TOKYO, Japan (CMC) – Grenadian star Kirani James won the 200 metres in a photo finish at the Golden Grand Prix here yesterday, and says he will now turn his attention to his opening Diamond League 400 metres contest in Eugene in two weeks’ time.The reigning Olympic 400-metre champion, who said before the race that he was out to have fun in the half-lap, clocked 20.63 to finish in a dead heat with Bahamian Michael Mathieu.
James looked the winner when he led off the curve but was caught on the line by the fast-finishing Mathieu. While the results screen initially showed both runners as clocking 20.63, the results were later revised to show Mathieu finishing second in 20.64.
“First or second doesn’t really matter. As long as I come out here and I finish the race healthy, then I’m happy with that,” said James. “It’s a fun run, it’s not to try to run a world lead or rank or anything like that.”
James intends to take his next outing more seriously, however. He faces nemesis and World champion American LaShawn Merritt at the Prefontaine Classic, on May 31.
“I’m going to go back home and rest up a bit after this race and train,” he said.
In the women’s 200m, reigning women’s World junior sprint queen Bahamian Anthonique Strachan clocked 22.82 seconds to give the Caribbean another victory at the meet.
The 20-year-old, who won gold in the 100 and 200 metres in Barcelona two years ago, finished ahead of Amantle Montsho in 23.25 seconds while American Deedee Trotter was third in 23.29 seconds.
American Justin Gatlin, meanwhile, won the 100 metres in 10.02 seconds – the fastest ever 100m time recorded running into a wind stronger than -2.0m/s.
The wind was -3.5m/s.