Bolt cruises to victory in 200 meters at Diamond League meet in Shanghai

Bolt cruises to victory in 200 meters in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China — Jamaica’s Usain Bolt won the 200 meters at the Diamond League meet in Shanghai on Sunday, cruising to victory in 19.76 seconds.

The world and Olympic champion at 100 and 200 meters was never tested and looked relaxed as he finished ahead of Americans Angelo Taylor, second in 20.34, and Ryan Bailey, third in 20.43.

“It was a good run. The feeling was good but it was not easy,” Bolt said. “I am not in the best of shape, but I enjoyed it.”

The victory continues Bolt’s strong start to this season that began with a year’s best 9.86 seconds in capturing the 100 at Daegu in South Korea on Wednesday. There was no men’s 100 at the Shanghai meet.

Bolt’s time Sunday was well off the world record of 19.19 he set in the 200 at last summer’s world championships in Berlin.

The Jamaican said he doesn’t feel pressure to set new marks, citing this season’s lack of an Olympics or world championships to up the stakes. Bolt said rival Tyson Gay of the United States should feel free to chase his records.

“This year I said I’m not going to chase any records,” Bolt said. “It doesn’t matter if I get beaten this season, because it’s the offseason.

“If Tyson decides that he wants to break a record, fine with me. If he wants to chase them down, I have no problem with that. I’m just going to run and stay unbeaten this season. I’m looking forward to the clashes.”

In other events, David Oliver of the United States ran a season-best 12.99 to win the 110 hurdles, leaving hometown hero and former world record holder Liu Xiang trailing in third (13.40), just behind fellow Chinese Shi Dongpeng (13.39).

“It was a pretty decent result,” said Liu, who continues to fight a nagging Achilles’ tendon injury that forced him to withdraw from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the last minute.

“I think it’s great that I’m able to maintain this level,” Liu said.

Carmelita Jeter of the United States captured the women’s 100 in 11.09 seconds, surging past Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser (11.29) and Chandra Sturrup of the Bahamas (11.38).

Jeremy Wariner won the men’s 400 in 45.41 seconds and was followed by fellow American David Neville (45.70) and Michael Bingham of Britain (45.84).

“For the second race of the year it was pretty good,” Wariner said.

Janet Jepkosgei Busienei of Kenya took the women’s 800 in 2 minutes, 1.06 seconds, with Britain’s Jennifer Meadows second in 2:01.34 and Kenia Sinclair of Jamaica in third with a 2:01.87.

Kenyan women swept the podium in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Gladys Jerotich Kipkemoi won in 9:16.82, Milcah Chemos Cheiywa was second in 9:20.63 and Lydia Jebet Rotich took third in 9:21.38.