Lyles lights it up in Shanghai

US sprinter blazes to 100m win; two Chinese hopefuls in top six

The men's 100m final at the Shanghai Diamond League meet on Saturday produced a surprise winner for the second straight year.

Noah Lyles of the United States, competing in the 100m for the first time here, edged teammate and favorite Christian Coleman in a photo finish to win the race in 9.86 seconds, the world's best time so far this year.

South Africa's Simbine Akani took third place, while last year's surprise winner, Britain's Reece Prescod was fourth.

Homegrown hopeful Su Bingtian and his Team China teammate Xie Zhenye were fifth and sixth respectively.

Coleman burst out of the blocks and led for most of the race until Lyles powered past him with an impressive final kick just ahead of the finish line.

"This is my first race in nine months so I'm still a little rusty. There are a lot of things I still need to work on, so it's back to the drawing board. But I thought it was a very good opening race," Coleman said.

"I've always known that Noah has a great finish, but I didn't really know what to expect since it's still so early in the season. I ran a 9.8-plus so I can't really complain about that."

The 21-year-old Lyles, who has clocked faster times in both the 100m and 200m than the legendary Usain Bolt did at the same age, is one of the up-and-coming track stars in the US but is best known for his performances in the 200m.

He said Saturday's result sent a signal to the world that he's going to be a 100m sprinter to reckon with.

"Today, it starts. Everyone sees me as a 200m runner, but that's over," said Lyles. "I've shown that I can do both the 100m and the 200."

Although Su was unable to replicate his 2017 victory at this meet, the Guangdong native was satisfied with his run.

"I think I've started rather well in all my races this year, but tonight I felt I lost my rhythm starting around the 60-meter mark. My fitness isn't at its peak either because I'm still nursing a waist injury," said Su.

"I'm actually very pleased with my time of 10.05 seconds. I'm turning 30 this year, so I think that's an acceptable time. What's important is that I've been able to maintain a high standard."

Meanwhile, there were no surprises in the men's 110m hurdles as reigning Olympic and world champion Omar McLeod of Jamaica battled through grief - his aunt died on Friday - to win in Shanghai for the fourth straight year with a season-best time of 13.12 seconds.

McLeod surged to a comfortable lead that China's Xie Wenjun nearly overcame toward the end. Xie took second place in 13.17 seconds while Russia's Sergey Shubenkov was third.

"Tonight's win means a lot," said McLeod, who broke into tears following his victory.

"Sometimes in life it's not about you ... it's about honoring the lives of people who have always been there for you.

"It was really hard for me to get out of bed and race. But I wanted to show up. I wanted to make sure that I'm here doing my best, and it all worked out in my favor. I dedicate my win to my aunt's memory."