COLLEGE STATION, Texas : Olympic 200 metres champion Gabby Thomas produced a world-leading performance to win the women’s 200m at the Lone Star Grand Prix on Saturday, clocking 21.70 seconds in a statement run early in the season.
The American finished comfortably ahead of compatriot Kayla White, who was second in 22.07, while Nigeria’s Favour Ofili took third place in 22.15.
Thomas’s time bettered the 21.83 she ran to capture Olympic gold in Paris last year and came within a tenth of a second of her personal best of 21.60, set in 2023.
“I’m a little surprised by the time, but I’ve been training hard,” the 29-year-old said after the race.
“I had a great little tour in Africa and now the hard work is paying off. I’m enjoying having an ‘off’ year where there’s not the pressure of an Olympics or World Championships, so I’m just having fun this season.”
Thomas enjoyed a stellar Olympic campaign in Paris, winning gold in the 200m and helping the United States claim victory in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays.
Her strong showing in Texas marks another step in her return to top form after an Achilles injury forced her to miss last year’s World Championships in Tokyo. She returned to competition in April and has quickly re-established herself as one of the world’s leading sprinters.
