Bolt beats Gatlin to win 100m gold at Athletics Worlds

Bolt has now won 10 of 11 individual global sprint titles since 2008, with the only blip occurring when he false-started in the 100m final at the 2011 world championships.

Usain Bolt reaffirmed his status as athletics’ biggest superstar by beating Justin Gatlin in Beijing to claim a third World Championships 100 metres title.

As CNN worldwide noted, “although Bolt had won six of the seven races between the pair over the years, Gatlin was unbeaten in 28 races and boasted the fastest time (9.74 seconds) of any sprinter this year”.

In a dead heat for third, Trayvon Bromell of the United States and Andre De Grasse of Canada shared bronze in 9.911 seconds.

There was a surreal moment before the final when “the world’s fastest piano player” was brought out to play a tune for 9.58 seconds – Bolt’s world record time.

Ahead of Sunday’s final, letsrun.com reported that sports book officially had Gatlin as the favourite. This time, it was Gatlin who tripped in the race.

Gatlin’s phenomenal improvement at the age of 33 had clouded his stature and the former world and Olympic champion had maintained a defiant attitude to his critics.

The race began with Gatlin taking the lead with powerful strides while Bolt made sure the American could not establish an unconquerable lead.

Ennis-Hill became a mother for the first time 13 months ago, and had originally intended for 2015 to be a “transition” year to prepare for the defence of the Olympic title in Rio de Janeiro. I did my punishment.

“It took me a while to figure out what was the problem and get it together”.

“I feel good”, the 33-year-old American said after the defeat.

He faced the toughest race of the career with Justin Gatlin as the competitor, one who was on top of the world list, undefeated and seemingly-invincible.

Gatlin, just like in his semi-final earlier, was given a mixed reception by the crowd in Beijing after serving two different doping suspensions.

Returning from the poor form and the pelvic injury that has hampered this year to win “was a big deal”, he added.

The confident swagger ahead of the race immediately changed into a disgusted shaking of the head after the early error nearly cost him the final. “I just stumbled. I really don’t know what happened”. “On the last five metres, I kind of stumbled a bit”, said the 2004 Olympic gold medallist in the 100m. But as they approached the line, Gatlin lost his balance while Bolt kept his nerve.

“I think I hit my foot too hard”, Bolt said.

“Bolt in the Bird’s Nest proved, without a doubt, that he is the greatest!” declared Olivia Grange, the Opposition spokesperson on sports, culture and gender affairs.