Olympic champion Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic won the 400m hurdles at the Gugl Games on Monday, three days after he was beaten at a Diamond League meeting in Stockholm.
Kirani James of Grenada won the 400m in his first race since winning at the London Games two weeks ago.
Sanchez led the field from the start and finished in 48.13 seconds to defeat Leford Green of Jamaica, who timed 48.89 in second place. Michael Tinsley of the US, who beat Sanchez on Friday, took third in 49.49.
Photo: AFP
“Before Stockholm, I had too much traveling and too much parties,” Sanchez said. “I took some rest the last two days and felt pretty well again today.”
Sanchez grabbed a national flag and ran a lap of honor — just as he did in London.
“There is more about athletics than just start and finish,” Sanchez said. “You have to give the fans what they want.”
Jonathan Borlee of Belgium led the 400m race, before Jones overtook him in the final 100m to finish in 44.46 seconds and beat Borlee by 0.64 seconds. Calvin Smith of the US was 0.88 seconds back in third.
“If you come back from an emotional roller coaster like in London, you have to find your consistency again,” James said.
Double-amputee Oscar Pistorius of South Africa was sixth in 46.91 seconds.
“I was a bit tired coming here,” said Pistorius, who is preparing for his return to London for the Paralympics. “I didn’t feel super, but the atmosphere was great.”
Nickel Ashmeade led a Jamaican sweep of the 100m after pre-race favorite Justin Gatlin pulled out hours before the start. The American bronze medalist from the London Games was suffering from food poisoning.
Ashmeade clocked 10.03 seconds to beat Michael Frater by 0.10 seconds and Jason Young by 0.12.
Fellow Jamaican Samantha Henry-Robinson, who won silver in the 4x100m relay in London, won the women’s 100m in 11.15 seconds. She edged second-placed Gloria Asumnu of Nigeria by 0.04 seconds, while Laverne Jones-Ferrette of the US Virgin Islands came third in 11.24 seconds.
US athletes dominated the 100m hurdles, taking the first four places. Ginnie Crawford won in 12.68 seconds, ahead of Queen Harrison in 12.77 and Olympic bronze medalist Kellie Wells in 12.83. Loreal Smith was fourth in 12.94.
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