Gabby&nbsp;Thomas&nbsp;won the women's 200m title in a world-leading 21.60sec on Sunday, throwing down a World Championships challenge as she denied Sha'Carri Richardson a sprint double at the US athletics championships.

Richardson, coming off a 100m victory on Friday, seized the early lead but&nbsp;Thomas&nbsp;gained ground off the curve to take the victory, with Richardson second in a personal best 21.94 and Kayla White third in 22.01.

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Thomas, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, had opted not to run the 100m at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, this week, and the decision looked right as on fresh legs she twice improved on the best 200 time of the season.

She'd clocked a world-leading 21.86sec in the semi-finals, which reigning 200m world champion Shericka Jackson erased with a 21.71 at the Jamaican championships in Kingston.

Thomas&nbsp;responded in a big way, her personal best amping up anticipation for a showdown with Jackson at the World Championships in Budapest next month.

"Right after my world lead I immediately saw that she went better,"&nbsp;Thomas&nbsp;said. "And so I'm thinking, OK, it's on."

It was a contrast to last year's US championships, where a tearful&nbsp;Thomas&nbsp;failed to book a World Championships berth as she battled a hamstring injury.

"Coming here last year and being injured was really heart-breaking for me," she said. "I was really ready this year. I was hungry, I wanted it more than, I think, anyone."

Richardson will still have a chance at a sprint double when she contests her first World Championships at Budapest next month.

She was infamously barred from the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after testing positive for marijuana, and then saw her hopes of competing for a medal at last year's World Championships vanish when she bombed out of the US trials.

<h2>Knighton wins 200m</h2>

In the men's 200, Erriyon Knighton held off Kenny Bednarek to win in 19.72sec with Courtney Lindsey third.

Bednarek and Knighton won silver and bronze behind teammate Noah Lyles at last year's World Championships. Lyles has a bye into the event in Budapest, where he'll be gunning for a sprint double after finishing third in the 100m this week.

Reigning 100m world champion Fred Kerley, however, saw his hopes of a Budapest double evaporate with a fourth-placed finish in the 200.

Christian Coleman, already assured of a 100m berth with his runner-up finish to Cravont Charleston, also missed out in the 200m, finishing sixth.

Shamier Little, who won world 400m hurdles silver back in 2015, claimed her first national title since 2018 with a victory in 53.34sec.

"I'm just not a quitter," Little said of her determination to return to the top of the podium. "Like I'm going to figure it out one way or another."

Dalilah Muhammad, Olympic gold medallist in 2016 and world champion in 2019, was second in 53.53 and Anna Cockrell was third in 54.24.

The three could be joined in the 400m hurdles in Budapest by world record-holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who posted a dominant win in the 400m flat this week but still has a hurdles by in Budapest and has yet to confirm her plans.

Rai Benjamin won the men's 400m hurdles going away, capturing his fourth national title in a scintillating 46.62 to set up another likely showdown with Norwegian rival Karsten Warholm at worlds.

Benjamin took silver behind Warholm at the Tokyo Olympics -- another silver to go with those from the 2019 and 2022 world championships.

Daniel Roberts won the 110m hurdles in 13.05sec with rising talent Cordell Tinch second in 13.08 and Freddie Crittenden third in 13.23.

It's a dream result for Tinch, who only returned to training in January after a three-year break from the sport and broke 13 seconds in June.

World champion Grant Holloway, with a bye into Budapest, opted not to run the final.

In other events, Olympic and world champion Katie Moon won the women's pole vault with a world-leading 4.90m.

Ryan Crouser easily won the men's shot put with a throw of 22.86m, well off the world record of 23.56 he set in May but plenty to beat Josh Awotunde (22.10).

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Gabby Thomas won the women's 200m title in a world-leading 21.60sec on Sunday, throwing down a World Championships challenge as she denied Sha'Carri Richardson a sprint double at the US athletics championships.

