KINGSTON, Jamaica – Usain Bolt’s championship pedigree made the difference as he upstaged faltering Justin Gatlin in the men’s 100metre final at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Bolt, who also won world 100m titles in 2009 and 2013, endured a checkered run-in to the Beijing championships due to injury concerns.

But, Bolt saved his best for the final where he ran 9.79 seconds, just ahead of the in-form American Gatlin (9.80s), who tightened at the death as the Jamaican world record holder surged through the line.

Canada’s Andre de Grasse and America’s Trayvon Bromell tied for bronze with 9.92s.

“He [Gatlin] lost complete composure, he cracked under the pressure and Bolt with his championship mettle maintained his composure and got to him at the line,” track and field analyst Leighton Levy told the OBSERVER ONLINE.

Gatlin, 33, entered the competition with times this year of 9.74s; 9.75s twice; and 9.78s. In the semi-finals, two hours before the dramatic finale, Gatlin was smoothness personified as he executed efficiently from start to finish, clocking 9.77s.

On the other hand, Bolt, whose previous best this season was 9.87s, stumbled just after leaving the starting blocks in his semi-final, but recovered to win in 9.96s.

It left little question as to who was favourite to snatch the gold.

But Levy had another take.

He said Bolt’s competitive and athletic abilities and good level of fitness were brought to the fore in the semis.

“The semi-final proved that he [Bolt] was in good shape. When you saw that he came out of the blocks and then stumbled and he lost all momentum, he almost fell on his face. He still ran 9.96 and that told me he was in 9.6 shape because he would have lost two to three tenths of a second in that recovery. Clearly he is back in shape, but what he lacks is race sharpness,” the respected track and field journalist explained.

Levy argued that Bolt’s achievement further reinforces the broad belief that the Jamaican is the finest sprinter ever.

Bolt has won every international 100m title contested since 2008, barring the 100m at the 2011 World Championships in Republic of Korea when he was disqualified for a false start.

Sanjay Myers