DAEGU, South Korea (CMC) – World sprint king Usain Bolt scripted an impressive redemption story yesterday, running the fourth fastest 200 metres of all-time to regain his World Championship title.
The 25-year-old from Jamaica gave empirical evidence that he had brushed aside his false start disqualification in last Sunday’s 100 final, running away from his rivals in a time of 19.40 seconds – a time that has been surpassed only three times – and twice by him.
“I feel great,” he said. “I wasn’t running angry; I was running hard, just to say to fans sorry about the 100.
“I came out here to do my best and prove to them. At the start I did not panic.
Coming off the turn with a marginal lead, Bolt blasted away from the field when the race entered the homestretch, and never relented until he crossed the line.
Fortune favoured the chasing pack, with lifetime bests for American Walter Dix (19.70) and Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre (19.80) who secured the silver and bronze medals respectively.
But Nickel Ashmeade, another Jamaican, finished fifth in a time of 20.29, and Trinidad & Tobago’s Rondell Sorillo clocked 20.34 to bring up the rear.
“19.40 for me is a good time,” said Bolt. “I am not in my best shape, but it is all about fun and enjoyment. I am happy with my time and I look forward to the last two races of the season.
“It is good to run a good 200. It is my favourite event. Fans will decide if I made it up to them. I will now get ready for the relay today. To the spectators – you have been a fantastic support!”
Bolt was the raging hot favourite to retain his World 100 title, but fellow Jamaican and training partner Yohan Blake grabbed the top spot, following the mega-star’s shock disqualification in last Sunday’s final.
Jamaica also collected a silver medal, when their 4×400 metres women’s relay squad clocked a new national record time of three minutes 18.09 seconds, finishing runners-up to the United States, whose 3 mins. 18.09 secs was a World-leading time for the year.
The Jamaican squad comprised Rosemarie Whyte, Davita Prendergrast, Novlene Williams-Mills, and Shericka Williams, who came under pressure from newly-minted World 400 bronze medallist Anastasiya Kapachinskaya on the final lap, but ran strongly to grab the medal.
“I want to thank God and the girls for such a great time,” said Williams. “For the past four championships I have attended, we have always got a medal in this relay. We wanted to keep that tradition. The race is not over until is over.
“I felt the Russian girl on my shoulder. I didn’t panic. I just carried on, and she didn’t pass me. It feels great to break the national record. It is an incredible feeling.”
The Championships come to a close today with Caribbean teams featuring in the 4×100 relays, Kenia Sinclair of Jamaica angling for a medal in the women’s 800, and Bahamian Leevan ‘Superman’ Sands eyeing reward in the men’s triple jump.