By Tom Fordyce
BBC Sport, Birmingham |
American sprint sensation Justin Gatlin destroyed the field in the 60m with a blistering run of 6.46secs to take a spectacular gold on the first day of the World Indoor Championships.
The 21-year-old silenced the partisan Birmingham crowd as he beat Commonwealth champion Kim Collins into second, with Britain's Jason Gardener delighted to have taken his second World Indoor bronze.
But there was disappointment for Mark Lewis-Francis, who was slow from the blocks and could not make up the lost ground, finishing fourth.
Lewis-Francis (left) battles with Kim Collins in the 60m |
Said Gatlin: "It feels really good. My coach (Trevor Graham) has taught me very well.
"I knew that if I had a good start and drove on, put my technique together, I could pull away. I'm just honoured to be here. I want to be the best in the world."
Gardener revealed that injury had nearly cost him a place at the Worlds.
"I'm relieved. Just over two weeks ago I pulled my hamstring and it's been a real struggle," he said. "I nearly pulled out two days ago.
"I had to go for it. I ran, I was all pumped up and I'm so pleased I'm going to collect a medal. The best man on the day won."
Lewis-Francis, by contrast, could not hide his feelings.
"I'm gutted," he said. "I expected to get a medal. The nerves got to me - I lost it.
"But indoors doesn't really count - me and Jason are going to shine outdoors. I'm still young and there's plenty to come."
Zhanna Block ran a personal best to win gold in the women's 60m, leaving Angie Williams in her wake as she pulled away over the last 20 metres.
The outdoor world champion, so powerful, clocked 7.04secs and said, "I'm really happy with the time. This opens up the prospect of a great summer."
Marlon Devonish moved into the final of the 200m with a smooth 20.64secs, easing off over the last 10 metres.
His main danger there would have been defending champion Shawn Crawford, but the American was disqualified after running out of his lane in his semi.
Home-town boy Daniel Caines survived a bruising first heat of the 400m to qualify for the semi-final in a rapid 45.85secs.
But the Brit was left fuming after American Tyree Washington ran across him twice and accidentally cut Caines' hand with his running spikes.
"I'm a bit grieved - he cut my up twice and now I'm bleeding," said Caines. "My stride was chopped twice. I'm going to complain - he was out of order."
Jamie Baulch cruised through in a slower time of 46.44secs in his heat, having been made to work far less hard.
Michelle Collins and Juliet Campbell roared through to the final of the women's 200m, but it was France's Muriel Hurtis who looked most impressive, running a world-leading 22.49secs in the first semi.
Jo Fenn, in the form of her life, came through the heats of the women's 800m with aplomb, along with her rivals for the gold medal, Jolanda Ceplak, Maria Mutola and Stephanie Graf.
Birmingham-based Ashia Hansen delighted the crowd by sailing out to 14.61m with her first attempt in the triple jump.
It was enough for her to qualify for Saturday's final, but she admitted all was far from well.
"I am running off to the doctor," she said. "I was a little scared and definitely in pain. I do not know if I will be world champion this weekend - I just can't do things I know I can do.
"But there is a bit more to come and I had to hold back. My main aim was to qualify with my first jump."
Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie put his foot down over the last two laps to win the first heat of the 3,000m. Britain's John Mayock also qualified for the final in fourth place.
Chris Tomlinson failed to make the long jump final after finishing fifth in his pool, outside the automatic qualifying places.
"I'm absolutely gutted - my hamstring just collapsed on me," said the British outdoor record holder. "I couldn't take off. It's really sore."
MMIX
Email this to a friend 
Printable version 
