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Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates after winning the men's 100 metres final during the world athletics championships at the Olympic stadium in Berlin August 16, 2009. [Xinhua] |
Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt of Jamaica set a new world record of 9.58 seconds as he stormed to a stunning victory in the men's 100m at the World Championships Sunday.
The 22-year-old Bolt took control of the race after only 30 meters, shaved 0.11 seconds off his own world record of 9.69 seconds set at the Beijing Olympic Games last year.
"I was ready, I was feeling good after the semifinals," Bolt said. "I knew it was going to be a great race and I came out and executed it. It's a great time. I did well and I feel good in myself."
American Tyson Gay, the defending champion, finished second in a U.S. national record of 9.71 seconds and another Jamaican Asafa Powell, a former world record holder, took the bronze in 9.84.
"I made sure if I ran a good perfect race, there was no worries," Bolt said.
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Usain Bolt of Jamaica shows his shoes after winning the men's 100 metres final during the world athletics championships at the Olympic stadium in Berlin August 16, 2009. [Xinhua] |
Gay, who won three gold medals at Osaka 2007, had a miserable Olympic Games last year. He was not satisfied with the results.
"I did my best," said Gay. "I did good. It just wasn't good enough."
Two of the day's other three gold medals were also won by reigning Olympic champions.
Russia's Olga Kaniskina, who braved heavy rain last year in Beijing, became the first woman in history to retain walk titles at the worlds in front of the historic Brandenburg Gate.
Olive Loughnane of Ireland surprised all to win the silver with China's Liu Hong making up for the frustration of finishing four at last summer's Olympic Games by taking the bronze.
New Zealand's Valerie Vili, also Olympic champion and title holder, had her global domination of women's shot put continued.
Vili finished with 20.44 meters, comfortably ahead of silver medallist, German Nadine Kleinert, who threw a career best 20.20m,and China's bronze medallist Gong Lijao, who managed a personal best of 19.89m.
Jessica Ennis made up for her disappointment for missing last year's Olympic Games due to injury. She led all the way to win Britain's first ever heptathlon gold at the World Championships.
Ennis collected 6,731 points, 238 clear of Germany's Jennifer Oeser. Kamila Chudzik of Poland was third with Olympic champion Nataliya Dobrynska in fourth.
"It's been the longest two days of my life but the best," Ennis said. "I can't believe it. I'm the world champion, I feel like crying.
"I've dreamt so many times about winning medals and becoming world champion, doing a lap of honor. It's the best feeling in the world. It's amazing."
(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2009)
