Gay defeats Powell in 100 meters

OSAKA, Japan – A scorching final 50 meters made Tyson Gay the world champion.

The 100-meter matchup Sunday between the latest American sprint sensation and co-world record holder Asafa Powell was the most anticipated event of the world track and field championships. Gay made it a one-man show.

Under a full moon on another hot, sticky night at Nagai Stadium – with Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko looking on – Gay surged ahead of the Jamaican over the final 40 meters to win in 9.85 seconds. A “panicked” Powell couldn’t even manage second place. He was third in 9.96, behind Derrick Atkins’ 9.91.

Sweden’s Carolina Kluft won an unprecedented third consecutive world heptathlon title with a personal best 7,032 points, breaking the European record held by Russian Nikitina Larisa. Only world record holder Jackie Joyner-Kersee has scored more.