Doubts about Usain Bolt’s ability to bounce back during major championships were laid to rest as the world’s fastest man silenced the opposition, going clear to win his fourth consecutive 200m world title at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing.
Not only did the Jamaican complete the sprint double for the third time, he did it in style, snatching his 10th World Championships GOLD with a scorching World Lead of 19.55s, cementing his legacy as the world’s No. 1 sprinter, having remained unbeaten in major competitions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhZqR1bGYkU
He also toppled Justin Gatlin as World Leader in the 200m with his new mark, which is 0.02s faster than the American’s time set during the USA Trials in June. Just like he did in the 100m, Bolt’s victory in the final of the 200m has ended Gatlin’s two-year unbeaten streak over the event.
Going by the uncertainty that heralded his arrival in Beijing, the Triple World Record (WR) holder will no doubt be relieved by the good fortune he has enjoyed at the championship.
Victory in the men’s 4x100m relay would seal the deal for Bolt who is not certain of competing in all three events at the next World Championships in London. Before then however, the 29-year old will be keen on retaining his three Olympic titles in Rio next year, which will most likely be his last outing at the Games.
2005 World champion Gatlin had to once again settle for a consecutive Silver medal (19.74s) after being upstaged by his fiercest competitor who dominated the race from start to finish. Being the oldest man in the field, it is not certain that the 33-year old would still retain the blazing form that saw him dominate the world in the past two years. His feat in Helsinki 10 years ago where he won the sprint double, may have to suffice for the rest of his career.
It was a memorable outing for South Africa’s Anaso Jobodwana who raced to Bronze with a National Record (NR) of 19.87s. The 23-year old has been quite consistent this year, running in the Diamond League where he’s made quite an impression. He clocked the same time as Panama’s Alonso Edward who won Silver behind Bolt at the 2009 Championships in Berlin.
Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes placed 5th with a PB of 20.02s. The 20-year old has shown great promise, and is one to watch out for in the near future. Turkey’s Ramil Guliyev (20.11s), Femi Ogunode (20.27s) and Nickel Ashmeade (20.33s) finished 6th, 7th and 8th respectively.
