Reigning Commonwealth Games champion Akani Simbine and Jose Maria Ta Lou finished with the fastest times during the heats for the 100m event at the ongoing CAA African Senior Athletics Championship at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.

South African sprinter Simbine won Heat 4 in the men’s 100m with a time of 10.30s ahead of Comoros star Riffayn Ambdoul Karim (10.48s), Mark Odhiambo of Kenya (10.61s) and Enoch Adegoke of Nigeria (10.64s), while Ivorian Ta Lou easily took Heat 1 of the women’s 100m in 11.25s ahead of Ghanaian sprinter Janet Amposah (11.63s) and Cassidy Williamson of South Africa (11.79s).

Seye Ogunlewe, a three-time Nigerian Champion, dominated Heat 6 with a time of 10.42s ahead of Namibian sprinter Gilbert Maseko who finished in 10.44s.

Defending Champion and one of the favourites, Ben Youssef Meite of Ivory Coast, also won his heat as he returned a time of 10.41s to win Heat 1 ahead of 2012 Champion Simon Magakwe of South Africa (10.42s) and Nigeria’s Ogho-Oghene Egwero (10.52s).

In the women’s 100m event, South African sprinter Tebogo Mamatu (11.90s) took Heat 2, while Nigeria’s Joy Udo-Gabriel won Heat 3 in 11.64s ahead of Gambian star Gina Bass (11.74s).

Egypt’s Basant Hemida (11.60s) emerged Heat 4 winner in the women’s event ahead of Nigerian sprinter Mercy Ntia-Obong (11.66s) and Halutie Hor of Ghana (11.77s).