Bolt Takes Fourth 200m Title at IAAF Champs

(ATR) If there was ever any doubt, Usain Bolt reigned supreme as the undisputed "king" of the sprinting world, blazing to his fourth 200m world title in 19.55 seconds.

Bolt gave a modest double fist pump as he crossed the line 0.19 seconds ahead of American rival Justin Gatlin, who achieved his second silver medal of the IAAF World Championships.

The flamboyant Jamaican carried the lead over Gatlin after 100 meters and was never seriously threatened down the homestretch.

"I didn’t expect him to be so strong on the turn as well as me, but he was there, and I’m happy we had a good race down to the finish," Gatlin told Eurosport after the race.

"Usain went from the blocks like a bullet and we knew if he got off the curve ahead, it was all over," said fellow Jamaican sprinter and Eurosport commentator Asafa Powell.

As Bolt was celebrating his 200-meter victory, a cameraman riding a two-wheel vehicle accidentally lost control after hitting a metal rail along the track and plunged into the Jamaican.

Both tumbled to the ground and, after Bolt flipped over and returned to his feet, he briefly clenched his left leg. He appeared to be uninjured in the freak accident.

Bolt, who turned 29 six days ago, attained his tenth career World Championship gold medal and eighth individual title.

For Bolt, it was also a repeat double gold medal performance in Beijing’s Bird’s Nest stadium, as he won his first two Olympic titles at the 2008 Games.

Former U.S. sprinter and Eurosport analyst Maurice Greene said of the Jamaican: "You can never count a champion out. Everybody didn’t think he was 100 percent in shape. He won the 100, and he told me that he would not lose his favorite event, the 200m race, and he proved it tonight."

The Jamaican superstar has been hampered by injuries this season and considering his lofty standards, it has been sub-par year. However, the double victory performance at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing affirmed his status as Olympic favorite for two events in Rio 2016.

If Bolt is King, Felix is Queen

Allyson Felix once again demonstrated why she is considered the world’s most consistent female runner, winning gold with ease in the women’s 400m.

The soft-spoken American was never seriously threatened, taking the race in a world leading time of 49.26. She was 0.41 seconds faster than silver medalist Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas.

"I had to take advantage of my speed that I have and bring that to the 400," Felix said. "I wanted to control the race."

Felix, 29, amassed her ninth world title and eleventh world championship medal.

Her 11 medals are the most ever by an American, as she moved one past legend Carl Lewis and LaShawn Merritt, who claimed his his tenth in yesterday’s 400m race.

Shericka Jackson took bronze, as Jamaicans finished in third through sixth places.

For Felix, it was her first world title in the 400m, adding to her silver from Daegu 2011. She is not competing in her specialty, the 200m, at these championships.

Athletics officials are considering re-arranging the race schedule in Rio 2016, in order to make a 200 & 400m double more feasible for Felix.

Near World Record for American in Men’s Triple Jump Battle

Christian Taylor, the reigning Olympic and 2011 world champion, unleashed a mega jump of 18.21m/59-9 on his sixth and final attempt to take gold in the men’s triple jump.

Taylor’s impressive winning mark was the second longest jump in history, just 8-centimeters shy of Jonathan Edwards world record of 18.29, still standing from 1995.

"When you’re that close to a record, it just makes you even hungrier for the next time you compete," Taylor said. "This is just all gearing up for Rio."

After victory, the American posed for photographs with his friendly Cuban rival, Pedro Pablo Pichardo, who nabbed silver with a jump of 17.60m.

Portuguese veteran Nelson Evora, who won his country’s first field event gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Games, attained bronze. The former Olympic champion nailed a clutch 17.52m mark on his sixth and final attempt.

Olympic Hurdles Champ Competing Prior to Kidney Transplant

With his fluent stride and near flawless technique, London 2012 110m hurdles champion Aries Merritt breezed into Friday’s final, winning his semi-final heat in 13.08.

The well-liked, 30-year-old world record holder’s focus and determination is even more impressive considering he’ll undergo a kidney transplant from his sister on September 1, just four days after he finishes competing in Beijing.

Merritt was diagnosed with a rare kidney disorder in 2013 and told that his athletics career could be over.

"That I am here again running shows me that I'm a fighter and I can overcome anything if I stay with a positive mind," Merritt told BBC Sport.

"I am here in Beijing for mental sanity more than anything," he said. "I don't want to be sitting in my house, cooped up in bed waiting for surgery.

"I'd rather be out enjoying life because, who knows, this could be my last championship if the surgery doesn't go well."

If Merritt is to attain his first world championship title, he’ll have to defeat his U.S. teammate, former world record holder and defending world champion David Oliver, who also advanced into Friday’s final.

With three medals on Thursday, the U.S. overtook Kenya in the medals table 12-11.

Friday marks day seven of nine at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing.

Finals will be contested in the women’s long jump, 100m hurdles and 200m. Men will battle for medals in the 110m hurdles and the always grueling decathlon gets underway.

Written by Brian Pinelli

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