Fraser-Pryce is amazing! – Asher-Smith
Published:Thursday | June 10, 2021 | 12:17 AMHubert Lawrence/Gleaner Writer
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and her national 100 metre record of 10.63 seconds have been described as amazing by none other than Dina Asher-Smith, the Briton, who finished second to her in the 100m at the 2019 World Championships.
Asher-Smith says the run, in Kingston last Saturday, is good for the sport of athletics.
Speaking in Florence, Italy, yesterday, ahead of the Golden Gala Diamond League meet, Asher-Smith stated: “Shelly-Ann’s absolutely amazing, and I sent her a message, saying, ‘Oh my God! That was amazing’. The run itself was phenomenal. The coach sent me a video, saying, ‘Look at her leg speed. That’s what I’ve been talking about. You need to move your legs like that’.’’
NUMBER TWO SPOT
The effort took Fraser-Pryce past the previous 2021 world-leading time of 10.72 seconds by American Sha’Carri Richardson, out of her national record tie with Thompson-Herah, past Marion Jones at 10.65, and Carmelita Jeter at 10.64 and into the number-two spot on the all-time performance list.
On the matter of her reaction to whether the four-time 100 metre world champion had set the bar too high, the Briton replied: “I always have to back myself but can’t ignore the fact that Shelly-Ann is an amazing athlete. I was just really happy for her and just, basically, the summation of her whole career, and to run that time, I think it’s just amazing not only for her, but our sport as well.’’
Asher-Smith will run the 200 metres in Florence after winning the rain-soaked Gateshead Diamond League 100m ahead of Fraser-Pryce.
On Sunday in Hengelo, she sprinted to victory in the 100m in 10.92 seconds.