American clocks 9.75s for gold at Swiss Diamond League with Jamaican Asafa and Tyson finishing second and third
Lausanne: American Justin Gatlin reinforced his credentials as favourite for next month's world championships by powering to an impressive victory in the 100m at the Diamond League meet in Lausanne on Thursday.
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Gatlin, starting in lane number four, held his form and powered through the second part of the race at the Stade de la Pontaise with his traditional late drive, clocking 9.75 seconds, just one-hundredth off his world-leading time set in Doha in May.
US Gold medalist Justin Gatlin celebrates his victory in the men’s 100m at the Hungarian Grand Prix recently. PIC/AFP
Jamaican Asafa Powell finished second in 9.92sec, with American Tyson Gay in third on the same time.
"I love this track! Last year I ran 9.79sec, this year there was more competition with Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell," said Gatlin, who extended his undefeated run of races to 26 since August 2013.
"It's always good to face the best, it's like a heavyweight boxing match." Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic 100m champion who consequently served two doping bans before nailing the 2012 world 60m indoor title, Olympic bronze at the London Games and a world silver in Moscow a year later added: "I've been wanting to go faster. During the race I was in my zone and it felt really great.
"I'm happy for Tyson as well. One of my big objectives is the American record."
Jamaican world and Olympic champion Usain Bolt, also the world record holder, had been due to race the 200m in the Swiss city but pulled out with a pelvic injury.
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