1 of 8 | Jamaica's Usain Bolt salutes the crowd after winning the100 meters final at the IAAF World Championships being hosted by Beijing on 23, August. Usain won with a time of 9.79 seconds. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI |
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BEIJING, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Former world number one sprinter Usain Bolt upset the racing establishment Sunday by defeating heavy favorite Justiln Gatlin to take the 100-meter world title -- ending the controversial American's streak of 28 unbeaten races.
A six-time Olympic gold medalist, Bolt, 29, came from behind to seal victory over Gatlin by one-hundredth of a second at the 100-meter championships in Beijing Sunday. His official time was 9.79 seconds -- about two tenths off his previously-set world record.
Gatlin, who has twice served suspensions for doping, was the clear favorite going into the race.
"I'm amazed. This is Usain Bolt's best race ever," former Olympic champion Michael Johnson said. "He knew it was a completely different set of circumstances for him. He'll be most proud of this win without a doubt. It's not about technique, it's about running for your life and he's got the talent to be able to do that."
Gatlin, 33, finished second and Canadian Andre de Grasse and American Trayvon Bromell tied for third.
"Justin Gatlin will kick himself because he will never, ever get a better chance to beat Usain Bolt," former track and field champion Colin Jackson said. "Victory goes to the right person for me."
Bolt's resurgence has surprised many in the sprinting world. His victory Sunday followed several notable struggles in recent races -- including a semifinal where he nearly stumbled and fell on the track.
Having run 9.77 in his semifinal, Gatlin looked nearly unbeatable. At about the halfway point of Sunday's final, he and Bolt were neck-and-neck. From there, it appeared the American ran out of steam while Bolt found another gear.
A three-time world 100-meter champion, Bolt said he hopes his renewed fire will help carry him through next summer's Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.
"This means a lot because I've been struggling all season, it's taken me a while to work things out," Bolt told BBC Sport. "It's been up and down but it's OK now."
"This may well have been his finest day," BBC Sport commentator Steve Cram said.
