World and Olympic triple gold medallist Usain Bolt got his 100-metre season underway in a respectable 9.86 seconds at the Daegu Pre-Championships on Wednesday.
Bolt, who owns the world record of 9.58, was the only man under the 10-second barrier, with fellow Jamaican Michael Frater finishing second in 10.15 ahead of American Mike Rodgers in 10.18.
Another American Travis Padgett, who clocked 9.92 in the windy Doha Diamond League meet last week, could only manage fifth in 10.30, as the athletes got a feel for the stadium that will host the world championships next year.
Starting in the fifth lane, Bolt took the lead at the 30 metre mark after a sluggish opening before easing across the finish line.
Before the race, Bolt vowed to clock a fast time but said he was not looking to break, or even go close, to his record in the first outing of the season.
His time contrasted to key rival Asafa Powell’s 9.81 at Doha, where he was powered by a gusting desert wind. Both Powell and American Tyson Gay have made clear they are eyeing Bolt’s world record this year.
In the men’s 110m hurdles, Beijing Olympic bronze medallist David Oliver of the US came first at 13.11 to beat Beijing gold medallist Dayron Robles of Cuba by 0.15.
American Ryan Bailey won the men’s 200m in 20.58, and his compatriot Angelo Taylor finished first in the men’s 400m with 45.21.
Another American, Carmelita Jeter, who ran with the best time of 10.64 last year, won the women’s 100m in 11 seconds flat, nudging Beijing Olympic gold medalist Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica into second.
Bianca Knight of the United States took out the women’s 200m, while Russia’s Julia Golubchikova jumped 4.65m to claim the women’s pole vault. — AFP