By Miranda Mitchell, World-Track
BERLIN — He was simply remarkable on the day and that could be an understatement.
Just like he did in Beijing, when he destroyed a world-class field to win the 200 metres after seven races, Jamaican Usain Bolt, blasted to 19.19 seconds to set another world record – improving his own mark of 19.30 and winning by the widest margin in world championships history.
"I did not really have it on my mind. I said early in the season that I had to get my start right," Bolt said.
"I worked on it. That was the key in this final: I got my start right. Today I was just in my room playing video games all day. It keeps me calm and that is the aim.
"This final was not mentally harder than Beijing but physically. I definitely showed people that my WRs in Beijing were not a joke."
Panama’s Alonso Edward was second in a big personal best and Area record of 19.81, with American Wallace Spearmon matching the bronze medal in won in Osaka, two-years-ago with a 19.85 run.
Former Olympic champion Shawn Crawford was fourth in 19.89, while Jamaica’s Steve Mullings joined the sub-20 seconds club with a fifth place run of 19.98.
Earlier report After struggling in the early season Melaine Walker showed up the day that mattered to destroy a world-class field to win the women’s 400 metres hurdles at the world championships on Thursday.
Walker, the Olympic champion from Beijing, who entered the event as the slight underdog to American Lashinda Demus, flashed to the second fastest time ever of 52.42 seconds to set a championships record and win the gold medal. "I have trained hard for this and I have give the glory to God," Walker said after the race.
Demus, the favourite entering the event, after running undefeated throughout the season, including a few convincing victories over Walker, was second in 52.96, with the outstanding Trinidadian Josanne Lucas posting yet another national record of 53.56 for the bronze.
Another Jamaican Kaliese Spencer ran a personal best of 53.56 for fourth, while American Tiffany Williams was left back in fifth, at 53.83.
The win was the fourth gold medal for Jamaica who earlier in the championships won the men’s and women’s 100m, through Usain Bolt’s world record and Shelly Ann Fraser’s national record, in addition to Brigitte Foster-Hylton’s stunning 100m hurdles win on Wednesday.
