Brianna Rollins in the 100m hurdles heats at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (© Getty Images)
Hurdles qualification rounds are rarely this straight forward but at a sun-drenched Olympic Stadium on Tuesday morning, the opening series of heats passed without major incident.
USA’s heat one favourite Kristi Castlin breezed to a comfortable win in a slick 12.68 with Belgian Anne Zagre finishing with a flourish to take second 0.17 further back. The third and final automatic qualification spot was secured by Finland’s 2011 European junior champion Nooralotta Neziri in 12.88.
Behind, 2015 World Championships finalist Shermaine Williams placed fourth in 12.95 and advanced as one of six athletes on time.
However, Swedish star Susanna Kallur, still the world 60m hurdles record-holder, could only place fifth and was eliminated.
Heat two went very much to form with two-time world indoor champion Nia Ali flashing past the line first in a handy 12.76, 0.07 clear of Phylicia George of Canada. Pedrya Seymour came within 0.02 of her Bahamian record to clock 12.85 for third place to also advance without incident into Wednesday evening’s semi-finals.
European athletes were to the fore in a competitive heat three with Great Britain’s Cindy Ofili from lane two earning a comfortable victory in 12.75.
A further 0.09 behind was Germany’s Nadine Hildebrand with Norway’s 2009 world U18 and 2010 world U20 champion Isabelle Pedersen equalling her PB in 12.86 to complete the first three. Canada’s Angela Whyte, a 2004 Olympic finalist, placed sixth in 13.09 and was eliminated.
World silver medallist and European champion Cindy Roleder, who is establishing a reputation as a quality championship performer, edged a tight heat four win in 12.86.
The German finished 0.01 clear of Tiffany Porter, elder sister of Cindy Ofili, the winner of the previous heat. Securing the third automatic place was Jamaica’s Nickiesha Wilson in 12.89, a former IAAF Continental Cup winner in the 400m hurdles.
Teenager Jasmine Camacho-Quinn was an eye-catching winner of heat five, flashing by the line in a highly respectable 12.70.
The US-born Puerto Rican finished powerfully to haul herself past world bronze medallist Alina Talay of Belarus who grabbed second in 12.74. Pamela Dutkiewicz placed third in 12.90 to ensure all three Germans will take their place in the semi-finals.
Brianna Rollins, complete with trademark headband, underlined her status as pre-event favourite by advancing fastest in a time of 12.54 from the sixth and final heat.
The 2013 world champion quickly opened a huge lead on the field and although she did come precariously close to a major mishap when clipping hurdle eight, she recovered to storm to a comprehensive victory. Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds (12.81) and Sandra Gomis (13.04) of France completed the top three.
Steve Landells for the IAAF
