20 May 2010

Bolt runs fast in first big race of the year

8:06 am on 20 May 2010

World and Olympic champion Usain Bolt blew away the field and set the fastest time in the world this year as he won his first big race of 2010.

The Jamaican recorded a time of 9.86 seconds in the 100 metres at the Daegu Pre-Championships meet in South Korea.

The 23-year-old will next run in the 200 metres in the Diamond League meeting in Shanghai on Sunday.

Fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell ran a faster time of 9.81 seconds to win the 100 metres at the opening Diamond League meeting in Qatar on Friday, but his time was wind-assisted.

Bolt won three gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4x100 metres relay, and repeated the hat-trick at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.

The New Zealand shot put champion Valerie Vili is also competing in Shanghai on Sunday.