Justin Gatlin wins 100 at Prefontaine Classic
Justin Gatlin considers himself an antsy person, finding it hard to wait early in the season for the fast times he hopes to have later in the year.
“Worry about those later when they count the most,” he said.
The 34-year-old American sprinter had no time goal coming into 100 metres in the Prefontaine Classic and came away with the victory in 9.88 seconds at Hayward Field.
Jamaica’s Asafa Powell was second in 9.94, and American Tyson Gay third in 9.98.
The 2004 Olympic champion in the 100, Gatlin won at the meet for the sixth time. Trying to stay focused on his race and his lane, he had a solid start and didn’t give up the lead after taking it early on.
Gatlin will return to Hayward in early July for the US Olympic Trials, with hopes of qualifying for the American team that will compete in Rio de Janeiro.
Gatlin admits that he’s an older athlete who’s “not about letting excitement dictate how I’m going to run and perform.”
“I’ve got to run smarter,” Gatlin said. “I’ve got to make sure that I put the right races out there, be precise each race. So, by the time I get to the Olympics, hopefully run in the finals, I’ll be able to do what I can do and hopefully bring home a gold to America.”
It was a meet filled with records on the women’s side.
Bahrain’s Ruth Jebet set Hayward, meet and Asian records in the 3,000 steeplechase in 8:59.97, edging Kenya’s Hyvin Kiyeng (9:00.01), who broke the African record.
Jebet ran the second-fastest time ever, missing the world record by 1.16 seconds. Emma Coburn set an American record, taking third in 9:10.76.
Kenya’s Faith Chepnget Kipyegon won the 1,500 in 3:56.41, the fastest time ever in the United States.
Asbel Kiprop of Kenya won the prestigious and meet-ending Bowerman men’s mile in 3:51.54, leading 11 other competitors under the 4-minute barrier.
In the 400, Grenada’s Kirani James beat American LaShawn Merritt in what has become an annual showdown at the Prefontaine.
The 23-year-old James had the better kick Saturday, winning in 44.22 to take the race for the third straight year. Merritt, 29, was second in 44.39.