Weighty American Samoa sprinter Savannah Sanitoa lit up Sunday's early morning heat's at the world championships in Berlin - despite finishing over three seconds behind the heat winners in the 100 metres.
To say that Sanitoa is the new Eric "the Eel" Moussambani would be misleading. The 22-year-old sprinter was third slowest in the first round heats after producing a time of 14.23 secs.
She finished 0.16 secs outside her personal best set in 2003, when she also threw a life time best of 32.41 metres in the javelin.
The slowest time of the day in Sunday's heats belonged to Tioiti Katutu of Kiribati, a pacific nation made up of low-lying atolls. Katutu ran 14.38 secs.
Afghan runner Robina Muqim Yaa, who was second slowest with 14.24 secs, made history at the Athens Games in 2004 when the 18-year-old became the first 100 metres runner to compete for her country.
She ran 14.14 that day, a national record, and as she crossed the line wearing a t-shirt she raised her arms triumphantly.
Meanwhile, at the business end of the sprint heats in Berlin, American Carmelita Jeter was fastest in qualifying in 11.22 seconds, with none of the favorites for Monday's final in trouble on another sunny day at the Olympic Stadium.
Jamaica had three runners in the top seven while the third American, Muna Lee, was 17th.
Three to beat
Tioiti Katutu (KRB) 14.38
Robina Muqim Yaar (AFG) 14.24
Savannah Sanitoa (ASA) 14.23
