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De Grasse Dominates 200m, Thomas Breaks 11-Second Barrier in Botswana

Olympic champion Andre De Grasse won the men's 200m at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix in 19.84 seconds, leading a Canadian 1-2 finish with Aaron Brown second. Gabby Thomas broke the 11-second barrier for the first time, winning the women's 100m in 10.95 seconds. Jerome Blake set a personal best of 9.93 seconds to win the men's 100m, edging Ferdinand Omanyala and De Grasse. Kayla White won the women's 200m in 22.68 seconds, while South Africa's Aiden Smith and Luvo Manyonga won the men's shot put and long jump respectively.

Key Points: Andre De Grasse Wins 200m, Gabby Thomas Breaks 11s Barrier

  • Andre De Grasse wins 200m in 19.84s
  • Gabby Thomas breaks 11-second barrier in 100m (10.95s)
  • Jerome Blake PB 9.93s edges Omanyala and De Grasse
  • Kayla White wins women's 200m in 22.68s
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Andre De Grasse shines in 200m, Gabby Thomas breaks 11-second barrier at Botswana Grand Prix

Olympic champion Andre De Grasse clocks 19.84s in 200m at Botswana Grand Prix. Gabby Thomas breaks 11-second barrier in 100m. Jerome Blake PB in 100m.

"I'm happy with my performance today - Andre De Grasse"

Gaborone, April 27

Olympic champion Andre De Grasse delivered a statement performance to win the men's 200m at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix on Sunday, clocking an impressive 19.84 seconds to headline a strong showing at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event.

The Canadian star, who had earlier finished second in the 100m with a time of 9.95 seconds, returned to dominate his preferred half-lap event. He led a Canadian 1-2 finish, with Aaron Brown taking second in 20.07, while the United States' Kyree King secured third in 20.24, according to Olympics.com.

In the women's 200m, Kayla White produced a commanding run to claim victory in 22.68 seconds. She finished comfortably ahead of fellow American Kenondra Davis (23.22) and Trinidad and Tobago's Leah Bertrand (23.39). Pre-race favourite Gabby Thomas withdrew from the event, citing fatigue after competing in the 100m earlier in the evening.

Thomas, however, had already made headlines by storming to victory in the women's 100m in 10.95 seconds, finally breaking the 11-second barrier for the first time in her career. She finished ahead of Cambrea Sturgis (11.07) and Canada's Audrey Leduc (11.10), marking her third consecutive 100m win at Continental Tour Gold meetings in Africa.

The men's 100m saw Canada's Jerome Blake produce a personal best of 9.93 seconds to edge out Kenya's African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala and De Grasse, who both clocked 9.95 seconds.

In field events, South Africa's Aiden Smith claimed a surprise win in the men's shot put with a best throw of 20.55m, finishing ahead of Italy's Zane Weir (20.48) and Nick Ponzio (19.84).

Another South African success came in the men's long jump, where Luvo Manyonga secured victory with a leap of 7.96m. Namibia's Lionel Coetzee (7.84m) finished second, while South Africa's Divan Manuel (7.75m) took third.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Suresh O
I'm impressed by Jerome Blake's personal best of 9.93 in the 100m—that's a solid run! But it's sad to see Ferdinand Omanyala not winning on home soil. The African record holder should have done better, yaar. Anyway, good to see African athletes like Luvo Manyonga (great name, sounds so majestic) doing well in field events. Just wish Indian athletics could get more exposure in meets like this.
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Priya S
Gabby Thomas pulling out of the 200m due to fatigue after her 100m win is a smart move. These athletes need to prioritize their health over medals sometimes. But 10.95 in the 100m—wow! She's definitely peaking at the right time. Also, Andre De Grasse's 19.84 in the 200m is just pure class, but I wish Kyree King had pushed harder for that podium.
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Aditya G
Botswana Grand Prix is becoming a key meet in Africa—great to see athletics growing there! But I wonder why India's athletes don't participate more in such Continental Tour events. We have talent like Neeraj Chopra, but where are our sprinters? Even Kenya and South Africa are making their mark. We need to step up, yaar. 🇮🇳
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Jennifer L
Fantastic performance by Andre De Grasse—19.84 is world-class! But I'm a bit disappointed in Gabby Thomas withdrawing from the 200m. I get that fatigue is real, but it felt like a missed opportunity for a statement double. Still, breaking 11 seconds in the 100m is historic for her. Looking forward to seeing her at the World Championships.

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