Elaine Thompson finished 5th in the women's 100m at the London 2017 World Championships

There were a few surprises in the women’s 100m heats which took centre stage on Day 2 of the ongoing IAAF World Championships in London even as the major contenders comfortably booked their spots in Sunday’s semifinal race.

Germany’s Gina Luckenkemper sprung a surprise in Heat 1 where she raced to the overall fastest time of 10.95s, setting a new Personal Best (PB) in the process to upstage Moscow 2013 Silver medalllist Murielle Ahoure who placed 2nd in 11.04s. Jura Levy and Asha Philip also secured their place in the semis with times of 11.09s and 11.14s in 3rd and 4th place.

Germany’s Gina Luckenkemper ran the overall fastest time of 10.95s in the women’s 100m heat. Photo Credit: Making of Champions/PaV Media

Championship favourite Elaine Thompson comfortably won Heat 2 in a time of 11.05s, inspiring Canada’s Crystal Emmanuel to a PB of 11.14s in 2nd place, while USA’s Ariana Washington finished 3rd in 11.28s.

Beijing 2015 Bronze medallist Tori Bowie was the woman to beat in Heat 3 where she stormed to victory in 11.05s as Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare Ighoteguonor came from behind to settle for 2nd place (11.22s). Ivet Lalova-Collio followed in 3rd position with a time of 11.31s.

Beijing 2015 Bronze medallist Tori Bowie will be aiming for an upgrade in London. Photo Credit: Making of Champions/PaV Media

Marie Josee Ta Lou showed some signs of brilliance as she beat Dafne Schippers to the finishing line to win Heat 4 in 11.00s. The Dutchwoman returned a time of 11.08s in 2nd while South Africa’s Carina Horn joined the list of automatic qualifiers with her 3rd place finish, clocking a time of 11.28s.

Brazilian Rosangela Santos emerged the surprise winner in Heat 5 where she upstaged Michelle-Lee Ahye to set a PB of 11.04s, with Mujinga Kambundji placing 2nd in 11.14s. Home girl Darryl Neita (11.15s) was inspired by the support of the home fans and raced to victory in Heat 6 ahead of USA’s Deajah Stevens (11.17s).

Rosangela Santos upstaged Michelle-Lee Ahye to win her heat. Photo Credit: Making of Champions/PaV

Meanwhile in the men’s 800m, 19-year old Kipyegon Bett stole the show in Heat 1 where he clocked 1:45.76 as Andreas Kramer of Sweden followed in 1:45.98.

Canada’s Brandon McBride (1:45.69) dominated Heat 2 for the better part of the race before relinquishing the lead to Thijmen Kupers who took the win in 1:45.53. Kevin Lopez was 3rd in 1:45.77.

Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich was unstoppable in Heat 3 where he stormed to victory in 1:45.77 to finish ahead of Isaiah Harris (1:45.82) and Elliot Giles  (1:45.86).

Kenya’s Ferguson Rotich dominated his heat. Photo Credit: Making of Champions/PaV Media

World Leader Emmanuel Korir (1:47.08) was comfortable in Heat 4, allowing Poland’s Michal Rozmys (1:47.09) to take the lead before overtaking as they approached the home straight.

Nijel Amos left no room for error, executing a tactical race to finish ahead of his rivals in a time of 1:47.10 in Heat 5. Frenchman Pierre-Ambroise Bosse and Adam Kszczot were 2nd and 3rd respectively in 1:47.25 and 1:47.36.

US 800m Champion Donavan Brazier held off the rest of the field to cross the finishing line 1st in Heat 6 in a time of 1:45.65 as former World Champion Mohammed Aman came from behind to occupy the 2nd spot with a time of 1:45.81.

Nijel Amos left nothing to chance as he executed a tactical race to win his heat. Photo Credit: Making of Champions/PaV Media

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Yemi Galadima is a Senior Sportswriter and Editor at Making of Champions. She has a bias for Athletics and was previously a Sports Reporter at the National Mirror, where she hosted a weekly column ‘On the Track with Yemi Olus’ for over two years. A self-acclaimed ‘athletics junkie’, she has covered national and international events live, such as the African Athletics Championships, African Games, Olympics and World Athletics Championships. She also freelances for World Athletics.

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