By Robert-Jan Bartunek
BRUSSELS, Sept 7 (Reuters) – Olympic champion Aries Merritt
of the United States broke the world record in the 110 metres
hurdles while Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake won their
sprints in the final Diamond League meet of the season on
Friday.
Merritt clocked 12.80 seconds, beating the previous best of
12.87 set in 2008 by Cuba’s Dayron Robles.
Merritt had said in recent weeks that he thought the world
record was beatable given the right conditions. The 27-year-old
American has dominated the event this year, with the most
sub-12.95 seconds performances in a single season.
Triple Olympic champion Bolt, who shattered the 200 metres
meet record at the previous Diamond League event in Zurich,
pulled away towards the end of the 100 metres, crossing the line
in 9.86 seconds, which is a modest time for him.
Compatriot and training partner Blake, who took silver twice
behind Bolt in the sprints at this year’s London Olympics and
clinched gold in the sprint relay, was a clear winner in the 200
metres, already well ahead at the top of the bend.
Blake, who set a personal best and equalled the
third-fastest time ever in the 100 at the Lausanne meeting in
late August, won in 19.54 seconds, the third fastest time this
year.
Earlier on Friday, Kenya’s Emmanuel Kipkemei Bett ran the
fastest 10,000 metres of the season in 26 minutes 51.16 seconds.
(Additional reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; editing by Ken
Ferris)
