CWG 2022: Elaine Thompson-Herah and Ferdinand Omanyala take 100 metre golds

CWG 2022: Elaine Thompson-Herah, the only one of Jamaica’s “Big Three” women to show up at the Commonwealth Games, was rewarded with the 100 meters gold medal on Wednesday, while Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala powered to the men’s title. Follow Commonwealth Games 2022 LIVE updates, Medal Tally, and more with InsideSport.IN

Also Read –  CWG 2022 Hockey LIVE: Harmanpreet & Akashdeep’s brace give India Men 8-0 victory over Canada, India women clinch thriller to win 3-2

CWG 2022: Thompson-Herah and Omanyala take 100 metre golds

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 03: Elaine Thompson-Herah of Team Jamaica beats Daryll Neita of Team England across the finish line to win the gold medal in the Women’s 100m Final on day six of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium on August 03, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Thompson-Herah, twice the 100/200m sprint champion at the Olympics, finished third in last month’s World Championship 100 final behind Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. She was originally only a reserve for the Commonwealths but when Fraser-Pryce opted out, she stepped in.

With Dina-Asher Smith, fourth in Eugene, also absent through injury, Thompson-Herah was the clear favourite for her first individual Commonwealth title.

She had looked a little tired in her semi-final but grabbed the early lead in the final and ran her usual smooth race to finish a comfortable winner in 10.95 seconds.

CWG 2022 LIVE: Weightlifter Lovepreet Singh dedicates bronze medal to ‘country & family’ Commonwealth Games success

CWG 2022: Thompson-Herah and Omanyala take 100 metre golds

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 03: Elaine Thompson-Herah of Team Jamaica celebrates with their countries flag after winning the gold medal in the Women’s 100m Final on day six of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium on August 03, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

“Feeling good, I didn’t have the best execution but nevertheless I had to dig for that one but I am still grateful to win my first Commonwealth Games,” she said.

“I started in 2014 in the 4x100m. Then in 2018 in the 200m I came fourth and now I upgraded to a gold.”

Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred was on her shoulder throughout for silver in 11.01 while England’s Daryll Neita recovered well from a terrible start to grab bronze in 11.07.

Omanyala, who set an African record of 9.77 seconds last year, served a 14 month doping ban four years ago. He failed to make the final at last month’s World Championships after arriving in the United States hours before the heats due to visa problems.

CWG 2022 India DAY6 Highlights: Judoka Tulika Maan wins silver, High Jumper Tejaswin Shankar, Squash player Saurav Ghosal, Weightlifters Lovepreet Singh & Gurdeep Singh bag Bronze

CWG 2022: Thompson-Herah and Omanyala take 100 metre golds

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 03: Ferdinand Omanyala of Team Kenya celebrates after winning the gold medal in the Men’s 100m Final on day six of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium on August 03, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Impressive in the semi-final he looked the favourite on Wednesday and duly controlled the final from gun to tape, flying out of the blocks and surging clear and looking more like a barrelling rugby prop than a sprinter to win in 10.02 seconds.

He is the second Kenyan to take the title after Seraphino Antao in 1962, when the event was still run over 100 yards.

South Africa’s defending champion Akani Simbine took silver in 10.13 with Yupun Abeykoon from Sri Lanka getting the bronze in 10.14.

CWG 2022: Thompson-Herah and Omanyala take 100 metre golds

Follow InsideSport on GOOGLE NEWS / Follow All Commonwealth Games 2022 LIVE Updates and Scores with InsideSport.IN