Gabby Thomas won the women's 200m title in a world-leading 21.60sec on Sunday, throwing down a World Championships challenge as she denied Sha'Carri Richardson a sprint double at the US athletics championships. Richardson, coming off a 100m victory on Friday, seized the early lead but Thomas gained ground off the curve to take the victory, with Richardson second in a personal best 21.94 and Kayla White third in 22.01. Also Read: Golf: PGA Tour board member resigns amid 'concerns' over merger with Saudi-backed LIV Golf Thomas, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, had opted not to run the 100m at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, this week, and the decision looked right as on fresh legs she twice improved on the best 200 time of the season. She'd clocked a world-leading 21.86sec in the semi-finals, which reigning 200m world champion Shericka Jackson erased with a 21.71 at the Jamaican championships in Kingston. Thomas responded in a big way, her personal best amping up anticipation for a showdown with Jackson at the World Championships in Budapest next month. "Right after my world lead I immediately saw that she went better," Thomas said. "And so I'm thinking, OK, it's on." It was a contrast to last year's US championships, where a tearful Thomas failed to book a World Championships berth as she battled a hamstring injury. "Coming here last year and being injured was really heart-breaking for me," she said. "I was really ready this year. I was hungry, I wanted it more than, I think, anyone." Richardson will still have a chance at a sprint double when she contests her first World Championships at Budapest next month. She was infamously barred from the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after testing positive for marijuana, and then saw her hopes of competing for a medal at last year's World Championships vanish when she bombed out of the US trials. Knighton wins 200m In the men's 200, Erriyon Knighton held off Kenny Bednarek to win in 19.72sec with Courtney Lindsey third. Bednarek and Knighton won silver and bronze behind teammate Noah Lyles at last year's World Championships. Lyles has a bye into the event in Budapest, where he'll be gunning for a sprint double after finishing third in the 100m this week. Reigning 100m world champion Fred Kerley, however, saw his hopes of a Budapest double evaporate with a fourth-placed finish in the 200. Christian Coleman, already assured of a 100m berth with his runner-up finish to Cravont Charleston, also missed out in the 200m, finishing sixth. Shamier Little, who won world 400m hurdles silver back in 2015, claimed her first national title since 2018 with a victory in 53.34sec. "I'm just not a quitter," Little said of her determination to return to the top of the podium. "Like I'm going to figure it out one way or another." Dalilah Muhammad, Olympic gold medallist in 2016 and world champion in 2019, was second in 53.53 and Anna Cockrell was third in 54.24. The three could be joined in the 400m hurdles in Budapest by world record-holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who posted a dominant win in the 400m flat this week but still has a hurdles by in Budapest and has yet to confirm her plans. Rai Benjamin won the men's 400m hurdles going away, capturing his fourth national title in a scintillating 46.62 to set up another likely showdown with Norwegian rival Karsten Warholm at worlds. Benjamin took silver behind Warholm at the Tokyo Olympics -- another silver to go with those from the 2019 and 2022 world championships. Daniel Roberts won the 110m hurdles in 13.05sec with rising talent Cordell Tinch second in 13.08 and Freddie Crittenden third in 13.23. It's a dream result for Tinch, who only returned to training in January after a three-year break from the sport and broke 13 seconds in June. World champion Grant Holloway, with a bye into Budapest, opted not to run the final. In other events, Olympic and world champion Katie Moon won the women's pole vault with a world-leading 4.90m. Ryan Crouser easily won the men's shot put with a throw of 22.86m, well off the world record of 23.56 he set in May but plenty to beat Josh Awotunde (22.10). WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Gabby Thomas posts world-leading 21.60 to claim US women's 200m title at US Athletics Championship

South Africa's Stephen Mokoka, who had never run a 50km race before, broke the world record on home soil in Gqeberha on Sunday.

Mokoka, 37, crossed the finish line in two hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds, beating the record set by Ethiopian Ketema Bekele Negasa (2:42:07) at the same event last year.

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"I'm tired," Mokoka, a three-times Olympian, said. "It's a long way and I don't know how I'm going to feel later, but I enjoyed it."

Ethiopia's Amelework Fikadu Bosho dominated the women's race to finish in a time of 3:04:58, nearly four minutes ahead of the rest but 34 seconds short of the world record.

South Africa's Stephen Mokoka, who had never run a 50km race before, broke the world record on home soil in Gqeberha on Sunday. Mokoka, 37, crossed the finish line in two hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds, beating the record set by Ethiopian Ketema Bekele Negasa (2:42:07) at the same event last year.

South Africa's Stephen Mokoka, who had never run a 50km race before, broke the world record on home soil in Gqeberha on Sunday. Mokoka, 37, crossed the finish line in two hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds, beating the record set by Ethiopian Ketema Bekele Negasa (2:42:07) at the same event last year. ALSO READ: Jadeja, Ashwin spin India to thumping win by an innings and 222 runs in 1st Test against Sri Lanka "I'm tired," Mokoka, a three-times Olympian, said. "It's a long way and I don't know how I'm going to feel later, but I enjoyed it." Ethiopia's Amelework Fikadu Bosho dominated the women's race to finish in a time of 3:04:58, nearly four minutes ahead of the rest but 34 seconds short of the world record.

South Africa's Stephen Mokoka creates history, breaks world record in first 50km race

The 1956 Olympic bronze medallist, former world 1500m and mile record-holder John Landy has died at the age of 91.

