Justin Gatlin, Usain Bolt qualify 1-2 for 200m final at Beijing World Athletics Championships

Beijing: Sprint king Usain Bolt and American rival Justin Gatlin swept into the 200 metres final with consumate ease on Wednesday as they prepare to resume hostilities at the world championships.

Gatlin, a two-times doping offender looking to avenge his defeat by Bolt in the weekend's 100m, clocked the fastest time of the semi-finals in 19.87 seconds in Beijing, with Bolt second fastest in 19.95 going into Thursday's dust-up.

Smiling as he decelerated well before the line, defending champion Bolt, also the Olympic gold medallist and world record holder, indulged in similar kidology in the 100m before smashing Gatlin's hopes in the final.