Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare ran her first 100m race of the season, competing at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix World Challenge in Kawasaki, Japan, where she finished 2nd.
Okagbare who opened her season in the 200m at the Michael Johnson Invitational, and Long Jump at the Drake Relays, clocked 11.30s to finish behind Tianna Bartoletta who made it successive victories at Todoroski Stadium, running a time of 11.23s.
World Indoors 60m Champion Barbara Pierre finished 3rd running a time of 11.40s, with Australia’s Brianna Beahan finishing 4th with a time of 11.94s.
Meanwhile in the men’s category, Justin Gatlin made light work of his 100m, clocking 10.02s for the win. Japan’s Ryota Yamagata finished 2nd in 10.21s as Ramon Gittens came in 3rd, clocking 10.26s.
Gatlin would hope for a big season ahead, and will need big performances if he is to upstage Usain Bolt this year, with both sprinters going for a showdown at the biggest stage, the Olympics.
