Anavia Battle continued her impressive run of form this season, storming to victory in the women’s 200 meters at the 2025 Rome Diamond League meeting on Friday evening.
The American sprinter clocked a swift 22.53 seconds, securing her third career Diamond League win and reaffirming her status as one of the top sprinters to watch this year.
Coming into the race with a personal best of 21.95, Anavia Battle showcased her trademark finishing strength. Despite a competitive field and a closely contested curve, Anavia Battle powered ahead in the final 50 meters to improve on her season’s best of 22.38.
Great Britain’s Amy Hunt delivered an inspired performance from lane eight, finishing second in a season’s best 22.67. The 22-year-old held her form well down the home straight to claim the runner-up spot.
Côte d’Ivoire’s sprint veteran Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith, running just her second 200m of the season, crossed the line third in 22.75, her fastest time of the year. Ta Lou-Smith, who boasts a personal best of 22.08, looked sharp around the bend but couldn’t match Battle’s surge over the final stretch.
Fellow American McKenzie Long took fourth in 22.81, with Liberia’s Maia McCoy completing the top five in 22.91.
Elsewhere, Italy’s Dalia Kaddari and Spain’s Paula Sevilla both posted 23.12, with Sevilla matching her season’s best.
