IAAF World Championships: Usain Bolt pips Justin Gatlin to Gold in Beijing
Usain Bolt pulled off his season’s best performance to emerge victorious in the 100m race at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing. He pipped Justin Gatlin of the United States of America to the top spot by the narrowest of margins.
Also read: Justin Gatlin unofficially breaks Usain Bolt's 100m world record in 9.45 seconds
Bolt completed the race in 9.79 seconds at the Bird's Nest Stadium while the 33-year-old American finished 1/100th of a second behind the world record holder. In a closely-fought race, the third place was shared by American Trayvon Brommell and Canadian Andre De Grasse, who crossed the finish line together after 9.92 seconds.
De Grasse conjured up his personal best to take the Bronze ahead of another American Mike Rodgers, who timed 9.94 seconds. Tyson Gay failed to break the 10-second mark as he strode in at 6th place. Asafa Powell edged out Jimmy Vicaut, in 8th place, and hometown favourite Bingtian Su, 9, for the 7th place.
14-year record matched
Earlier, the Jamaican had won his semi-final with a time of 9.96 seconds to qualify for the final. He had edged out fellow finalists, Andre De Grasse and Trayvon Brommell in Heat 1. Gatlin had topped Heat 2 ahead of Mike Rodgers while Tyson Gay pipped Asafa Powell to the top spot in the final Heat. Frenchman Jimmy Vicaut and Chinese Bingtian Su also qualified for the semis courtesy of being the fastest losers.
The race began with Gatlin taking the lead with powerful strides while Bolt made sure the American could not establish an unconquerable lead. At the halfway mark, Gatlin, courtesy of getting off the blocks the fastest, led the 29-year-old Jamaican, but Bolt began to make his move. The crowd favourite took the lead at the 80-metre mark and did not let it slip to win at the same venue he won the Gold medal at the 2008 Olympics – Beijing.
The third place tie was the first time a medal was shared at the World Championships since 2001. Back then, in Edmonton, Canada, Kim Collins of Saint Kitts and Nevis and Shawn Crawford of the United States of America were tied for 3rd place in the 200m with a time of 20.20 seconds.
One of the closest 100m races ever. #bolt pic.twitter.com/Hj8Rpdf23X
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 23, 2015
Final Standings:
| Final position | Athlete | Time |
| 1 | Usain Bolt | 9.79s |
| 2 | Justin Gatlin | 9.80s |
3 | Trayvon Brommell | 9.92s |
| 3 | Andre De Grasse | 9.92s |
| 5 | Mike Rodgers | 9.94s |
| 6 | Tyson Gay | 10.00s |
| 7 | Asafa Powell | 10.00s |
| 8 | Jimmy Vicaut | 10.00s |
| 9 | Bingtian Su | 10.06s |