Bolt, Powell, Ashmeade Advance to 100m Semi’s at World Championships
Team Jamaica got off to a wonderful start at this year’s IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China today.
The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt and the ‘sub 10 King’ Asafa Powell were among seven Jamaicans who comfortably advanced in their events.
Bolt appeared to struggle a bit during the first 30-40 metres of his 100 metres heat but quickly found his stride and comfortably won the heat in 9.96 seconds, ahead of USA’S Mike Rogers 9.97 seconds, and Churandy Martina of the Netherlands who finished third in 10.06 seconds.
Asafa Powell earlier won his heat in 9.95 seconds. Bingtian Su of China was second in that heat with a time of 10.03 seconds, and South Africa’s Akani Simbine 10.09 seconds.
Nickel Ashmeade was bested by the American sprinter Justin Gatlin in his heat. Ashmeade completed his 100metre dash in 10.19 seconds. Tyson Gay registered 10.11 seconds.
Justin Gatlin looked explosive in his heat as he blazed his way to 9.83 seconds, the fastest time of the day to win heat 6.
