The 100m world record holder Usain Bolt made the biggest blunder of his career today, when he false-started in the men’s 100m finals at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu. Bolt, the favorite, was ejected and failed to defend the World 100m crown he earned in the Berlin 2009 Championships, where he set the current world record of 9.58secs. Upon realizing what he had done, a visibly upset Bolt immediately took off his jersey and threw it on the track in disgust. He then slowly walked back to the starting block when he was shown the red card that signaled the end to his 100m title defense.
In his post-race interview, Bolt said that he was okay and that he would have an opportunity to make amends in his favorite event, the 200m, for which he is also the defending champion. Qualifying rounds for the 200m begin on Day 7 (Sept. 2).
With Bolt out, the race quickly got on the way and 35-year-old Kim Collins (St. Kitts and Nevis), the 2003 World champion, got a brilliant start and ran the race of his life. However, he could not hold off young Yohan Blake (Jamaica), who won the event in a season best 9.92secs (-1.4. m/s). Collins was then nipped at the line by USA’s Walter Dix (10.08) and finished third in a respectable 10.09 secs. Competing in his 7th World Championships, Collins was the clear surprise performer in the 100m finals.
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Men’s 400m Promises Fireworks
If the first round of the men’s 400m is any indication of what to expect in the semi-finals and final, then tracks fans should be heavily entertained by the storylines leading up to the Tuesday’s (Day 4 - Aug 30) finals. USA’s LaShawn Merritt made a strong statement in the opening round, that he is reluctant to relinquish his 400m World title, by running a world leading and season best 44.35secs. Grenada’s Kirani James, the 18-year-old sensation, countered with a jovial performance, winning his first round in 45.12, smiling as he cantered the last 10 meters. James’s teammate Rondell Bartholomew also won his heat in a brisk 44.82 ahead of Trinidad’s Renny Quow (44.84), USA’s Greg Nixon (45.16), USVI’s Tabarie Henry (45.22) and Jamaica's Riker Hylton (45.54). All qualified for the semi-final rounds.
Other qualifiers include Jamaica’s Jermaine Gonzales who won heat 2 in 45.12 along with the Bahamian trio of Demetrius Pinder (45.53), Chris Brown (45.29) and Ramon Miller (45.31).