Gatlin clocks 10.02 to win in Tokyo

Gatlin clocks 10.02 to win in Tokyo|Gatlin clocks 10.02 to win in Tokyo
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TOKYO (AP) — Justin Gatlin of the United States won the men’s 100 meters in 10.02 seconds on Sunday at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix, an IAAF World Challenge event.

Gatlin beat compatriot Mike Rodgers by .09 at Tokyo’s National Stadium. Christophe Lemaitre of France was third in 10.31.

“Once I got past the 50-meter mark, I just wanted to stay relaxed,” said Gatlin, who had to race into a strong wind. “If the wind was none, you might have been looking at another meet record.”

World champion Brianna Rollins of the United States won the women’s 100 hurdles in a meet record of 12.62, ahead of Lavonne Idlette of the Dominican Republic in 12.91 and Kettie Wells of the United States in 12.98.

Olympic 400-meter champion Kirani James of Grenada won the men’s 200 with a time of 20.63, edging Michael Mathieu of the Bahamas by one hundredth of a second. Kei Takase of Japan was third in 20.75.

Tianna Bartoletta of the United States won the women’s 100 in 11.18, .27 ahead of Melissa Breen of Australia. Chelsea Hayes, also of the United States, was third in 11.53.

Jenny Simpson of the United States opened her season by cruising to victory in the women’s 1500 in a world-leading 4:03.91 ahead of compatriot Emma Coburn in 4:07.49 and Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia in 4:08.49.

ustin Gatlin, center, of the United States, Christophe Lemaitre of France, left, and Yoshihide Kiryu of Japan cross the finish line during the men’s 100-meter race at the Golden Grand Prix Field and Track in Tokyo, Sunday, May 11, 2014.
AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi