Bolt cruises to 200m win but falls short of record

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Sprint superstar Usain Bolt finally put his demons of Stockholm to rest when he coasted to an easy win in the 200 metres at the DN Galan Diamond League meet here.

Having lost his two previous outings in the Swedish capital, the Jamaican rebounded to snatch the half-lap in an uncharacteristically slow 20.03 seconds, to make it up for his recent disappointments.

He lost in 2008 to compatriot Asafa Powell and was upset last August by American Tyson Gay, both defeats coming over 100 metres.

Reverting to his favoured event on Friday, Bolt found no equal in the field as he powered through the first 100 metres before streaking effortlessly down the stretch virtually unchallenged.

"Technically it was not a good race because the curves here are a bit tight," the World and Olympic 100 and 200m champion said afterward.

"I was careful not to get injured before the World Championships. But generally, it was a good race despite the fact that I wanted a better time."

The time was perhaps the only blot on Bolt's outing as it fell short of the 15-year-old stadium record of 19.77 seconds set by legendary American Michael Johnson.

Bolt, the double World record-holder, was also outside his world-leading 19.86 seconds which was set in Oslo last month.

Jamaican Marvin Anderson finished in second spot but was disqualified for a lane infringement, leaving Pamana's Alonzo Edward top claim the runner up spot in 20.47 seconds, with another Jamaican Ainsley Waugh third in 20.56 seconds.

Trinidadian Richard Thompson was a disappointing fifth in 20.85 seconds.

Bolt's triumph was one of several for Jamaicans throughout the meet with Jermaine Gonzales, Kaliese Spencer and Kenia Sinclair taking gold in their respective events.

Gonzales won the men's 400 metres in a season-best 44.69 seconds, with Bahamian Chris Brown finishing third in another season-best 44.79 seconds.

Grenada's Rondell Bartholomew was fifth in 45.32, with Trinidadian Renny Quow finishing down the field in 45.99.

Spencer, meanwhile, posted a meet record 53.74 seconds in claiming the women's 400m hurdles, leading a Jamaican podium sweep with Melaine Walker (54.71) and Nickiesha Wilson (55.80) behind her.

Sinclair left her mark on the meet with a season-best run of one minute, 58.21 seconds in winning the women's 800 metres.