TOKYO: American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden became the fourth woman to complete the sprint double at the world championships with victory in the 200 metres in 21.68 seconds on Friday.
The 24-year-old American ran the fastest time of the year to cap a dominant season with another gold medal to add to the one she won in the 100m on Sunday.
Britain’s Amy Hunt was a distant second to earn her first individual global medal with silver in 22.14, while bronze went to double defending champion Shericka Jackson of Jamaica in 22.18.
Anthonique Strachan of the Bahamas was disqualified for a false start and the race got away at the second attempt with Jefferson-Wooden soon settling into the smooth style that has distinguished her performances this year.
She was clearly out in front coming off the bend and maintained her stride to finish five metres clear of Hunt, who ran a brilliant final 100m to edge 31-year-old Jackson at the line.
“I have not stopped smiling or crying,” Hunt, 23, said. “As soon as I saw my mum, I burst into tears.
“I knew I could do it – as long as I put in a good turn and was with them off the bend. I am so proud of myself.”
Olympic champion Gaby Thomas missed the championships due to an Achilles injury and the silver medallist in Paris last year, Julien Alfred, withdrew with a hamstring tear after the 100m.
Jefferson-Wooden will be in no mood to entertain any asterisks after scooping her first two global titles in a magnificent week at the National Stadium.
She matched Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (2015) and Germans Silke Gladisch (1987) and Katrin Krabbe (1991) by winning both sprints at the same world championships. – Reuters
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