Fraser-Pryce wins Diamond Race to extend success

Jamaican sprint star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce maintained her winning momentum when she brushed aside her field to win the 100 metres at the Weltklasse Zurich Diamond League here.

Fresh from her emphatic win at the World Championships in Beijing last week, Fraser-Pryce encountered little problems in reaching the line in first in 10.93 seconds and taking the Diamond Race title on Thursday, reports CMC.

Nigerian Blessing Okagbare was second in 10.98 with American Tori Bowie clinching third place with 11.06.

"There is no more to ask for: I won the World Championships and the Diamond Race. I am glad I finished first here," Fraser-Pryce said after winning.

"Each time I come out here I want to do my best. I was eager to come back on track after Beijing. I just enjoy this meeting. I have one more race to go on Sunday."

Running out of lane four, Fraser-Pryce was the clear leader at the half-way mark, with the pack left to play catch-up.

Okagbare, in lane seven, accelerated over the last 30 metres to make the race appear closer than it really was but she ran out of time as Fraser-Pryce took the line first.

"Today's race felt ok, even coming back from China. It's not easy to reach again in such a close time. I needed to adjust again but we're used to it, we're professional athletes," the 28-year-old said.

Meanwhile, former World 400m champion Kirani James was forced into second as arch-rival American Lashawn Merritt won their latest showdown.

James, who was relegated to bronze in Beijng recently, clocked 44.28 seconds as Merritt, the silver medallist at the World Championships, stole victory in 44.18.

Newly-crowned World champion, Wayde van Niekerk, could only muster third spot in 44.35 seconds.

"I'm very tired now but I'm nothing but thankful to these guys," said James after the race.

"Merritt was great tonight. The prize itself does not mean that much to me but these fans are a Diamond Trophy themselves."

In the men's 200 metres, Jamaican Rasheed Dwyer finished second in 20.20 seconds behind winner, Alonso Edward of Panama in 20.03.