KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Usain Bolt recovered from a stumbling start to beat rivals Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake in the 100 metres at the inaugural Racers Grand Prix here Saturday night.
The reigning World and Olympic champion staggered from the blocks but produced his now familiar mid-race acceleration to storm back to cross the line first in a season-best 9.88 seconds – the second fastest time in the world this year.
Such was Bolt’s confidence that he eased up ten metres before the line, as fellow Jamaicans Nickel Ashmeade and Yohan Blake finished second and third respectively in the same time of 9.94 seconds.
Former World record holder Asafa Powell clocked 9.98 seconds for fourth, marking the first time this year that the top four dipped below the 10-second barrier.
Bolt said afterward the race had not been his best but was still pleased with the eventual time.
“I’m happy I got a season best. It wasn’t a perfect race but the key thing is that I actually won and that’s a good thing and I came out injury-free,” Bolt said.
“It’s all about execution sometimes and even if you don’t get it you have to be strong, composed and just run through the line.”
In the corresponding women’s sprint, reigning Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce rebounded from her nightmare last-place finish in Eugene, to take victory in a time of 11.09 seconds.
She was pushed all the way by American Barbara Pierre who finished second in 11.11 seconds while Trinidadian Kelly-Ann Baptiste trailed in third in 11.15 seconds.
“It has been a long season and an uphill battle and the pain is there, but the mind is strong,” a pleased Fraser-Pryce said. “I came out here and just wanted to have a good run and I was really excited about that.”
Meanwhile, World 400 metres silver medallist, Bahamian Shaunae Miller, stormed to a new national record in the 200 metres when she dismissed her field in a time of 22.05 seconds – the third fastest time in the world this year.
The 22-year-old came off the final turn trailing the fleet-footed American Jenna Prandini but surged past her rival over the last 80 metres to reach the finish unchallenged.
Prandini was second in 22.39 seconds with Jamaican Audra Segree third in 22.89.
