BEIJING, China, Sporting Alert – Usain Bolt secured his third World Championships 100m gold medal after pipping Justin Gatlin in Beijing on Sunday.
The world record holder posted a time of 9.79 seconds, a season’s best and he timed the performance to perfection, revealing afterwards that he was never worried about his ability to defend his crown.
BBC Sports’ commentator Steve Cram said: “He’s saved his title, he’s saved his reputation, he may have even saved his sport.
Gatlin Couldn’t Managed The Pressure
Pre-world championships favourite Gatlin fell apart in the closing metres of the race after feeling the pressure from Bolt on his outside and had to settle for the silver medal in 9.80 secs.
Gatlin came into the medal race as the firm favourite after running 9.77 seconds in the semi-finals, but he was unable to duplicate that performance in the final.
The world leader got out to a good start, but so too did Bolt, who put the American under pressure with his lightning finish, which ultimately contributed to his rival losing his composure towards the end as he stumbled across the finishing line.
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There was a double take for third place with Andre De Grasse (CAN) and Trayvon Bromell (USA) sharing the bronze medal after both sprinters crossed the line in 9.92 seconds, a time that is a new personal best for the Canadian star.
All Wrong Again For Asafa Powell
American Mike Rodgers also went below the 10 seconds barrier, running 9.94 for fifth place, with his countryman Tyson Gay and Jamaican Asafa Powell both running 10 seconds flat for sixth and seventh, respectively.
It was yet another disappointing championships performance for Powell, as he failed in his bid again to secure a major crown.
Ennis-Hill Dominates The Multi
Meanwhile, Great Britain’s Jessica Ennis-Hill claimed the women’s heptathlon title after tallying a season’s best 6669 points.
The Olympic champion, who only decided to travel to the championships a few weeks before the start of the meet, admits that she would have been happy with a medal of any colour.
Ennis-Hill was delighted after crossing the finishing line in the final event, the 800m, and she praised her supporting cast, including her husband, for their efforts in getting her ready for the championships.
Canada’s Brianne Theisen-Eaton won the silver medal with a tally of 6554 points, with the bronze medal going to Laura Ikauniece-Admidiņa of Latvia in a national record, 6516pts.
