Sprint queen Thompson in tune for World Championship

Pole vaulter Braz fails in all three attempts

AFP,  RABAT: Jamaica's sprint queen Elaine Thompson tuned up for next month's World Championships in style at the Rabat Diamond League meet on Sunday, but Olympic pole vault champion Thiago Braz endured a torrid time.

The Brazilian stole the show in Rio last year but failed in all three of his attempts at 5.40m.

Making his return to competition after a month sidelined with a knee problem in Morocco his lack of form will give him major cause for concern with London looming.

Reigning double Olympic sprint champion Thompson in contrast was all smiles after annexing the 100m in a meeting record 10.87sec.

Thomspon, who owns the season's leading time of 10.71m set in Kingston last month, crossed clear of Marie-Josee Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast (10.90) in a re-run of the result in Paris on July 1.

Trinidad and Tobago's Michelle-Lee Ahye took third in 11.02.

“My races are going fine, I'm in the shape that I want to be in and I'm looking forward to the London world championships,” said Thompson.

Briton Chijindu Ujah timed 9.98sec to take the men's 100m from Ivorian Ben Youssef Meite in 10.01.

“I hope I can do something very special in London,” ventured Ujah ahead of his clash with Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt next month.

Canada's Andre De Grasse, seen as the heir to Bolt when the Jamaican great calls it quits after London, came out on top in the 200m, timing 20.03sec.

American Ameer Webb took second in 20.18 with Briton Zharnel Hughes third in 20.22.

“I was pushed in the bend but I wanted to finish strong today and to stay relaxed. I wanted to use this to tune up for the worlds, and it went pretty well,” said De Grasse.

The 22-year-old made history in Rio last year when he became the first Canadian sprinter to win three medals at a single Olympics -- silver in the 200m, behind Bolt, and bronze from the 100m and 4x100m relay.

Colombia's women's Olympic triple jump champion Caterine Ibarguen gave her London prospects a confidence boost in Rabat with a leap of 14.51m to beat Jamaican Kimberly Williams (14.31m).

“I'm hoping to arrive at the worlds at my top level,” said Ibarguen.

Sprint queen Thompson in tune for World Championship

Pole vaulter Braz fails in all three attempts

AFP, RABAT: Jamaicas sprint queen Elaine Thompson tuned up for next months World Championships in style at the Rabat Diamond League meet on Sunday, but Olympic pole vault champion Thiago Braz endured a torrid time. The Brazilian stole the show in Rio last year but failed in all three of his attempts at 5.40m. Making his return to competition after a month sidelined with a knee problem in Morocco his lack of form will give him major cause for concern with London looming. Reigning double Olympic sprint champion Thompson in contrast was all smiles after annexing the 100m in a meeting record 10.87sec. Thomspon, who owns the seasons leading time of 10.71m set in Kingston last month, crossed clear of Marie-Josee Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast (10.90) in a re-run of the result in Paris on July 1. Trinidad and Tobagos Michelle-Lee Ahye took third in 11.02. My races are going fine, Im in the shape that I want to be in and Im looking forward to the London world championships, said Thompson. Briton Chijindu Ujah timed 9.98sec to take the mens 100m from Ivorian Ben Youssef Meite in 10.01. I hope I can do something very special in London, ventured Ujah ahead of his clash with Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt next month. Canadas Andre De Grasse, seen as the heir to Bolt when the Jamaican great calls it quits after London, came out on top in the 200m, timing 20.03sec. American Ameer Webb took second in 20.18 with Briton Zharnel Hughes third in 20.22. I was pushed in the bend but I wanted to finish strong today and to stay relaxed. I wanted to use this to tune up for the worlds, and it went pretty well, said De Grasse. The 22-year-old made history in Rio last year when he became the first Canadian sprinter to win three medals at a single Olympics -- silver in the 200m, behind Bolt, and bronze from the 100m and 4x100m relay. Colombias womens Olympic triple jump champion Caterine Ibarguen gave her London prospects a confidence boost in Rabat with a leap of 14.51m to beat Jamaican Kimberly Williams (14.31m). Im hoping to arrive at the worlds at my top level, said Ibarguen.