By Steve Campbell, World-Track
BERLIN — Asafa Powell, Tyson Gay and Usain Bolt moved another step closer to their dream of winning the World Championships 100-metres title here in Berlin with comfortable runs in their respective second round heats.
Powell made sure he did not repeat his first round craziness, when he eased down some 40m before the finish line and almost missed going on, by coasting to 9.95seconds – although he eased up way before the finishing line.
After a delay at the start, the Jamaican former world record holder got out to another rocket start and the chasing pack stood no chance of catching up, even when he shut it down before the line early.
Defending champion Tyson Gay came back from a sluggish start to power away from the field with a time of 9.98secs, with Jamaica’s Michael Frater finished behind him in 10.09.
Jamaican Olympic champion Usain Bolt and his training partner Daniel Bailey of Antigua did not break 10seconds, but looked so impressive in the last quarterfinal heat.
Bailey blasted out of the blocks, but was quickly chased down by Bolt, who then eased off the gas as the pair looked around – smiling in the final 20m before Bailey crossed in 10.02 to Bolt’s 10.03.
Another impressive run in the second round came from American champion Mike Rogers, who won his race in 10.01.
Great Britain’s Dwain Chambers was a comfortable heat winner also – clocking a seasonal and European best of 10.04.
