ZURICH, (Reuters) – World 100 metres champion Yohan Blake ran a personal best of 9.82 seconds at the Zurich Diamond League meeting today in his first race since winning gold in Daegu.
Blake captured the world title after fellow-Jamaican and defending champion Usain Bolt false-started in the final.
Cuba’s world record holder Dayron Robles, stripped of the gold medal in Daegu for impeding Chinese Liu Xiang, won the 110 metres hurdles and 19-year-old world champion Kirani James of Grenada defeated Lashawn Merritt again to win the 400 metres.
Asafa Powell, who missed the world championships through injury, was first out of the blocks in the 100 metres but compatriot Blake caught him by the halfway stage and charged away for a comfortable win.
Powell was second in 9.95 seconds and American world silver medallist Walter Dix a distant third in 10.04. Bolt did not compete.
“I ran a perfect race, the future looks good for me. I’m looking forward to the Olympics next year,” said Blake.
“I’m not looking at the world record, I’m just looking for medals.”
Ezekiel Kemboi in the 3,000 metres steeplechase was another world champion to win but his Kenyan team mate Asbel Kisprop was less impressive as he finished seventh in the 1,500 metres won by Nixon Chepseba.
Other world champions to win were Vivian Cheruiyot in the women’s 5,000 metres and Russian Mariya Savinova in the women’s 800 metres.
Cheruiyot held off a brave challenge from fellow Kenyan Sally Kipyego while Savinova won with a late charge over the last 300 metres.
Carmelita Jeter, 100 metres world champion, won the women’s 200 metres, the event where she won silver in Daegu, and Australian Sally Pearson against demolished the field in the 100 metres hurdles.
