byLarry EderJustin Gatlin won the 60 meters on Saturday, taking the gold medal. He did it the old fashioned way: he had a good start, he kept his head down and he ran through the darn finish……
Justin Gatlin, 2012 USA Indoors, photo by PhotoRun.net
Justin Gatlin had the fifth best reaction time, yet he won the race going away! Getting out well for himself, Gatlin kept his head down until 35 meters or so, and just sprinted through the finish line, running a fine 6.46.
Justin Gatlin, 2012 World Indoors, photo by Gary Morgan
Nesta Carter of Jamaica had a good start, but could not pursue Gatlin over the last twenty meters, and took the silver, running 6.54.
Dwain Chambers of Great Britain, running 6.60, had the best start, but could not capitalize on his start phase and took the bronze.
In fourth, Trell Kimmons of the US, ran 6.60, loosing out the bronze to Dwain Chambers. In fifth, Marc Burns ran 6.62. In sixth, Emmanuel Biron of France ran 6.63.
For Justin Gatlin, it is the beginning of a new year. He had not won an indoor title since 2003, and he achieved the same time. Here is what he had to say on his win on Saturday:
“I
felt great. My first title in 2003 I ran the exact same time so I think
that I’m back. Everyone needs to stay tuned because the USA is going to
show you something. I knew I had to do what I had to do. I’m just
thankful. I wanted to make sure I got out of the blocks and once I put
my head up all I saw was yellow and green. I just wanted to do anything
that I could. I’m going to go home and take a breather and start working
on the next 40 (meters).”
For more on the 60 meters, please click on World Indoors 2012, Day 2
