Coleman books berth at worlds with victory in US Championships
Christian Coleman celebrates as he crosses the finish line in front of Michael Rodgers (right) to win the men’s 100-metre dash final at the US Championships athletics meet on Friday. Associated Press
Coleman, who had comfortably outpaced world champion Justin Gatlin to win his semi-final in 9.96sec, led virtually from start to finish in the final at Drake Stadium to win in 9.99sec.
Gatlin, already assured of his ticket to the World Championships through his 2017 gold medal, elected to skip the final after his semi-final loss.
That left the field clear for the stocky Coleman, who stormed out of the blocks and rapidly put clear daylight between himself and the rest of the field.
Michael Rodgers was a distant second in 10.12sec while Christopher Belcher was third. It was a satisfying win for Coleman, the fastest man in the world this year over 100m with a season-leading 9.81sec.
The 23-year-old will now head to the worlds in Doha as the man to beat in sprinting’s blue riband event.
“It feels great,” Coleman said after the win. “The whole goal throughout the year was to make the team. The mission’s not over.
“I came into the year wanting to win a gold medal in Doha, and this was just a step on the way to get there.” - Celebratory milkshake - In the women’s 100m final, rookie professional Teahna Daniels powered to an upset victory in 11.20sec.
The 22-year-old from Texas got off to a smooth start and accelerated into the lead at around halfway to pip 2016 Olympics gold medallist English Gardner for first.
Gardner finished second in 11.25sec while Morolake Akinosun was third in 11.28.
But there was disappointment for Sha’Carri Richardson, the third fastest woman in the world over 100m, who bombed out of contention and finished last.
Daniels, who only turned professional this week, meanwhile said she owed her dazzling form in Des Moines to a diet that has seen her shed 19 pounds (8.61kg) since December last year.
Elsewhere on Friday, Allyson Felix dug deep to force her way into Saturday’s women’s 400m final with a typically defiant display.
Felix, the only female track and field athlete to win six Olympic gold medals, had struggled through her opening heat on Thursday with a fourth place finish.
Agence France-Presse
