LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Jessica Ennis-Hill came through unhurt in her first hurdles race of the outdoor season after finishing fourth in the 100m hurdles at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games on day 2 on Saturday.
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Ennis-Hill, the London Olympic Games heptathlon champion is using this IAAF Diamond League meeting to decide on whether she is fit enough to compete at the World Championships next month and she will take some confidence from her run here in the Olympic Stadium.
The Great Britain star only ran 13.08 seconds for fourth place behind the Olympic champion Sally Pearson of Australia, who was delighted at posting a season’s best of 12.65 seconds to win – but the heptathlete, although not happy with the time, was feeling good about coming away from the event unhurt.
Pearson has also been battling with injuries and is recovering from two torn hamstring problem.
Tiffany Porter of Great Britain was second in 12.76, with American Kellie Wells third in 12.95.
Jamaica’s Shermaine Williams was a disappointing seventh in 13.16.
Ennis-Hill will now turn her attention to the long jump event later today.
Also in great form in the morning action was Jamaica’s Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, the Olympic champion who flashed to a world-leading and meeting record of 10.77secs to win her heat of the women’s 100m over American Carmelita Jeter (10.93) and Jamaican Kerron Stewart (11.03). USA champion English Gardner was fourth in 11.10.
Heat two went to Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare, who ran a national, personal best and area record of 10.86secs. American Barbara Pierre was second to Okagbare in 10.90, with Murielle Ahoure of Ivory Coast taking third in 10.98.
Trinidad and Tobago’s previous world-leader Kelly-Ann Baptiste took fourth in 10.99 and moved into tonight’s final.
Several Olympic champions, including Usain Bolt, Mo Farah, Renaud Lavillenie, Allyson Felix, Felix Sanchez and Aries Merritt are all set to compete later in the meet.
Bolt was also in action on Friday when he won the men’s 100m in a seasonal best of 9.85secs.
