The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN a big test as she prepares to get the medal that has eluded her so far at the Olympic Games, Shaunae Miller-Uibo had enough real estate to reel in two of her arch rivals to win the women’s 200 metres at the EBS Herculis meeting in Monaco.

During the Bahamas’ 48th Independence celebrations this weekend, the reigning Olympic 400m champion clinched the win in the Wanda Diamond League meeting over Jamaica’s world 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Marie-Josee Ta Lou from the Ivory Coast.

While Miller-Uibo, who has chosen to focus on the 200m in Tokyo, won the race in 22.23 seconds, Ta Lou took second in 22.25 with Fraser-Pryce trailing in 22.48.

The 34-year-old Fraser-Pryce, now ‘Mother Rocket’ as she continues her gallant comeback from child birth in 2017, used her early speed to take the lead on the bend with Ta Lou, 32, in tow. As customary in the majority of her races, Miller-Uibo came off the curve in third place and had enough strength in her towering 6-foot, 1-inch frame to mow down the leaders.

With about 30 metres left, Miller-Uibo, running in lane seven, was able to catch Fraser-Pryce on jer inside in lane five. Using her height to her advantage, Miller-Uibo was able to beat Ta Lou to the line.

“We are focusing on the 200m at the minute and I want something new,” Miller-Uibo said. “We are getting the race in so we can get back in the best possible shape before Tokyo.”

Miller-Uibo was referring to her return to the international scene after she suffered a slight injury a couple weeks ago. She shook it off by doubling up in both the 200m and 400m at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Championships.However, on July 6 in Hungary, she suffered her first loss in the 200m since 2019 when she was beaten by Jamaican Shericka Jackson.

In that race, Miller-Uibo attempted a comeback, but Jackson was too far gone. The 26-year-old Jackson won in 21.96 with Miller-Uibo second in 22.15.

There was no question that Miller-Uibo was determined to not let history repeat itself as she garnered enough energy to surge back for the win on Friday.

“The girls out there are running great times at the moment, but there’s nothing I love more than great competition,” said Miller-Uibo in response to the stage going into the Olympics. “The current level we see out there is very motivating and I am very happy to see women on top of the sport now and making headlines.”

No doubt when the games are staged July 23 to August 8, Miller-Uibo is hoping that her performance will enable her to remain in the spotlight.

Miller-Uibo, 27, is coming off her loss at the last major global meet at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar, where she was beaten by Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser, who has since been suspended for not making herself available for doping tests, the Athletics Integrity Unit ruled last year.

Naser, 23, won the world title in October, finishing in 48.14 seconds -- the fastest time by any woman since 1985. Her victory ended a 25-month winning streak for Miller-Uibo, who took silver despite running an impressive national and regional record of 48.37.

Miller-Uibo heads into Tokyo currently ranked at number two in the world behind Great Britain’s Dana Asher Smith.

Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah is No.3., Switzerland’s Mujunga Kambundji fourth and Jackson fifth.

In the 400m, Miller-Uibo is also ranked at No.2 with Naser on top of the list that has Jamaican Stephanie Ann McPherson with Jackson fourth and Poland’s Justyna Swiety-Ersetic rounding out the top five.