By Gary Smith, World-Track
SHANGHAI, China —–
Tyson Gay lowered his own American record to 9.69seconds (+2.0m/s) on his way to destroying a solid field to win the men’s 100 metres at Sunday’s Shanghai IAAF Golden Grand Prix.
After Asafa Powell false started in his effort to get away from the field early, Gay settled down once again and showed the world-class he is.
Getting out to a metre and a half to Powell at the start, the American powered by his Jamaican rival to lower his national record from the previous 9.71seconds he clocked to finish behind Usain Bolt in that world record 9.58seconds race in Berlin in August.
Seeing that he was no match again for Gay in another brilliant outing from the American, Powell eased down to almost a jog in the last four steps of the race to take second in 9.85secs. American Darvis Patton was third in 9.89, with Jamaica’s Nesta Carter returning to form with a personal best of 9.91 for fourth.
The run of Gay on Sunday does not look like a man who is being bothered by a groin injury, but if he, then the world could see a tough battle between himself and Bolt come next season when he is at full strength.