American sprinter makes winning start in Diamond League in Doha

Justin Gatlin got his season off to a winning start at the Diamond League in Doha on Friday, posting a world lead time of 9.74 seconds to win the men's 100 metres.

The divisive American led home compatriot Michael Rodgers, who ran a season's best 9.96secs, while Keston Bledman (10.01) rounded off the top three from lane one.

"It was a magical night for me," said Gatlin. "I won as I did in previous races here in Doha, but I ran even faster. I am very happy.

"I put on a great show for the fans. I have been training really hard for that. With my performance I sent a statement."

In the triple jump, Pedro Pablo Pichardo pipped Christian Taylor to the win, but the pair produced the two biggest jumps by any athlete for 19 years.

Pichardo leapt 18.06m, which was just enough to edge out Taylor (18.04m), and the American anticipates a fierce competition at the World Championships in August.

"Today's result proves there is no big boss and sure winner in triple jump and I think the World Championship in Beijing will be great," Taylor said.

Teddy Tamgho (17.24m) completed the top three, but saw his hopes of a better finish ended by a suspected Achilles injury.

Double Olympic champion Mo Farah fell short in the men's 3000m, as Hagos Gebrhiwet led the field home, while Bershawn Jackson topped the podium in the 400m hurdles and Ayanleh Souleiman triumphed in the 800m.

Francena McCorory edged out compatriot Sanya Richards-Ross in the women's 400m, and there was another American winner in the 200m - Allyson Felix dipping for the line in first place.

Jasmin Stowers maintained her promising start to the season by winning the 100m hurdles, while Kenya's Virginia Nyambura was victorious in the 3000m steeplechase.

It was an equally exciting round in the field, with world leads set in the men's javelin and women's long jump by Tero Pitkamaki and Tianna Bartoletta respectively.