Awesome Gay sends out a warning to Bolt as Ennis is simply glad to be back
AMERICAN sprinter Tyson Gay threw down the gauntlet to world 100m record holder Usain Bolt ahead of the new season with a stunning 150m run in Manchester.
With Bolt’s campaign interrupted by injury, Gay ended last season as world No1 and looked in peak condition at the Great City Games, with the World Championships three months away.
Gay, 28, clocked 14.51s in rainy conditions, just 0.16s slower than the mark set by the Jamaican at the same event two years ago.
“I’ve missed a lot of training this year because of a couple of little niggles and injuries so I’m pretty impressed with my performance,” said Gay after his first appearance of the season. “I’m feeling OK. I’m a little bit sore, but nothing major. I’m feeling pretty good. I came through the first 100m in 9.91, that’s kind of where everyone else is in the world right now so that’s not bad.”
Elsewhere, Britain’s Jessica Ennis declared her injury problems over after making an impressive return to action having missed the European Indoor Championships with a tendon injury.
“One massive positive to take from the day is that my ankle feels good,” said Ennis, who finished third in the 100m hurdles in 12.88s. “It’s a bit of a relief to be back in competition and I’m excited about the season now.”
Fellow Brit Andy Turner won both the 110m and 200m hurdles to blow away American duo Terrence Tramell and Bershawn Jackson, but injury- plagued Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu was well off the pace finishing fourth in the 200m.