JAMAICA'S Thompson-Herah and Fraser-Pryce win at Prefontaine Classic

Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce were at the top of their game on Saturday as both produced season’s best performances to win the women’s 100m and 200m, respectively, at yesterday’s Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meet at Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon.

Thompson-Herah ran 10.79 seconds (0.7m/s) on a rain slick track, to win the 100m coming from behind, while  Fraser-Pryce led all the way to win the 200m in 22.41 seconds (0.8m/s).

Thompson-Herah, the Olympic sprint double champion put paid to any discussion about her fitness, with a commanding 10.79 seconds (0.7m/s), second fastest in the world to Fraser-Pryce’s 10.67 seconds world-leading mark.

Elaine Thompson-Herah following her victory in the 100 meters at the PreClassic pic.twitter.com/xyQbj2qF8l

— Anne M. Peterson (@AnnieMPeterson) May 28, 2022

Briton’s  Dina Asher-Smith had a tremendous start, but by mid-race, Thompson hit full stride on the track where she ran 10.54 last summer. The Jamaican continued to pull away and hit the finish in 10.79 on a 0.7 breeze. 

Richardson somehow stayed ahead of Olympic bronze medallist Jackson, as both clocked 10.92, with Asher-Smith 4th ahead of TeeTee Terry both at 10.98. Jamaica’s Briana Williams was ninth at 11.20 seconds.

“I’m happy to cross the line healthy and with the win,” Thompson-Herah said after the race. “It got me ready for my championship in Jamaica next month. I’m happy to see where I’m at. The result is good.”

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce ߇ﰟ粠won the women's 200m at the Prefontaine Classic in 22.41s (0.8), ahead of Brittany Brown who ran 22.74s for 2nd while Anthonique Strachan was 3rd in 22.76s, just ahead of Jenna Prandini and Tamara Clark who both clocked 22.77s. pic.twitter.com/ACvO2aJiX4

— Track & Field Gazette (@Athleticsglobe) May 28, 2022

Fraser-Pryce got off to a fast start and never trailed in the 200m, producing a commanding performance and won by a comfortable margin, beating the 22.79 seconds she ran in her first 200m race of the season.

100m ߌecord goals for Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
ߓ꺠https://t.co/E93fw0z4OR pic.twitter.com/2ersFh4WBH

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) May 28, 2022

American Brittany Brown was second with 22.74 seconds and Jamaica based Bahamian Anthonique Strachan was third in 22.76 seconds.

Despite running a seasons best 1:59.39 seconds, Natoya Goule-Topping finished fourth in the women’s 800m, after leading with just under 200m to go.

Goule-Topping, who was third a week ago in Birmingham, was tucked in behind the pacemaker and took over the lead after 400m and looked well set at the top of the home stretch but was passed first by the talented Brit Keely Hodgkinson who won in a world-leading 1:57.72 seconds.

American Ajee Wilson was second with 1:58.06 seconds and Raevyn Rogers third in 1:58.44 seconds.

Danielle Williams, the 2015 World Champion, was fifth in the 100m hurdles in 12.71 seconds ((-0.7m/s) as world leader Jasmine Camacho-Quinn won with 12.45 seconds ahead of Tobi Amusan, who ran a season’s best 12.58 seconds, and Tonea Marshall with 12.66 seconds.

Jaheel Hyde with 50.38 seconds and Kemar Mowatt with 50.81 seconds finished seventh and eighth, respectively. The 400m hurdles was won by Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos who lowered his world-leading time to 47.23 seconds.