Blake wins 100m clash with Gatlin

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

FAST-RISING Jamaican sprinter, Yohan Blake, turned back former world record holder, Justin Gatlin, to win the men's 100 metres at the Palio Citta della Quercia EA Permit Meet in Roverto, Italy, yesterday.

Blake, one of six Jamaicans who have gone under 10 seconds, got his first win of the season as he clocked 10.06 seconds to get the better of Gatlin, who clocked a season-best 10.09.

Italian Emmanuele Gregorio took third in 10.28, with Blake training partner, Marvin Anderson, finishing fourth in 10.48 seconds.

Gatlin maintained his focus despite two false starts, which disqualified two runners - Ryan Bailey of the United States and Fabio Cerutti of Italy.

This was the first defeat this season for Gatlin, who is making a comeback after missing the sport for four years due to a doping violation. The time was also the American's best since his comeback. He previously ran 10.17 three weeks ago.

"It was a good practice for me and I bettered my time as well," Gatlin said. "I tweaked my quad just a little bit coming into home and had to slow a little bit but all in all it was a good race, going against good competitors."

Gatlin added that he hopes to go under 10 seconds at his next meet in Padua on Friday.

Two Jamaicans claimed top spots in the men's 'B' 100 metres. Former Camperdown High outstanding athlete, Remaldo Rose, who is making a comeback after injury, clocked 10.46 seconds to win by one hunderedths of a second over Ramone McKenzie, who clocked 10.47 seconds for second. Jacques Riparelli of Italy took third in 10.55 seconds.

Third place

Jamaica's Allodin Fothergill clocked 46.04 seconds to place third in the men's 400 metres, which was won by homeboy Marco Vistalli, who clocked 45.77 seconds. The United States David Neville took second in 45.91 seconds. Jamaica's Oral Thompson had a seventh-place finish in the event in 46.84 seconds.

Following her second-place finish in the women's 100 metres last year, Trinidad and Tobago's Kellyann Baptiste went one better this year, clocking 11.13 seconds for the win, though running in a positive wind of 6.70 metres per second.

The United States' Mikele Barber was second in 11.17 seconds, as Jamaica's Aileen Bailey ended fourth in 11.29 seconds.

Meanwhile, world champion Caster Semenya finished a surprising ninth in the 800 metres.

In her fifth race following an 11-month gender dispute, Semenya clocked a dismal two minutes, 7.16 seconds.

Elisa Cusma Piccione of Italy, who openly questioned Semenya's gender at last year's Worlds in Berlin, won in 2:00.37.

It is Semenya's second consecutive loss after she placed third at the Diamond League meet in Brussels on Friday.

Despite the loss in Brussels, Semenya still clocked one minute, 59.66 seconds - the fastest time of her comeback. This time she was nowhere close to victory.

Semenya stood third to last after the first lap and never made a move to the front, giving the impression she was just out for a casual jog.

"Nothing happened. I ran the race, I ran slow. Nothing happened. It's part of the game," Semenya said. "Sometimes you need to go according to your body."

Afterwards, Semenya walked over to Cusma Piccione and congratulated the Italian.