.Tobi Amusan competes today
By Uzor Odigbo
Africa’s female track prodigy Murrielle Ahoure of Cote d’ Ivoure lifted country and continent after winning the women’s sprint event at the IAAF Golden League finals in Zurich on thursday night.
The Ivorian returned a time of 11.01secs to place first.
However, Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare could not make it to the finishing lines as she was disqualified after a false start therefore causing her to miss the $50.000 dollar cash price on offer.
That was a big letdown for the Commonwealth double sprints queen, who was seeking to finish her season on high the way she started out in March.
Okagbare had raced to the top of the world list with an incredible African record-setting 22.04 seconds run in the 200m in Abilene, Texas, USA.
Aside Ahoure, two other African sprinters, South Africa’s Carina Horn and Ivory Coast’s Marie La Tou were in the start list and the race was won by Ahoure who could not make it down for Asaba 2018 as she got her plans well wraped up for Zurich, compatriot Marie-Josee Ta Lou arrived in third place and British Dina Asher-Smith was second.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Caster Semenya won her third Diamond League title in the 800m.
Kenya’s Olympic and world champion Conseslus Kipruto won the 3,000m steeplechase, despite running most of the race with one shoe.
The finals in 32 events are being split between Thursday’s meeting in Zurich and Friday’s in Brussels.
Another Nigerian, Tobi Amusan will be competing on Friday in Brussels.
Amusan has her work well cut out as she would be up against seven of the fastest hurdlers in the world this year, having qualified in 8th place with 12 points.
Top on the Diamond League standings is Olympic Champion Brianna McNeal, World Record holder Kendra Harrison of USA, teammate Sharika Nelvis, as well as former World Champion Danielle Williams.
Despite the star-studded list, Amusan will aim for a good finish in her first ever Diamond League final having enjoyed a blistering season in which she won the Commonwealth and African titles.
However, Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare could not make it to the finishing lines as she was disqualified after a false start therefore causing her to miss the $50.000 dollar cash price on offer.
That was a big letdown for the Commonwealth double sprints queen, who was seeking to finish her season on high the way she started out in March.
Okagbare had raced to the top of the world list with an incredible African record-setting 22.04 seconds run in the 200m in Abilene, Texas, USA.
Aside Ahoure, two other African sprinters, South Africa’s Carina Horn and Ivory Coast’s Marie La Tou were in the start list and the race was won by Ahoure who could not make it down for Asaba 2018 as she got her plans well wraped up for Zurich, compatriot Marie-Josee Ta Lou arrived in third place and British Dina Asher-Smith was second.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Caster Semenya won her third Diamond League title in the 800m.
Kenya’s Olympic and world champion Conseslus Kipruto won the 3,000m steeplechase, despite running most of the race with one shoe.
The finals in 32 events are being split between Thursday’s meeting in Zurich and Friday’s in Brussels.
Another Nigerian, Tobi Amusan will be competing on Friday in Brussels.
Amusan has her work well cut out as she would be up against seven of the fastest hurdlers in the world this year, having qualified in 8th place with 12 points.
Top on the Diamond League standings is Olympic Champion Brianna McNeal, World Record holder Kendra Harrison of USA, teammate Sharika Nelvis, as well as former World Champion Danielle Williams.
Despite the star-studded list, Amusan will aim for a good finish in her first ever Diamond League final having enjoyed a blistering season in which she won the Commonwealth and African titles.
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