Tiny sprinter obliterates the field en route to gold in 100m final

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce demolished the field as Jamaica completed a 100m double at the world championships on Monday and showed it still has the edge in the battle of sprinting's superpowers.

The US had four athletes in the final for the first time, including defending champion Carmelita Jeter, but had no answer to Fraser-Pryce, who took gold with the biggest winning margin in world championships history.

It was a second world title for the 26-year-old, who also won in 2009, and followed hot on the heels of compatriot Usain Bolt's victory in the men's final on Sunday.

Fraser-Pryce's lightning-quick run on the bright blue track at Luzhniki Stadium was Boltesque in its dominance as she set a world-leading time of 10.71 seconds.

Murielle Ahoure was second in 10.93 to give Cote d'Ivoire its first world championship medal, and she became the first African woman to finish on the podium in a sprint.

Jeter was the best-placed American, in third at 10.94.

"I was just focused on getting that start," Fraser-Pryce, who is renowned for her devastating ability out of the blocks, told a media conference.

"I knew I had to do that to actually do well, and when I crossed the line I didn't know I was that far ahead.

"I was just completely in that zone and trying to do my best. I wasn't focused on anybody else."

The diminutive double Olympic gold medalist showed all her experience by making up for a sluggish start with a dynamic drive section that saw her race clear of the field by 30 meters.

The 1.52-meter Jamaican then kept her solid running style through the finish line for an imposing victory in the season's fastest time.

"I had my obstacles - I was starting to feel pain under my left butt cheek," said Fraser-Pryce, whose victory is a massive boost for a Jamaican team hit by doping bans to sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown, Sherone Simpson and Asafa Powell.

"I am surrounded by great people. I came here and did my best and actually won.

"I was really hurting, but I knew what I worked for.

"I just came out here and executed my race. I wasn't focused on anyone else; it was all about execution."

The Jamaican, whose compact frame gives little indication of the power she can produce, was ahead in the first few strides and her rivals were left watching the soles of her bright pink spikes and matching hair extensions as she powered to the line.

"It was an amazingly fast race and I am pleased to be on the podium," said Jeter.

"This has to be a medal that means a little more than my others because this has been a tough year," said the 33-year-old.

Jamaica has missed out on just one world 100m title since the 2008 Olympics, and that was Jeter's victory at the worlds in Daegu two years ago.

Bolt made sure the Jamaicans drew first blood in Moscow against their US rivals when he beat Justin Gatlin in the men's final.

"I was so happy for Usain and (bronze medalist) Nesta (Carter) ... that was their day and I was excited for them," Fraser-Pryce said of her giant compatriot.

Fraser-Pryce, like Bolt, has a shot at adding two more medals in Moscow, the 200 and 4x100 relay although, unlike her compatriot, she will not start the 200 as favorite with American Allyson Felix aiming for a fourth title at the worlds.

(China Daily 08/14/2013 page24)