OSAKA, Japan, May 7: Olympic champion Justin Gatlin stormed to victory in the men’s 100 metres at the Japan Grand Prix on Saturday. The American clocked 10.15 seconds to edge out compatriot Brian Lewis and Obadele Thompson of Barbados in the IAAF meeting, though he failed to beat Maurice Greene’s season-best 10.03.
“Overall it was a good opener,” said Gatlin. “Hopefully, I can continue like this. It was my first race but I feel good and I think I can get better and better.”
China’s Olympic gold medallist Liu Xiang set the fastest time of the year in the men’s 110 metres hurdles as he raced to an easy win in 13.12.
Teenage prodigy Allyson Felix won the women’s 100 metres in 11.30 ahead of fellow American Angela Daigle.
Results
Men’s
100m: 1. Justin Gatlin (United States) 10.15 2. Brian Lewis (United States) 10.28 3. Obadele Thompson (Barbados) 10.30
400m Hurdles: 1. James Carter (United States) 48.42 2. Ian Weakley (Jamaica) 48.58 3. Kenji Narisako (Japan) 48.71
3000m Steeplechase: 1. Wesley Kiprotich (Kenya) 8:17.31 2. Richard Matelong (Kenya) 8:17.60 3. Julius Nyamu (Kenya) 8:19.83
4 x 100m Relay: 1. International Team 39.69 2. Japan B 40.21 3. Japan 40.24 Men’s Pole Vault 1. Dmitri Markov (Australia) 5.75 2. Brad Walker (United States) 5.75 3. Daichi Sawano (Japan) 5.70