Commonwealth Games: Miller-Uibo grabs edge as Bolt watches

Gold Coast: Shaunae Miller-Uibo grabbed a psychological edge over Olympic champion Elaine Thompson in the Commonwealth Games 200 metres semi-finals on Wednesday as retired sprint legend Usain Bolt settled into his new role as a spectator.

Bahamian Miller-Uibo, who dramatically dived over the line to win Olympic 400m gold at the 2016 Rio Games, swept into the 200m final in 22.95 seconds, nearly half a second ahead of Thompson, easing up behind her.

It sets up an intriguing final on Thursday when Thompson will attempt to win Jamaica’s first non-hurdles sprint title of the Games, following Yohan Blake’s shock defeat in the men’s 100m. 

Thompson’s outing came after Aisha Praught had broken Kenya’s stranglehold on the women’s steeplechase, a result that also gave Jamaica their first Commonwealth medal in a race longer than 800m.

American-born Praught caught Kenyan favourite Celliphine Chespol on the final bend to win in 9min 21sec, ending the East African nation’s phenomenal record of sweeping the podium at the last two Games. Chespol took silver and countrywoman Purity Cherotich Kirui bronze.

However, Stephenie McPherson missed the memo as the defending champion was dethroned in the 400m, finishing third behind Botswana’s Amantle Montsho, who clocked 50.15 ahead of Jamaica’s Anastasia Le-Roy.

Australia’s Kathryn Mitchell unleashed the world’s longest javelin throw in five years to win gold with a mighty effort of 68.92m.

South African Luvo Manyonga, a former crystal meth addict turned Olympic silver medallist, leapt a Games-record 8.41m to capture long jump gold, while Australia’s Brandon Starc won the high jump with a personal best of 2.32m.

England’s Jack Laugher retained his one-metre springboard title but there was heartbreak for Austra-lia’s Maddison Keeney and Annabelle Smith, who led the women’s 3m synchro until they botched their final dive and finished last.