by Larry EderOne of the exciting finds over the past few years in global athletics has been Marie-Jose Ta Lou. Truth is, Marie Jose has been on the scene since 2012, when she took 4th in the African Championships 100m (11.53), 3rd in the 200m (23.44) and 3rd on Ivorian 4x100m team (44.53), in Porto Novo, Benin. In 2019, Marie Jose Ta-Lou has emerged as a key player in the 100m and 200m, on the global stage.
Thanks to Rosa & Associati on their assistance.
Marie-Jose Ta Lou, photo by Photorun.net
Most of us found out about Marie-Jose Ta Lou at the rio 2016 Olympics. Marie-Jose Ta Lou took 4th in both the 100 (10.86) and 200m (22.21). More discerning track fans will recall Marie-Jose Ta Lou taking 7th in the 2016 Portland World Indoor Champs 60m, in 7.29.
Marie-Jose Ta Lou, Roma 2018, photo by PhotoRun.net
In 2017, Marie-Jose Ta Lou emerged from the global pack of women sprinters, as the one of the finest sprinters from C’ote D’Ivoire took 2nd in the 100m (10.86) and 2nd (22.08) in the 200m! Two medals for the C’ote D’Ivoire made Marie Jose a national treasure in the sport mad country, where opportunities for women athletes are fleeting. In the summer of 2017, Marie-Jose Ta Lou told the media at a British athletics event that she was both proud to be an African woman sprinter and that she was proud to train on the African continent (Senegal).
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce vs Marie Jose Ta Lou, Nike Pre Classic 2019, photo by PhotoRun.net
The Ivorian pocket rocket has developed quite a start, and she does not give up. Ms. Ta Lou battles the entire race, as her PBs of 10.85 and 22.08 attest.
This past winter, I watched Marie-Jose Ta Lou compete six times, beginning with a 7.15 opener in Torun, Poland on February 6, and ending, six 60m later, in a WL 7.02. What is her secret? Hard work, knowing herself and an extremely competivive persona.
Marie Jose Ta Lou, Lausanne 2019, photo by PhotoRun.net
If one goes to the instagam of Marie-Jose Ta Lou, which is Majatalou, one sees a woman who, it says is, BORN TO SHINE
GOD my rock. This post attests to that, https://www.instagram.com/p/B1lHQgnBKZQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link. Marie-Jose Ta Lou, at 31, is just hitting her global stride, and with Doha just weeks away, Marie-Jose Ta Lou looks ready to compete.
Thomspon, Ta Lou, Asher-Smith, Rome 2019, photo by PhotoRun.net
2019 has been a fine year, with a 10.93 at the 100m in Lausanne ( 5 July 2019) and a 22.36 at 200m in London DL on 20 July 2019. In Lausanne, Ms. Ta Lou noted “I am not really satisfied with my performance today. It is still a Season Best but I clearly stayed in the blocks at the start. I lost some focus and impulse due to the first false start. That Ìs a pitty but part of the race. I am going to Monaco and London next then will have a break of competition. I will go for another cycle of training in order to sharpen my fitness and speed for the world championships.”
Upon her finest 200m in some time, Marie-Jose Ta Lou noted that: “I’m happy. My 200m hasn’t been great for two years, so I’m working on that and happy with the time. I think she’s [Elaine THOMPSON] back! And it’s good for us because it’ll help us run really fast so I’m OK with that.”
Marie-Jose Ta Lou takes the 200m, Rome 2018, photo by PhotoRun.net
In the recent African Championships, Marie-Jose Ta Lou took the gold in the 100m in 11.09, and third in the 200m, in 23.00. The media reported her injured, but, in speaking with manager Federico Rosa, we found out that Marie-Jose Ta Lou suffered a cramp in the 200m. Marie-Jose Ta Lou had an MRI and there was, thankfully, no injury.
We look forward to seeing Marie-Jose Ta Lou battling the world, September 26-October 5, in Doha, Qatar.
To learn more about Marie-Jose Ta Lou, please enjoy this fine video from SPIKES magazine: https://youtu.be/52lSVAS8BYE
