Bolt made to work for Weltklasse win
T&T Express Reports
Story Created: Aug 29, 2013 at 10:38 PM ECT
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• ZURICHUsain Bolt had to work hard for his 100-metre victory in 9.90 seconds at the Weltklasse Diamond League meet, yesterday.
The world and Olympic champion had the slowest reaction time out of the starting blocks. Fellow Jamaican Nickel Ashmeade, running two lanes to his left, led deep into the race. But Bolt gritted his teeth and muscled through the slight headwind to reach the front after 85 metres.
He edged ahead of Ashmeade, who finished in 9.94 for second place. American Justin Gatlin was third in 9.96.
In the women’s 5,000m duel between Ethiopian greats, Meseret Defar surged ahead of Tirunesh Dibaba in the final straight.
Still, Bolt was the main attraction and put on a typical pre-race act for the crowd.
The sprinting superstar pressed his hands together in a prayer-like pose, head bowed before breaking into karate-style moves. He bowed again as the camera moved along the line.
On a cool evening, Bolt laboured at the start and a rare defeat seemed possible at halfway.
Yet, Bolt allowed himself a smile upon crossing the finish line, looking across to Ashmeade on his left and world silver medallist Gatlin to his right.
