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KAWASAKI. — American Justin Gatlin roared to a 100 metres victory in Japan yesterday, as track and field’s pantomime villain kicked off his preparations for this summer’s Rio Olympics. Floored by Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt in the 100m and 200m at last year’s world championships, two-time doping offender Gatlin clocked a time of 10.02 seconds into a slight head-wind in Kawasaki in his first test of the season.

“Definitely it’s given me motivation, but also it’s made me smarter and wiser,” Gatlin said, referring to his Beijing disappointment.

“Usually you can come with a strategy that can combat the whole field,” added the 34-year-old after finishing well clear of Japan’s Ryota Yamagata (10.21) and Ramon Gittens of Barbados (10.26), despite a sore right ankle. — AFP.