Gatlin clinches 100m trials to raise prospects for a final tilt at Bolt
Blake, Thompson blaze the tracks in Jamaican trials
Justin Gatlin stormed to victory in the 100m at the US world championship trials on Friday, upstaging rising star Christian Coleman and setting up the prospect of one final duel with Usain Bolt.
The 35-year-old Gatlin turned on the gas in the final 20 metres at Sacramento’s Hornet Stadium to reel in Coleman for a convincing win in 9.95 sec.
“It was just a fighting moment,” Gatlin said of his victory.
“It wasn’t the spectacular time that you’ve seen me run in the past couple of years. But it was a time that I needed to fight. I had to make sure I was right there with him at the end and try and hold on with experience.”
Coleman, 21, had been tipped as the likeliest US rival to Bolt at August’s World Championships after clocking the fastest time in the world this year, a blistering 9.82 sec. But Coleman — who hours earlier had inked a sevenfigure sponsorship deal with Nike — was put firmly in his place by the veteran Gatlin, finishing in 9.98 sec. Christopher Belcher was third in 10.06 sec. Asked if he felt Gatlin still ‘had it’, Coleman replied: “He never lost it!”
“I was just honoured to be in the race and I’m looking forward to many more,” Coleman said. Gatlin meanwhile was left delighted after clinching his ticket to London — and another potential showdown with Bolt.
“It feels great,” said Gatlin, who has registered only one victory over Bolt in his career.
In Kingstown, Jamaica, Elaine Thompson lowered her world-leading time in the 100 meters at the Jamaican Track and Field Championships Friday, while former world champ Yohan Blake roared to his fastest time in five years.
Thompson clocked a 10.71 seconds to win the women’s 100m and Blake did likewise in the men’s 100m with a blazing time of 9.90 seconds.
On a cool evening at Kingston’s iconic National Stadium, the two provided the star power with the absence of Jamaican Olympic heroes Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
Blake is making a comeback after several years on the sidelines with injuries. His time was his fastest since 2012 when he ran 9.69 seconds in Lausanne.
Julian Forte was second in 10.04 seconds after running a career best 9.99 seconds in the semi-finals, while Senoj-Jay Givans booked his first spot on a senior national team by placing third in 10.05 seconds.