BREAKING: Usain Bolt stunned as Justin Gatlin beats him to World title (Video)

As a full moon rose over the London Stadium, Justin Gatlinbared his teeth – and shocked the world by defeating Usain Bolt in his final ever 100m race.

The controversial American, who turned 35 in February, was supposed to be too old and too slow.

Yet somehow he found the speed and composure to be crowned the best sprinter in the world.

When it was confirmed that Gatlin had won gold in 9.92sec – 0.02 clear of his fellow American Christian Coleman, who took silver, and Bolt who claimed bronze a further 0.01sec back, almost all of the 56,000 people in the stadium booed in disgust.

A couple of years ago Gatlin described himself as “the Batman of the track – a vigilante. You may not like me, but I’m needed.” Given his previous doping bans few in the London Stadium were celebrating the rising again of this self-styled Dark Knight.


Justin Gatlin, left, celebrates as he crosses the line marginally ahead of Christian Coleman, second from right, and Usain Bolt, right, to win the 100m at the London world championships. Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP

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Bolt’s reaction, however, showed the class of the man. The first thing he did was hug Gatlin. Then he told the crowd: “It is one of those things”, before describing their reaction to him as “wonderful”.

“I never expected this, as always,” he told them. “London, I really appreciate the support you gave me.” Despite the defeat he also did his traditional lap of honour, posing for selfies as if he had just claimed his 12th world title and not suffered one of the most painful defeats of his career.

VIDEO