Tori Bowie, long-jumper turned speed queen, eyes sprint double
The American shelved the long jump watching the 200m at London Olympics, thinking she could do well in sprints. She now has a chance at the double.
As a 21-year-old long jumper who had missed the US trials with injury, Tori Bowie sat at home in Sand Hill, Mississippi watching the 200 metres final at the London Olympics on television and in a Eureka moment, said to her grandmother: "I really think I can beat those ladies."
Five years on, in the very same stadium on Sunday night, Bowie brought her prediction to life by becoming world 100 metres champion - and she is already thinking of a golden double.
Still, the 26-year-old could never have credited the dramatic fashion in which she was to win the title on Sunday night, chasing down Josee Ta Lou, of the Ivory Coast, dipping perfectly at the line before losing her balance and falling flat on her face.
Having done well to avoid what could have been a nasty injury, she rose to look faintly amazed that she had won in 10.85 seconds to join compatriot Justin Gatlin as a shock sprint winner as the US celebrated its first 100 metres double since 2005.
Bowie: "I have a few cuts but I'll be ready for the 200m"
"The dive doesn't feel too good now," said Bowie. "But that has saved me at championships in the past. I never give up until I'm over the line.
"Ta Lou went away fast but she always does. It didn't bother me and I just kept pumping my legs and arms until the finish. I have a few cuts but I'll be ready for the 200m. I'm not afraid of what is to come."
Her opponents are increasingly learning to fear her, though.
This race was supposed to be all about the dominant Jamaican Elaine Thompson, who had comfortably defeated Bowie in their two previous meetings in last year's Olympic final and this summer's Diamond League race in Shanghai.
Bowie completes medal set
Yet while Thompson underperformed in a way she could not explain after a superb semi-final run, Bowie came on strong to underline the quality that she had also demonstrated in the Rio Games.
After winning silver in the 100m there and bronze in the 200m, she completed her set of medals with gold in the relay.
"Don't get me wrong," she said in an interview later. "I'm extremely content with my silver and bronze medals. But once I won the gold, I fell in love."
Now, she has her eyes trained on the 200m. "In the US trials, I ran four days in a row. I'm a little beaten up but at least I've got a couple of days rest here," she smiled.