Sha’Carri vs Shelly Ann, Kerley vs Omanyala: 5 Key Battles at the 2023 World Athletics Champs

• The 2023 World Athletics Championships are here
• The nine-day will see some of the world's best track and field athletes go head-to-head
• Sports Brief looks at the five key battles at the event in Budapest, Hungary

The 2023 World Athletics Championships gets underway this weekend, and for nine straight days, world-class track and field athletes from all over the world will contest for the medals.

There are some mouth-watering duels that will take place at the event, especially on the track. Kenyans and Ethiopians have some scores to settle, while Americans, Canadians, and Jamaicans will battle for in the short races.

The 2023 athletics season has been incredible so far, and it will reach a crescendo in Budapest, Hungary. Most of the top names will participate in the events in the nine-day showpiece.

Therefore, Sports Brief looks at the five key battles that will go down in Budapest.

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Athletics

Top 5 battles at World Athletics Champs

Women's 200m - Gabby Thomas v Shericka Jackson

The women's 200m, just like other short races, has been a battle between Americans and Jamaicans in the last few years. The 200m women's world record of 21.34 seconds has stood since 1988. Jackson is the reigning world champion, while Thomas is the Olympic bronze medallist.

Thomas has the world-leading time this year. She ran 21.60 in the USA national trials. Meanwhile, Jackson is second after clocking 21.71 in the Jamaican national championships. When the two faced off at the Monaco Diamond League, Jackson obliterated Thomas to finish first, while the American faded to 7th.

Sha'Carri Richardson, Julien Alfred, Kayla White, and Dina Asher-Smith will also fancy their chances at the World Athletics Championships.

Men's 300m Steeplechase - Soufiane El Bakkali vs Lamecha Girma

Olympic and reigning 3000m Steeplechase world champion Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali and Ethiopian Lamecha Girma will face off in Budapest in one of the most anticipated races. The Kenyans' era of dominance was ended by El Bakkali at the 2022 World Athletics Champ[ionships in Oregon.

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Athletics

20-year-old Kenyan Simon Kiprop Koech, Getnet Wale, Abraham Kibiwot, and Leonard Kipkemoi Bett will look to challenge the two.

Women's 1500m - Kipyegon v Hassan

Faith Kipyegon is the queen of 1500m. She is a defending Olympic and world champ[ion in the distance, and barring any injury or illness, it is hard to fathom anyone beating the Kenyan, who is also the world record holder, per NBC Sports.

Sifan Hassan is her closest rival, but Kipyegon has beaten her multiple times in the distance.

Women's 100m - Fraser-Pryce vs. Richardson vs Ta Lou

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has won the women's 100m five times, and at 36, she's looking to cement her status as one of the greatest sprinters of all time. She hasn't raced a lot this year, but it would be silly to rule her out. Ivorian Marie-Josee Ta Lou is the best woman in the 100m this season.

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Athletics

Her compatriot Jackson (10.65), Sha’Carri Richardson (10.71), and in-form Ta Lou (10.75) are the fastest women this season.

It will be an unpredictable race.

Men's 100m - Kerley vs Lyles vs Omanyala vs Coleman

The men's 100m is the most anticipated race at the event. A Jamaican or an America has won the men's since St Kitts and Nevis Kim Collins won in 2003. Fred Kerley is the reigning champion and is considered the main contender.

Zharnel Huges is the fastest man this year, and we should expect fireworks at the race. Other contenders are Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala, Cravont Charleston, 2019 world champion Christian Coleman, Noah Lyles, Akani Simbine, Emmanuel Eseme, and Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs.

Kerley and Lyles exchange words

Sports Brief earlier reported on Lyles and Kerley exchanging words in Budapest ahead of the 100m showdown.

The 'Big Two' appeared before reporters on August 18 in a Team USA press conference, with Kerley warning his compatriot that the 100m title was his.

Lyles fired back with a brutal response.