YOKOHAMA, Japan (AFP) - Olympic champion Justin Gatlin repeated his performance in Athens to win the men's 100 metres far ahead of fellow American Maurice Greene at the Yokohama track and field meet.
The 22-year-old American, who marked the season's fastest time of 9.85 seconds in Athens, clocked 9.97 for an overwhelming victory, beating teammate Leonard Scott in 10.14 and Japan's Nobuharu Asahara in 10.20.
Sydney Olympic gold medallist Greene, who was third in Athens, finished at a lowly fifth in 10.33 behind four-time Olympic sprint silver medallist Frankie Fredericks of Namibia in 10.27.
Gatlin said he was sure of victory at "60 metres when I saw I was running by myself."
"I think my weakness is the first half of a race. I think if I execute the first half, I can bring home number one victory every time," he said.
Greene said: "I had to sit in the blocks. They say I made a false start, which I disagree with, and the way my body is feeling, jet lag and everything, I needed to give the best start I possibly could, and they took that part away from me."
It was the final race for Fredericks, who had announced he would retire after this sprint.