DOHA–T&T's Keston Bledman grabbed bronze behind Americans Michael Rodgers and Justin Gatlin who ran a blistering race to win the marquee 100 metres in the season-opening Doha Diamond League in Qatar, yesterday.
Bledman was one of only two T&T athletes in action, with the other, Olympic gold medalist Keshorn Walcott placing eighth in the men's javelin event with a 80.62 metre effort.
His second and third best throws were 80.59 and 80.49, respectively. Czech Republic's World Champion Vitezslav Vesely finished third in 83.67, behind winner Tero Pitkamaki (88.62) and runner-up Antti Ruuskanen (86.61), both of Finland.
Meanwhile, in the feature sprint, Bledman earned the single Diamond League point when he stopped the clock at 10.01 seconds, ahead of veteran Caribbean sprinter Kim Collins, as Gatlin created a big gap between himself and his chasers to win the event.
Collins, from St Kitts and Nevis, took fourth position in 10.03 seconds while Jamaica's Nesta Carter crossed the line in sixth position clocking 10.07.
But it was Gatlin who lived-up to the pre-season hype to claim victory in 9.74 second, a personal-best time and a new meet record in Doha.
His US relay teammate Michael Rodgers clocked 9.96 seconds in placing second.
Gatlin was the fastest man in the world last season over 100 and 200 metres, but went even faster on a hot night at Qatar Sports Club.
Gatlin was the fastest man in the world last season over both 100 and 200 metres, but went even faster on a sweltering hot night at Qatar Sports Club in his first 100 of 2015.
With Usain Bolt set to open his season later this month, and the two on course to only meet at the world championships in Beijing, Gatlin said he wanted to send an early message to his rival last night.
"I just wanted to go out and put down a good time," Gatlin said. "I know I had to go out and make a statement tonight. That's what my coach told me to do."
Double Olympic and world long-distance champion Mo Farah made his Doha debut, and appeared to be struggling with the pace of his 3,000 race before coming from deep in a powerful finish to take second, just behind Ethiopia's Hagos Gebrhiwet.
Jasmin Stowers showed she's a rising star by winning the 100 hurdles in a personal-best 12.35 seconds, a new Diamond League record.
Olympic champion Sally Pearson and Dawn Harper-Nelson were both outside the top three. Stowers has improved her PB three times in 2015 after 12.40 and 12.39 performances previously this year.
Allyson Felix breezed to victory in the 200 metres in a meet-record 21.98 seconds. It was Felix's first 200 of the season, and she broke out into a big grin as she caught a glimpse of her fast winning time as she crossed the line.
American Bershawn Jackson won the 400 hurdles, holding under pressure through the final stretch after clipping the last barrier. In the field events, Cuba's Pedro Pichardo leaped 18.06 metres for the third longest triple jump in history, beating Christian Taylor's 18.04 in a tough duel in the pit.