ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND, August 28 — The U.S. contingent contesting the Tokyo furlong grew from a trio to a quartet after Brittany Brown bagged herself a Wild Card to the WC with a gutsy 200 win.
In a reverse of the sharp end of the ’19 WC final, Brown dug deep down the homestraight of the famed Letzigrund Stadium to hold off Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith. The pair clocked 22.13 and 22.18,.
“These last couple of races I’ve been really consistent,” said a delighted and relieved Brown. “Eight months ago, I had surgery [to treat endometriosis that had troubled her for years], so I’m really pleased to make the team. I just needed a little longer, one more shot, to make it.”
The Olympic bronze medalist, who had finished a frustrated 4th at the USATF Championships this summer, added, “There was pressure as there was only one spot because at the U.S. Trials there are usually three spots but I’m really happy with my progression knowing from where I started.”
Paris 100 champion Julien Alfred had her first race since her 21.71 in the 200 at the London DL more than a month ago but showed that rumors of the St. Lucian having hamstring problems might have had an element of fake news.
The former Texas Longhorn flew to a 100 victory in 10.76, edging in front of Jamaica’s fast-starting Tia Clayton in the final 20 with the latter finishing 2nd in 10.84.
Like Alfred, Ackera Nugent’s win in the 100H earned her an enhanced payday as her event had been deemed one of 4 women’s “Diamond+ Discipline” in Zürich. Thus, the win garnered the Jamaican a 1st prize of $50,000 instead of the usual $30,000.
Nugent’s compatriot, 2-time world champion Danielle Williams, was the quickest over the first 5 hurdles but faded over the second half of the race as Nugent (lane 4) and local favorite Ditaji Kambundji, 3 lanes to her outside, battled for the victory.
Nugent, the ’23 NCAA winner, surged in front over the final two barriers and won in a season’s best of 12.30 as Kambundji equaled her Swiss Record with 12.40.
Femke Bol extended her impressive 400H streak to 30 DL races contested, 30 DL races won, when she glided to victory in 52.18. Bol now has 7 of the top 8 times over the barriers this year.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s early season 52.07 punctures that list but the Olympic champion has decided…
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