Simbine upstages Coleman and Kerley to win 100
SUZHOU, China (AP) — Akani Simbine surged late to win the 100 meters in 10.01 seconds at the Diamond League meet in China on Saturday, upstaging American former world champions Christian Coleman and Fred Kerley.
Coleman was fastest out of the blocks — he’s the world record holder in the 60 meters — and was leading most of the way but had to settle for second place in his season-best 10.04, holding off Kerley who was third in 10.11.
The race had been billed as a showdown between the two Americans going head-to-head on back-to-back weekends in China — Coleman got the better of Kerley in the series-opener last week in Xiamen.
But South Africa’s Simbine overhauled them over the last 20 meters of the race.
“This has built a lot of confidence leading into the Olympic year,” the two-time Olympic finalist said. “This helps build momentum, which I hope to build on further as the season progresses.”