Jamaica’s Yanique Thompson, Britany Anderson and national champion Megan Tapper all progressed to the semi-finals of the women’s 100 metres hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics Saturday morning (Friday night Jamaica time).

Anderson won Heat Four, with both Thompson and Tapper finishing second in Heat Three and Four respectively to advance. 

The top four athletes from each heat earn an automatic spot, with the next four fastest times in the five preliminary round heats, getting the remaining spots in the semi-finals, which will take place on Sunday as the final will be contested on Tuesday.

Anderson, in lane nine, got a good start, but clipped the second hurdle and lost her balance momentarily, before recovering to gradually pass rivals. She, however, left it late to get by Christina Clemons of the United States (US).

Anderson did 12.67 seconds with Clemons doing 12.91. The other automatic qualifiers were Luca Kozak of Hungary, who did 12.97 seconds and Pedrya Seymour of the Bahamas, who finished in 13.04.

Thompson, in lane eight, got a poor start and continued to pass other rivals on the way to the 10th and final hurdle and then in the final metres got by Pia Skrzyszowska of Poland to finish second in 12.74 seconds.

Nigerian Tobi Amusan won in 12.72, with Skrzyszowska doing 12.75. The fourth automatic qualifier from the heat was Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas who did 12.84.

Meanwhile, Tapper got a good start but was always behind Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of the USA. Camacho-Quinn clocked 12.41 seconds with Tapper doing a personal best of 12.53 as completing the automatic qualifiers were Anne Zagre of Belgium who did a season best of 12.83 and Tiffany Porter of Great Britain, who was timed in 12.85.