Elaine Thompson-Herah confirmed her place among the pantheon of sprint greats as she secured an unprecedented women's 100m-200m double-double with a sensational victory over the longer distance in Tokyo.
The 29-year-old Jamaican surged home in 21.53 seconds, just 0.19 seconds off Florence Griffith-Joyner's long-standing world record, to back up her individual golds from Rio 2016.
It is the second-fastest time in history.
Trailing in her draught, Namibian teenager Christine Mboma, who was barred from her favoured 400m two weeks before the Games on account of her naturally high testosterone levels, took silver in 21.81.
Gabrielle Thomas, the American champion, took bronze in 21.87.
Griffith-Joyner's 21.34-second mark, set in the final of the 1988 Games in Seoul, has long seemed unassailable. But Thomas' 21.61 run in the US trials in June and Thompson-Herah, who became the second-fastest woman of all time over 100m on Saturday, have brought it back into view with the help of a high-tech track and carbon-stiffened spikes.
It may yet be Mboma who could finally claim the record however. Having only turned 18 in May, the Namibian had run only one 200m before this season, a pedestrian 25.05. But her awesome finishing speed swallowed up Jamaican great Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and several others over the final 50m.
Work on her start and the new experience of running the bend could quickly bring her time lower quickly.
Thompson-Herah, Fraser-Pryce and 100m bronze medallist Shericka Jackson will attempt to make sure Jamaica go one better than their 4x100m silver from Rio in Friday's relay final.
Latest Stories
-
George Twum-Barimah-Adu pledges inclusive cabinet with Minority and Majority leaders
29 mins -
Labourer jailed 5 years for inflicting cutlass wounds on businessman
30 mins -
Parliament urged to fast-track passage of Road Traffic Amendment Bill
31 mins -
Mr Daniel Kofi Asante aka Electrician
31 mins -
Minerals Commission, Solidaridad unveils forum to tackle child labour in mining sector
36 mins -
Election 2024: Engagement with security services productive – NDC
38 mins -
Retain NPP for the good of Ghana – Rebecca Akufo-Addo
38 mins -
‘Let’s work together to improve sanitation, promote health outcome’ – Sector Minister urges
39 mins -
Ellembelle MP cuts sod for six-unit classroom block at Nkroful Agric SHS
42 mins -
‘I’ll beat the hell out of you if you misbehave on December 7’ – Achiase Commanding Officer
45 mins -
AFPNC leads the charge on World Prematurity Day 2024
50 mins -
Court remands unemployed man over theft of ECG property
57 mins -
Election security rests solely with the police – Central Regional Police Command
59 mins -
NCCE engages political youth activists at Kumbungu on tolerance
59 mins -
‘In Mahama’s era students lacked chalk, but are now receiving tablets’ – Bawumia
1 hour