Gatlin stuns Bolt for 100m title

Justin Gatlin of the United States reacts after Men's 100m final of the 2017 IAAF World Championships at London Stadium in London, Britain, on Aug. 5, 2017. 2005 world champion Justin Gatlin staged by far the biggest surprise of the London world championships as he edged defending champion Usain Bolt to take the world title here on Saturday. Gatlin became the most subdued world champion when he came back from behind to win in 9.92 seconds. (Xinhua/Luo huanhuan)

On the very rare occasion in sports history, a bronze medalist received much more cheers and applause than the winner.

Jamaican "lightning" Usain Bolt lost his first ever world championships final to the rivals, in his last 100m race on Saturday while Justin Gatlin, 2005 world champion and at 35, emerged the surprise winner in 9.92 seconds, 0.03 ahead of Bolt.

"The place is wonderful and I appreciated this crowd so much. It is just one of those things, thank you to London for all your love and appreciation," said Bolt, who was treated by the capacity crowd and the organizers as a winner, receiving undimishing cheers and applause from the adoring spectators and doing the lap of honor as if he had won.

The silver went to American youngblood Christian Coleman in 9.94 and China's Su Bingtian, who became the first Asian to reach the men's 100m final at the world championships two years ago, finished eighth in 10.27.

After the race, Gatlin threw himself at 8-time Olympic champion and 11-time world champion Bolt on all fours as if soluting a king or being a little apologetic for ruining the Jamaican's chance of ending his career with a record fourth gold medal in the blue-ribbon 100m.

The talk of Bolt's imminent retirement has been dominating the world championships and the days leading up to the event. If all goes according to plan, Bolt would step on the track of the London stadium again next week to run his final race, in the 4x100m relay. Then comes the time when Bolt retires.

Earlier, Olympic champion Almaz Ayana claimed women's 10000m title, clocking a world leading time of the season at 30:16.32 to add on to her Rio Olympic gold medal.

"I am very happy to win this title, much more than when I won the Olympic gold because I have been sick this year and didn't expect it," Ayana commented on her victory in another world major event.

Her Ethiopian compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba finished runner-up with 31 minutes and 2.69 seconds. Kenyan Agnes Jebet Tirop ranked third with 31:03.50.

Moscow world titlist Andrius Gudzius of Lithuania claimed the men's discus throw title as the 26-year old won with a personal best throw of 69.21 meters. Sweden's Daniel Stahl was second with 69.19 and American Mason Finley took bronze with 68.03.

Rio Olympic silver medalist Luvo Manyonga of South Africa took his first world long jump title in 8.48m ahead of American Jarrion Lawson (8.44). Ruswahl Samaai, also from South Africa was third in 8.32.