by Desmond G. Palmer, posted on 9/13/2011
Usain Bolt ran a 9.85secs (+0.1 m/s) season best to win the 100m at the Zagreb (Croatia) World Challenge today. The race was redemption of sorts for the superstar; it was his first 100m race since he was disqualified at last month’s Daegu World Championships. His previous best in the event this year was 9.88, which he registered at Monaco set in June.
Worlds bronze medalist and veteran Kim Collins of St. Kitts and Nevis also ran a season-best 10.01 to finish second to Bolt and ahead of Trinidad's 2008 Olympic silver medalist Richard Thompson in 10.03. Completing the field were Jaysuma Saidy Ndure of Norway (10.13), Mario Forsythe of Jamaica (10.16), and the US pair of Justin Gatlin and Ivory Williams, 10.17 and 10.37, respectively.
Press Rush
After the race, Bolt remarked that he had gotten a poor start, noting that he lost concentration and just went through the line. “It was OK, I suppose, but I could have done better, especially with weather like that,” said the world and Olympic record-holder.
Nonetheless, the standing-room-only crowd went wild with excitement as Bolt celebrated with them, posing a control problem for security. But the champion relished it. "It was wonderful, I loved that they were excited and that the fans come up to me. I'm always grateful for that," he said.
And even the journalist joined the rush. The news conference with Bolt was cut short when too many of them tried to force their way into the room. Watch the race
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