Bolt is back! Runs SB 9.87 in London

Sporting Alert – Usain Bolt looked to have recovered from his pelvic injury after the Jamaican produced back-to-back 9.87 seconds performances on his way to winning the 100m at the London Diamond League on Friday.

The world record holder who had not race since his 200m on 13 June in New York, produced an unbelievable 9.87 secs performance with the easiest of efforts in a -1.2 m/s headwind to improve his earlier year best of 10.12.

The Olympic Games sprint double champion repeated that time in the final, despite getting a poor start. “I think overall it was a good run, but the start wasn’t bad,” Bolt said after his comeback run.

“It’s getting there that’s all that matters. I just need to work on a few more things and get consistent. American Mike Rodgers, who ran 9.92 in the heats, followed Bolt home again in the final in 9.90, with Jamaican Commonwealth Games champion Kemar Bailey-Cole grabbing a personal best of 9.92 for third.

Chijindu Ujah of Great Britain equalled his personal best of 9.96 for fourth place, edging out French record holder Jimmy Vicaut (9.98).

American Natasha Hastings ran a brilliant race from start to finish to take the women’s 400m in a season’s best 50.25 secs – beating compatriot and world-leader Francena McCorory, who was unable to reel in the champion and had to settle for second in 50.67. Hastings says after her in London victory, her goal now is to win a medal at the World Championships in Beijing, next month. 

“The goal [now] is to [go and] have a strong world championships and win a medal,” she said. Jamaica’s Commonwealth Games champion Stephanie McPherson crossed the line third in 50.91, with Great Britain’s Christine Ohuruogu taking third in 51.00.

Sanya Richard-Ross ran a blazing anchor leg to lead a USA quartet to victory in a 42.32 seconds meeting record over the 4x100m. The likes of Jessica Young and Tiffany Townsend were also members of the setup. “It was so much fun to run with these girls,” Richards-Ross said.

“To be back here is really special. This is where I won my first medal.”

World champion Zuzana Hejnova from the Czech Republic found an extra gear in the final 60m to overhaul the field and win in fast a 53.99. “I am very happy but the weather was horrible,” Hejnova said.

“The biggest goal of this season is the World Championships, but I am very pleased to win here in the Diamond League.” Moline Georganne of USA looked well set to take the event until the final flight of hurdles where she surrendered the lead and had to settle for second place in her season’s best 54.24, with Cassandra Tate getting the bronze.

Another 200m PR For Zharnel Hughes

Zharnel Hughes, who trains with Bolt under Glen Mills at the Racers Track Club, blazed to a new personal best again after running 20.05 seconds to win the men’s 200m. Hughes, who is from the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla – therefore eligible to represent Great Britain at the World Championships this summer – moved third on the all-time list of British sprinters over the 200m with his time on Friday.

Another impressive performance came in the women’s 100m hurdles where Jasmin Stowers produced a meeting record of 12.47 (-1.2 m/s) to lead an American 1-2-3 finish. USA Championships champion Dawn Harper-Nelson got home second in 12.64 and world champion Brianna Rollins (12.65) took third. Jessica Ennis-Hill looked very impressive when running a seasonal best of 12.79 for fifth place as she continues her come-back.