By Gary Smith, World-Track
THESSALONIKI, Greece —
American Tyson Gay came back from a poor start to catch Jamaican former world record holder Asafa Powell on the line to win the men’s 100 metres at the World Athletics Final in Thessaloniki on Saturday.
Powell, who defeated Gay when the pair last raced together looked set to hand the American another second place finish this season after getting off to a rocket start, following a false start.
But just like he’s shown in recent times Gay turned on the speed in the last 30m to catch Powell on the line and win the event in 9.88seconds.
"Asafa got a good start on me and this time I wanted to make sure I ran through the line," said Gay, who finished behind the Jamaican at the Brussels Golden League meeting last.
"He’s a great competitor and I love racing against him. He always brings his best to the track.
"I’ve got one or two races left this season and after that I’m looking forward to the surgery."
Powell finished second in 9.90secs with United States’ Darvis Patton taking third with a time of 10.00secs.
American champion Michael Rodgers was fourth in 10.09 with Jamaican world and Olympic relay champion Michael Frater finishing fifth in 10.16.
