ARIZONA, United States (CMC) — Olympic 400 metres champion Kirani James posted his fastest season opener and the current world-leading time of 44.31 seconds in the 400 metres at the Sun Angel Track Classic here on Saturday.

The Grenadian quarter-miler was a class act in the men’s 400m, which also featured another Grenadian Bralin Taplin and Deon Lendore of Trinidad & Tobago.

Both athletes competed for Texas A&M University where Grenadian Alleyne Francique is an assistant track coach.

James, who will be facing LaShawn Merritt next week, never underestimated his Caribbean contenders. He was slow over the first 150 metres, gauging Taplin and Lendore, before pulling away into the home straight.

Taplin was second in a personal best and collegiate leading time of 44.89 and Lendore finished third in 45.18.

James and Merritt will renew their rivalry next Friday at the Drakes Relay, a preview to this summer’s IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.