BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, LONDON

On day 2 of the London Anniversary games, Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands won the women’s 100 metres with a new national record of 10.92 seconds. As if it was not enough that she beat a star-studded field, which included Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor and Murielle Ahoure (who finished second and third respectively) she was a heptathlete until recently.  Schippers said: “I’m very happy with this race, it’s very nice to be here for the sprints. I think it’s a good start for Beijing.

For the 100m (in Beijing) I hope to get to the final then we will see, and for the 200m the same thing. It was a difficult decision (to choose sprints over heptathlon) but I think I am a sprinter now and it feels good. I am more relaxed in every race; I think it’s better for me to do only one thing. Now I can focus only on the sprints, I can focus on my start and that was difficult to do when I was in the heptathlon.

It is good that people from Europe can beat girls from America and Jamaica, it feels good.”

Performance of the day went to British teenage sensation Dina Asher Smith.  Although she came fourth in the final, she broke her British National record with a time of 10.99 seconds, when she won her heat, thus joining the sub-11 seconds club at just 19. Her story is remarkable considering she was a kit carrier in this stadium during the Olympics in 2012.  Now she the darling of British sprinting.  “It has been absolutely amazing, I thought I was in good shape but I didn’t realise I was in that good shape. Well done to Dafne because making the switch from heptathlon to sprints isn’t easy but she has made it look like she was made for it. I’m in the ten seconds now – I’m absolutely over the moon. I felt like I was in good shape in Monaco but when I crossed that line I was just beaming, I am so happy.

Going into Beijing, I have my fingers crossed for selection next week, but I’m really looking forward to it.” 

South African sensation Wayde Van Nierkerk enhanced his prospects of winning a medal in Beijing as he won the 400 metres in 44.63 seconds. David Verburg was second while veteran Olympic relay gold medalist Chris Brown of the Bahamas was third.  The victorious Wayde said: “I just came here to win. The season has certainly been a blessing to me so far. The Diamond Race points are a bonus to me, whatever happens, happens. This was my last Diamond League race before the World Championships so I just wanted to finish it with a good time and feel confident for the race. It was an honour to compete out here.”

Another athlete off the talented Jamaican production factory Elaine Thompson won the 200 metres in a personal best time of 22.10 seconds. Tori Bowie finished second while Candyce McGrone was third.

The Women’s 5000 metres provided one of the races of the day.  Molly Huddle led for most of the race by a long distance but the Kenyan Mercy Cherono somehow made up the distance and passed her with 300 metres to go to win the race in 14.54.81, her compatriot Janet Kisa finished third. 

In a race where 5 athletes dipped under 2 minutes, Eunice Sum won the 800 metres in 1:58:44 seconds.  Sifan Hassan finished second and Lysey Sharp was third.

In one of the biggest rivalries currently in men’s athletics, Nijel Amos beat David Rudisha to win the 800 metres. However the big question is can he do it when it matters in Beijing next month?

Renaud Lavillenie also put on a show for the British crowd as he won the Pole Vault with a height of 6.03m.