LaShawn Merritt clocked the fastest 200m time of the year, while Brianna Rollins scored a stunning victory in the 100m hurdles at the US Olympic track and field trials on Friday.
Merritt, the 2008 Olympics 400m champion, roared into the 200m final with a blistering time of 19.74 seconds, more than 0.2 seconds quicker than his nearest rival, Ameer Webb.
It was a devastating display of sprinting from Merritt, who insists that he remains undecided about whether to pursue a 400m-200m double at next month’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Photo: James Lang-USA TODAY
“I’m not sure yet, I’m just trying to take it a race at time. I don’t like to think too far ahead,” Merritt said when asked about his Olympic plans.
Merritt was joined in the final by both Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay.
Gatlin finished his semi-final in second place with a time of 20.23 seconds, trailing teenager Michael Norman in 20.21 seconds.
Photo: AFP
The drama on a rainswept day at Hayward Field came in the women’s 100m hurdles, where 2013 world champion Rollins scored a superb victory in 12.34 seconds.
Kristi Castlin finished second, with Nia Ali third.
“I knew I was ready, I just wanted to come out here and do the best race I can, and I managed to execute that,” Rollins said.
Photo: AFP
Keni Harrison, the fastest woman in the world this year in the event, finished in sixth spot and missed out on a place in Rio.
Harrison’s finish outside the qualifying spots reflects the ferocious depth of competition in the event among US hurdlers, who have monopolized this season’s top-10 times.
Former Olympic champion Dawn Harper-Nelson joined Harrison among the casualties after failing to reach the final.
The 32-year-old 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medalist and London silver medalist was left in shock by her elimination.
“Honestly right now I’m in complete disbelief,” she told reporters. “Tears are gonna come, but right now I’m in shock. I’m going to go through anger, more disbelief, frustration, confusion. I just don’t believe it.”
Elsewhere, Allyson Felix launched her bid for the 200m with a comfortable victory in her opening heat.
It was the first time the reigning Olympic 200m champion has run the distance this year and the 30-year-old was pleased to coast home in 22.93 seconds.
“It felt good, it felt comfortable,” said Felix, who won the 400m on Sunday last week. “It’s been a long time.”
Felix, the reigning world 400m champion, is bidding to become only the third woman to win both the 400m and 200m at the same Olympics.
Felix was to race in the semi-finals of the 200m yesterday, with the final today.
Aries Merritt advanced in the 110m hurdles as he aims to qualify for Rio less than a year after undergoing a kidney transplant.
Aries Merritt, the reigning Olympic champion and world record holder, finished his heat in third place in 13.64 seconds, but is confident he can improve as the competition progresses.
“The jitters are out. I’m just looking forward to advancing round by round,” he said. “There’s always jitters. If you’re not nervous there’s something wrong.”
Aries Merritt, 30, was watched by his sister Latoya, who supplied a kidney for last year’s transplant.
“I’m lucky to be running, to be out here is a blessing. I’m hoping to do special things tomorrow [yesterday],” he said.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care