Gatlin beats Ashmeade to win 100 at Gugl Games
LINZ, Austria (AP) — American sprinter Justin Gatlin overcame the rain and a challenge by Jamaica’s Nickel Ashmeade to win the 100 metres at the Gugl Games yesterday.
Gatlin, beaten for the world title by Usain Bolt in Moscow earlier this month, was the fastest starter but saw his lead narrowed by Ashmeade, who won a relay gold with Jamaica at the Worlds. The American clocked 10.08 seconds to beat Ashmeade by 0.09. Keston Bledman of Trinidad and Tobago trailed Gatlin by 0.19 in third.
“Today my legs were tired,” said Gatlin, who announced before the race he was going to attack the track record of 9.92. However, he failed to seriously threaten the 19-year-old mark.
“I promise I’ll break the Gugl record next year,” he said.
The field of the European Athletics meet included 11 current or former Olympic gold medallists and four reigning world champions, but the wet conditions and low temperatures prevented them from posting outstanding results.
World record-holder Aries Merritt of the United States beat 2008 Olympic champion Dayron Robles by 0.23 to take the 110-metre hurdles in 13.26. Mikel Thomas of Trinidad and Tobago was another 0.02 back in third.
Olympic pole vault champion Renaud Lavillenie of France, had no valid attempt as the competition was won by his younger brother Valentin, who had a best jump of 5.63 metres.
Russia’s Aleksandr Menkov lived up to expectations by easily winning the long jump. The Russian world champion’s best effort of 7.94-metre beat Britain’s Chris Tomlinson’s by 0.15.
On the women’s side, Olympic champion Sally Pearson of Australia won the 110-metre hurdles in 12.83, leading second-place Reina-Flor Okori of France by 0.35.
Barbara Pierre won the women’s 100-metre in 11.14 ahead of Charonda Williams and Alexandra Anderson to lead an American sweep of the podium.
World silver medallist Dalilah Muhammad of the United States took the 400-metre hurdles in 55.01, defeating Denisa Rosolova of Czech Republic by 0.26, and Natasha Hastings convincingly won the 400-metre in 50.92 to beat American teammate Jessica Beard by 0.72.
