.
Tarmoh ran 22.38 for second place and Campbell-Brown posted 22.47 for third place and qualified as one of the fastest losers.
