STOCKHOLM, (Reuters) – American world champion Tyson Gay produced a storming run to win the men’s 100 metres in 9.79 seconds at the Stockholm Super Grand Prix.
Gay, who has been struggling with a groin injury, had an excellent start and finished a remarkable 0.16 ahead of his compatriot Davis Patton.
Former world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica had to settle for third place in 9.98. Gay’s time, run with a tailwind, was just 0.02 outside the world leading 9.77 he set in Rome earlier this month.
“It was a good race. We knew the wind was strong, this is evidence of how hot I am and it’s important for Berlin,” the 26-year-old told reporters. “The race felt good, and my finish was good. It was good considering I haven’t really trained recently,” said Gay in reference to the groin injury but added he had not felt any pain during the race, which was his last before next month’s world championships in Berlin. The double world champion’s clashes over 100 and 200 with Jamaican triple Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt are expected to be the highlight of the Aug. 15-23 meeting. “I haven’t raced against him (Bolt) since New York last year, so I’m looking forward to it,” Gay said.
American world champion Jeremy Wariner crushed all opposition in the men’s 400 metres. In the absence of Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt, Wariner clocked 44.83 for his fifth consecutive win at the meeting in the Swedish capital. Wariner slowed down as he approached the finish line, but still beat Michael Bingham of Britain by 0.66 seconds. American Kerron Clemont was third.
“It felt great. I was trying for a season’s best and it just gets better,” said Wariner, who will be bidding for his third consecutive world title next month. On a chilly evening with few upsets, Olympic champion Dayron Robles comfortably won the 110 metres hurdles.
The Cuban world record holder, running in the fourth lane, clocked 13.11 seconds after slowing down at the end of the race, 0.27 ahead of American Joel Brown in second place. American Allyson Felix, who will be bidding for her third successive world gold in Berlin, produced an awesome winning run in the women’s 200 metres, to set the fastest time this year and a stadium record of 21.88.
“It felt really good,” said Felix. “I wanted to work the curve and I did, it really worked.”
Swede Jesper Fritz and Ukraine’s Maksym Mazuryk pulled off one of the evening’s few surprises, tying for first place in the pole vault ahead of Olympic champion Steven Hooker.
Both Fritz and Mazuryk cleared 5.61 on earlier attempts than the Australian.
