It was always tough with Gatlin around: Usain Bolt

Moscow: Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has said that it was hard to beat US rival Justin Gatlin on the way to reclaiming his 100m title at the World Athletics Championships here.

Bolt, one of four Jamaicans in the much anticipated men’s 100m final on Sunday, the event he false started in Daegu two years ago, ran a season best 9.77 secs to take his second World 100m title. Gatlin, who led the field at the half way stage, held off Jamaicans Nesta Carter, who was third in 9.95, Kemar Bailey-Cole, who got a very poor start, 9.98 and Nickel Ashmeade with identical time, for the silver medal in 9.85secs. The Jamaicans were going for the historic feat, but according to Bolt, it was always going to be hard with Gatlin in the final. “We knew it was going to be hard. We knew it was going to be hard work pushing each other,” said Bolt, who won the event in Berlin. “I know when it comes onto Championships he (Gatlin) is hard to beat.” Bolt, who is not the best starter, trailed Gatlin, but the American could not hold off the fast finishing Jamaica. Bolt is considered to be most dangerous in the last 50 metres and again he delivered in light showers, which started about an hour before the final. “It’s always good to regain my title. I did my best to win, because that’s what I came out here to do.” He also said the season was a tough one for him as he had to fight off injuries. “I think it’s one of the more difficult ones, it took me a while, I started off poor, my season was very poor, slight injury, which I had to work through…it took me a time to get going, but I came at the right time, always at the Championships,” he said. IANS