SZEKESFEHERVAR, Hungary, CMC – Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo smashed the meet record as she brushed aside her field to win the women’s 200 metres at the Hungarian Grand Prix, in her first half-lap of the year here yesterday.
The reigning Olympic 400 metres champion dominated from start to finish to clock 22.18 seconds and knock 0.34 off Jamaican former world and Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown’s three-year-old record.
Côte D`ivoire’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou finished second in a season-best 22.76 seconds while Jenna Prandini of the United States clinched third spot in 22.88.
Running out of lane seven, Miller-Uibo was away quickly and came off the curve with the lead, with Ta Lou and Prandini chasing. She then accelerated further to open up a significant gap on the field before easing up at the line.
Fellow Bahamian Steven Gardiner also dominated in the men’s 400 metres to carve out a new personal best of 44.45 seconds.
Starting from lane four, the World Championship silver medallist produced a steady display throughout the first 300 metres before surging in the final 100 metres to finish well ahead of his field.
Tyrell Richard (45.59) and Vernon Norwood (45.62) of the United States trailed in second and third respectively.
In the corresponding women’s event, Jamaican Stephenie-Ann McPherson took third in 51.76 behind winner Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain.
In the women’s 400 metres, Jamaican Janieve Russell claimed second in 55.65 behind winner Ashley Spencer of the United States (55.36), while Jamaican Fedrick Dacres measured 67.67 metres to finish second behind Sweden’s Daniel Stahl (68.77) in the men’s discus.