Justin Gatlin fights off Caribbean sprinters to win 100m in Austria

Linz (Austria), Aug 28 (IANS/CMC)

Justin Gatlin (Photo by Bob Martin /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)

American Justin Gatlin fought off rain and a challenge from two Caribbean sprinters to win the 100m at the Gugl Games in Austria.

Gatlin Monday night clocked 10.08 seconds to stave off a challenge from Jamaica’s Nickel Ashmeade and Keston Bledman of Trinidad and Tobago who trailed closely, reports CMC.

Ashmeade was forced to settle for silver in 10.17, while Bledman bagged bronze in 10.27.

Gatlin, beaten for the world title by Usain Bolt in Moscow earlier this month, was the fastest starter but saw his lead narrowed by Ashmeade, who won a relay gold with Jamaica at the Worlds.

Mikel Thomas, another Trinidad and Tobago athlete, copped third spot in the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.51 seconds after finishing seventh in the men’s 110m hurdles at the DN Galan IAAF Diamond League meet in Stockholm Thursday.