The Australian, born in Melbourne in 1930, is best known for becoming the second man in history to break four minutes for the mile.

His 3:58.0 clocking in Turku in June 1954 broke the iconic mark of 3:59.4 achieved just six weeks earlier by Roger Bannister.

Landy's generosity of spirit and interest in others was one of his notable character traits. It was augmented by an uncanny memory for names and faces.

This generosity famously extended to giving advice to Ireland's Ron Delany, who defeated Landy in the 1500m at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

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Landy was Australian champion on five occasions - taking gold over 800yards, one mile and three miles. He was inducted into the Athletics Australia Hall of Fame in 2004. Its luncheon series is named in his honour.

He was a proud and respected member of Athletics International. He became a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1955 and received the Australian Sports Medal in 2000.

A year later he received the Centenary Medal and was made a Companion of the Order of Australia.

Landy was governor of Victoria from 1 January 2001 to 7 April 2006. He was the final runner in the Queen`s Baton Relay at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, receiving the baton from Olympic teammate and fellow state governor Marjorie Nelson, and delivering it to Queen Elizabeth II.

A passionate naturalist, photographer and environmentalist, he was author of two books - Close to Nature (1984) and A Coastal Diary (1993).

He was a lifelong butterfly collector, donating his collection to the Australian Museum in Sydney in 2018."Our world is poorer without John Landy in it," said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe in a statement on Saturday.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympic-silver-medallist-mirabai-chanu-qualifies-for-commonwealth-games-2022-with-a-golden-lift-456805">Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu qualifies for Commonwealth Games 2022 with a golden lift</a>

"I was privileged to know him well. He was a charming, kind and decent man who just happened to be one of the great pioneers of the golden age of middle-distance running in the 1950s."

"He maintained his huge enthusiasm for athletics right to the end and was one of its great ambassadors. Our sport owes him a huge debt. I am deeply saddened by his passing and, on behalf of World Athletics, I send my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and to the wider athletics community for whom he was such a beloved figure," Coe added.

The 1956 Olympic bronze medallist, former world 1500m and mile record-holder John Landy has died at the age of 91. The Australian, born in Melbourne in 1930, is best known for becoming the second man in history to break four minutes for the mile.

The 1956 Olympic bronze medallist, former world 1500m and mile record-holder John Landy has died at the age of 91. The Australian, born in Melbourne in 1930, is best known for becoming the second man in history to break four minutes for the mile. His 3:58.0 clocking in Turku in June 1954 broke the iconic mark of 3:59.4 achieved just six weeks earlier by Roger Bannister. Landy's generosity of spirit and interest in others was one of his notable character traits. It was augmented by an uncanny memory for names and faces. This generosity famously extended to giving advice to Ireland's Ron Delany, who defeated Landy in the 1500m at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. ALSO READ: Roberto Firmino set to miss EPL final against Chelsea, Diogo Jota's participation hangs in balance Landy was Australian champion on five occasions - taking gold over 800yards, one mile and three miles. He was inducted into the Athletics Australia Hall of Fame in 2004. Its luncheon series is named in his honour. He was a proud and respected member of Athletics International. He became a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1955 and received the Australian Sports Medal in 2000. A year later he received the Centenary Medal and was made a Companion of the Order of Australia. Landy was governor of Victoria from 1 January 2001 to 7 April 2006. He was the final runner in the Queen`s Baton Relay at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, receiving the baton from Olympic teammate and fellow state governor Marjorie Nelson, and delivering it to Queen Elizabeth II. A passionate naturalist, photographer and environmentalist, he was author of two books - Close to Nature (1984) and A Coastal Diary (1993). He was a lifelong butterfly collector, donating his collection to the Australian Museum in Sydney in 2018."Our world is poorer without John Landy in it," said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe in a statement on Saturday. ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu qualifies for Commonwealth Games 2022 with a golden lift "I was privileged to know him well. He was a charming, kind and decent man who just happened to be one of the great pioneers of the golden age of middle-distance running in the 1950s." "He maintained his huge enthusiasm for athletics right to the end and was one of its great ambassadors. Our sport owes him a huge debt. I am deeply saddened by his passing and, on behalf of World Athletics, I send my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and to the wider athletics community for whom he was such a beloved figure," Coe added.

1956 Olympic bronze medallist John Landy passes away at the age of 91

Fans deprived of live athletics action were treated to a mini pole vaulting competition on Friday (June 12) as German Torben Blech won the Flight Night event at a drive-in cinema in Duesseldorf, Germany.

Fans get to watch as Blech stars in drive-in pole vaulting event

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