Bolt, Gay cruise into 2nd round of 100 meters at world championships

Bolt, Gay cruise into 2nd round of 100

BERLIN — Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay both cruised into the second round of the 100 meters at the world championships on Saturday, keeping on track for a showdown in Sunday’s final.

Gay won his heat in 10.16 seconds. It was well off his season’s leading time of 9.77, but was still the fastest qualifying time. Bolt won his heat in 10.20, slowing up well before the finish.

The duel between the exuberant Jamaican and the American is seen as the biggest event of the nine-day championships.

Bolt won three Olympic gold medals in world record times in the sprint events in Beijing, while Gay won three at the 2007 worlds.

For Gay, the first race was also an occasion to test his tender groin.

“It is little bit sore, but it’s OK,” said Gay, who pulled out of a preparation meet out of precaution last week. “I hadn’t been in the blocks in the past few days, so I just had to get the kinks out.”

Bolt did not speak after the race, but his body language said plenty. He showed off his Jamaica jersey, put his arms up to the sky and was cool and relaxed throughout the race.

The second round of the 100 was set for later Saturday.

Former world record-holder Asafa Powell almost failed to qualify. He eased up far too early and only squeezed through as the third and last guaranteed qualifier from his heat.

Dwain Chambers of Britain, who tested positive for the steroid THG in 2003 and served a two-year doping suspension, won his heat in 10.18, second fastest behind Gay.

In another highly anticipated duel, Sanya Richards and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu of Britain went head-to-head in the women’s 400 heats, with the American edging ahead as both eased into Sunday’s semifinals.

Olympic champion Valeriy Borchin of Russia won the 20-kilometer walk, coming from behind to claim the first gold of the world championships. Hao Wang of China took silver and Eder Sanchez of Mexico was third.

Back at the Olympic stadium, Olympic shot put champion Tomasz Majewski of Poland qualified for the final on his first attempt.

Defending champion Reese Hoffa of the United States scraped through after failing to make the qualifying mark of 66-7¼, but his 66-4½ was good enough to get among the top 12 to go through.

American throwers Christian Cantwell and Adam Nelson also qualified.

In the women’s triple jump, two-time Olympic champion Francoise Mbango Etone pulled out of qualifying at the last moment. No reason was immediately available.

In her absence, defending champion Yargelis Savigne of Cuba, and 2001 and 2003 champion Tatyana Lebedeva easily advanced into Monday’s final.