Kiwi speedster Zoe Hobbs has further consolidated her spot among the world's top female sprinters with a new national record of 10.96s at the Resisprint international, Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland.
Hobbs, 25, shaved one-hundredth of a second off her previous best, set at Sydney in March, winning her heat, before taking out the final four hours later. Her tailwind of 2m/s was on the limit allowable for records purposes.
In the final, Hobbs clocked 11.13s to edge Gambian Gina Bass (11.18s), while Kiwi Tiaan Whelpton set a personal best of 10.14s to finish third in the men's event, won by Cameroon's Emamanuel Eseme in 9.96s.
"When I saw the time come up I couldn't believe it," said Hobbs. "I didn't think I would run that time, especially given the conditions.
"It was 15 degrees at the time of that race, with a 20-minute delay leading into the start. The wind was all over the shop, with head and tail winds.
"I'm absolutely stoked to have done the [Olympic] qualifier time early. It takes a massive weight off my shoulders and makes a big difference leading into the rest of the season.
"I don't have to chase the time now. I can focus on what I need to in the lead up to the world champs."
To qualify for Paris 2024, Hobbs needed to beat 11.07s after July 1, 2023.
Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games high jump champion Hamish Kerr has achieved his first victory on the prestigious Diamond League circuit, clearing 2.24m to win at Stockholm.
While the height was well below his 2.31m best in rainy conditions, Kerr, 26, he claimed the scalps of some of the world's best exponents, including current Olympic champion Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Australian rival Brandon Starc.
Kerr cleared 2.12m, 2.16m and 2.20m on his first attempts, and was the only athlete to clear 2.24m on his second attempt, before taking one attempt at 2.30m, then retiring. Belgian Thomas Carmoy was second with 2.20m.
At the same event, Geordie Beamish became the second-fastest Kiwi over 3000m steeplechase, clocking 8m 17.36s to finish fourth. The national record is 8m 14.05s by Peter Renner, set in 1984.
