Defending Champion Shericka Jackson, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Ease Through To 200m Semis at World Championships

Several women, including reigning world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Shericka Jackson, and Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith, were lining up for the women's 200m heats at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

For defending champion Shericka Jackson and Ta Lou-Smith, this was a chance for redemption after struggling to make an impact in the women's 100m final. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden was out to continue her hot streak to the 200m.

According to World Athletics, the top three women in each heat qualify automatically, with the six fastest non-automatic qualifiers making it to the final.

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Anavia Battle, headlining the first heat, was in a class of her own, taking the win from Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith. She has been impressive this season, stunning defending champion Shericka Jackson in their Diamond League encounter.

The American clocked an impressive time of 22.07 seconds, a season's best time, with Africa's fastest woman finishing second in the race after clocking 22.39 seconds. Polyniki Emmanouilidou rounded up the podium in 22.92 seconds to make the semifinal automatically.

World leader Melissa Jefferson-Wooden was itching to go, having the much-needed confidence after her 100m exploits that saw her set a championship record time of 10.61 seconds in the women's 100m final just days earlier.

The American eased to the finish line, clocking 22.24 seconds, to show how good she was despite having not run the 200m in a major championship.

Thelma Davies of Liberia came in second, crossing the finish line in 22.76 seconds as Jessika Gbai joined compatriot Ta Lou-Smith in the semifinal, clocking 22.81 seconds.

American McKenzie Long and Jamaica's Ashanti Moore headlined the women's 200m third heat, with Liranyi Alonso having withdrawn and Sophia Junk also in the mix.

McKenzie Long was called to replace triple Olympic champion Gabby Thomas, who had to withdraw due to an injury. She made the 200m final at the Paris Olympic Games.

The American strolled to a comfortable 22.51 seconds, with the Jamaican, Moore, being forced to cross the finish line in second in a time of 22.57 seconds. Sophia Junk of Germany completed the podium in 22.81 seconds.

Olympic 200m bronze medallist Brittany Brown had a great start off the blocks, swinging off the bend and continuing her hot streak, winning the third heat in 22.50 seconds.

After missing out on a podium place in the women's 200m at the US Championships, Brittany Brown went to the Diamond League Meeting final with the intention to win, and she did just that, qualifying for the World Championships.

Anthonique Strachan of the Bahamas cruised to a season's best time of 22.57 seconds with Daryll Neita coming home in third in 22.59 seconds.

The fastest woman alive in the 200m, Shericka Jackson, was out to make a mark, especially after missing out on a podium place in the women's 100m.

Being the defending champion, all eyes were also on Shericka Jackson to prove a point and she did just that, crossing the finish line first in 22.33 seconds.

Amy Hunt of Great Britain put the Jamaican on pressure but could only settle for second, clocking 22.57 seconds, as Imke Vervaet of Belgium finished third in 22.74 seconds.

Dina Asher-Smith, after a tough 100m, was seeking redemption in the women's 200m and she cruised to a win in the women's 200m sixth heat in 22.40 seconds.

Australia's Torrie Lewis clocked a personal best time of 22.56 seconds to settle for second, showing flashes of brilliance in the race with Jael Bestue of Spain making the podium too in 22.74 seconds.