HELSINKI (AP):

American sprinter Justin Gatlin won his third 100-metre race since returning from a four-year doping ban, clocking 10.28 seconds into a strong headwind at the Joensuu Games yesterday.

The 2004 Olympic champion beat Rubin Williams of the United States by 0.12 seconds. Jonathan Astrand of Finland was third in 10.59.

Gatlin told Finnish broadcaster YLE he was happy with his performance considering the 2-metre-per-second headwind.

"The wind was really strong, but the running felt good. If the wind had been behind, it would have been a good run," Gatlin said.

Qualifying heat

In the qualifying heat he ran a 10.19 in a 2.3-metre-per-second tailwind.

Gatlin said his coach Loren Seagrave's new training techniques were working but required some adjustment.

"For the rest of the season, I'll try to improve my time. Hopefully I can show that I'm a winner, that I can come away with a victory wherever I compete," Gatlin said.

The American made his comeback at a small meet in Estonia on August 3, winning in 10.24. Five days later, he ran 10.17 to win at the Ergo Games in Tallinn, Estonia.

Gatlin tested positive for excessive testosterone in April 2006.