Ohuruogu dominates heat to reach 400m semi-final as Yousif eyes title challenge
DEFENDING champion Christine Ohuruogu breezed into the women’s 400m semi-finals after a dominant performance in her heats at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing yesterday.
Ohuruogu clocked a time of 51.01 seconds to post a conclusive victory as she returned to the stadium in which she became Olympic champion in 2008. Fellow Briton Anyika Onuora will join Ohuruogu in today’s semi-final after qualifying as a fastest loser.
Sudan-born Rabah Yousif, who arrived in the country as an asylum seeker aged 14, ran a personal best 44.54 to claim a surprise place in the men’s 400m final.
The 28-year-old will be Britain’s sole representative in tomorrow’s final having made it through as a fastest loser, while team captain Martyn Rooney crashed out after crossing the line in sixth.
Britain’s European indoor champion Holly Bradshaw will contest tomorrow’s pole vault final after recording a season’s best of 4.55m to finish joint top of qualifying alongside 13 other athletes.
Jamaica’s double Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, meanwhile, retained her 100m title 24 hours after compatriot Usain Bolt snatched the men’s equivalent.
Fraser-Pryce held off former heptathlete Dafne Schippers in a time of 10.76.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
12:00 BST: Women’s discus final
12:05: Women’s 400m semi-finals
12:25: Men’s long jump final
12:30: Men’s 200m heats
13:25: Men’s 400m hurdles final
13:35: Women’s 1500m final
13:55: Men’s 800m final