BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) – Jereem Richards is in the midst of a tough year, but the Trinidad and Tobago sprinter continues to be an inspiration on the athletics track.
Richards successfully defended his Commonwealth Games 200m crown in Birmingham on Saturday night in 19.80 seconds.
A finalist at the Tokyo Olympics, he took control from the start and set a Commonwealth Games record.
He beat England’s Jarnell Hughes by 0.38 seconds. Joseph Paul Amoah of Ghana won the bronze medal.
It’s been nearly eight months since Richards’ close friend and countryman Deon Lendore, an Olympic medalist who had been “an inspiration” since he was a boy, died in a car crash in Texas.
Richards vowed to continue Lendore’s legacy and dedicate his racing efforts this season to his memory. His contribution to Birmingham was one to remember.
“It’s been a long season and I’m just grateful to have made it through,” he said.
Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah added a Commonwealth Games sprint double to her outstanding Olympic exploits with a superb effort.
Thompson-Herah was beaten by her compatriots Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson in the 100m at the world championships in Oregon last month. But the five-time Olympic gold medalist recovered brilliantly in Birmingham and added the 200 crown to the 100 with a comprehensive victory.
Thompson-Herah, who also completed the sprint double at the Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo Olympics, clocked 22.02 to beat Favor Ofili by nearly half a second. Namibia’s Christine Mboma won the bronze medal.
Fraser-Pryce and Jackson were criticized by Games officials for neglecting the event in preference to athletics events in Europe. Jackson won the 200 at a meet in Poland earlier Saturday in 21.84.
Back in Birmingham, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo added to his 5000m gold success earlier in the week in the 10,000 when he toed the line.
Vinesh Phogat was among six Indian wrestlers who won gold medals in Birmingham.
Phogat, who won the women’s 53kg category, said her success provided a confidence boost as she looks towards the Paris Olympics in two years’ time.
“My last year was not so good. After so much training and self-doubt, this is very important to me,” she said. “This medal will increase my confidence for the next two years, for the Paris Olympics. I’m back.”
India reached the men’s field hockey final after defeating South Africa 3-2. Singh Manpreet said they learned from a semi-final defeat at Gold Coast in 2018.
“We knew they were going to give us a good fight,” Manpreet said “We were prepared.”
In women’s cricket, Australia will face India in a much-anticipated final after a convincing win over New Zealand in a semi-final at Edgbaston. India earlier beat hosts England by four runs in a thriller.
After the overall gold medal race had tightened the day before, Australia extended its lead at the top of the rankings by winning nine gold medals on Day 9.
Australia has 59 golds and 155 medals overall, ahead of second-placed England (50 golds and 148 medals overall) with two days of competition remaining.
India is fifth with 13 gold medals and 27 minor medals.
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