Usain Bolt returned to competition with another impressive performance at the IAAF Diamond League Meeting in Rome, Italy on Thursday evening.
The World record holder had to dig in deep late, but showed that he still means business with another blinding finish to win the men’s 100 metres in 9.91 seconds.
Finishing second was his fellow Jamaican countryman, Asafa Powell, at 9.93, while France’s Christophe Lemaitre was third in 10.00 and former world champion Kim Collins of St Kitts, fourth in 10.12.
Allyson Felix turned back a very strong field to win the women’s 400m dash in a world-leading 49.81secs. The American travelled well down the back straightaway, despite being pressure by fellow countrywoman Sanya Richards-Ross before pulling away from the field to win easily.
Finishing second was Botswana’s Amantle Montsho, at 50.47, while USA’s Francena McCorory was third in 50.70. Richards-Ross struggled in the closing metres and was fifth in 50.98.
Felix, though, was beaten in the 200m, which went to another American, Bianca Knight, who outleaned Jamaican Kerron Stewart for first in 22.64.
Stewart was second in 22.74, while Felix took fourth, at 22.81 and Richards-Ross fifth in 22.88.
and wrapped up a fine double in
LJ van Zyl race to 47.91secs to win the men’s 400m Hurdles over Great Britain’s David Greene, who posted 48.24, USA’s Angelo Taylor, 48.66, while Javier Culson clocked 48.86 for fourth. American Kerron Clement finished last in 50.03.
Dylan Armstrong of Canada won the men’s Shot Put competition with a throw of 21.60 metres, beating Olympic champion Tomasz Majewki of Poland, who had 21.20m and Americans Reese Hoffa (21.13m) and Christian Cantwell (21.09m).
The women’s long jump went to American Brittney Reese with a season best jump of 6.94m. She defeated fellow American Funmi Jimoh (6.87m) and France’s Eloyse Lesueur (6.64m).
Elsewhere, Croatia’s Sandra Perkovic got the better of her competitors in the women’s Discus Throw to win with 65.56m, ahead of Yarelis Barrios of Cuba (64.18m) and Germany’s Nadine Muller (63.17m).
Italian Andrew Howe won the men’s 200m in 20.32secs, while Dawn Harper clocked 12.70 to win the women’s 100m hurdles on the line. Lolo Jones, who was in contention of finishing first, hit a hurdle late and had to stop.
