DOHA — Justin Gatlin lived up to the pre-season hype, winning the 100 meters in a world-leading 9.74 seconds at the Diamond League opener Friday, a personal-best time and a new meet record in Doha. There was a big gap between the American and his chasers, with US relay teammate Michael Rodgers second in 9.96 and Keston Bledman of Trinidad and Tobago third. Gatlin was the fastest man in the world last season over both 100 and 200 meters, 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 Friday 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 meters 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 meters for the third longest triple jump in history, beating Christian Taylor's 18.04 in a tough duel in the pit. Tamgho hurt World champion triple jumper Teddy Tamgho confirmed Friday he has ruptured an Achilles tendon in Doha. Tamgho, 25, was preparing for his third attempt when he pulled up short holding the back of his leg, and after lying down on the track was quickly stretchered off by medical staff. “Achilles tendon ruptured, I'm leaving to undergo surgery at Aspetar,” a Doha clinic specializing in sports, Tamgho said on his Twitter account. Tamgho had achieved a jump of 17.24m on his second attempt. The French athlete is making his comeback after being out for 18 months because of injury and a one-year ban for a doping offense. He returned to competition in March and jumped 16.78m at a meeting at Ermont-Eaubonne, near Paris. His main aim for this year had been be to defend his world title in Beijing in August. — Agencies
