London: Dutch sprinter Dafne Schippers held on to retain her world 200m title on Friday as the United States had another night to savour at the London Stadium and two experienced campaigners claimed more gold.
Schippers, who won bronze in the 100m, roared off the bend into the final straight and looked as if she would coast safely home.
But the Dutchwoman began to tie up and only a savage dip at the line that saw her clock 22.05 seconds edged her past Ivorian Marie-Josee Ta Lou by just three-hundredths of a second. It was Ta Lou’s second silver after her efforts in the 100m won by American Tori Bowie, absent from the 200. Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas claimedbronze in 22.15sec.
US dominate in steeplechase
Olympic bronze medallist Emma Coburn finished the final 150 metres strongly for a first American steeplechase gold in a championships record 9min 02.58sec, with team mate Courtney Frerichs taking silver ahead of Kenya’s defending champion Hyvin Jepkemoi.
American Brittney Reese claimed a fourth world title in the long jump, having previously won in 2009, 2011 and 2013, and Poland’s Pawel Fajdek a third consecutive gold in the men’s hammer throw. In a compelling hammer competition, Fajdek defended his title with a best of 79.81 metres.
Bolt anchors Jamaica into finals
Usain Bolt’s bid to bring the curtain down on his glittering career with a 15th world gold medal remained on track as Jamaica qualified for the final of the 4x100m relay.
