Andre De Grasse wins bronze, Usain Bolt gold in 100m at worlds

Canadian sprint sensation finishes in tie for 3rd at first world championships

Aug 23, 2015 2:33 PM ETJesse Campigotto, CBC Sports

Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse continued his meteoric rise by winning a surprising bronze medal in the men's 100 metres Sunday in Beijing, while Usain Bolt claimed another world title and vanquished rival Justin Gatlin.

Bolt ran 9.79 seconds to edge Gatlin (9.80), who many believed would unseat Bolt as the world champion after the Jamaican star struggled for much of the season while the American ran the world's best times.

That storyline persisted right up until just two hours before this final, as Bolt stumbled to a 9.96 in the semifinals, matching De Grasse atop the heat, while Gatlin blazed to a 9.77. 

But, as usual, the two-time and reigning Olympic 100m champ saved his best race of the season for when it mattered most, winning his third 100m world title and second in a row.

"A lot of people counted me out. So for me to come and win, this is a big deal," Bolt, 29, said after his latest triumph at the Bird's Nest stadium where he became a star by dominating the sprint events at the 2008 Olympics.

De Grasse, only 20 years old and competing in his first world championships, shared the bronze with American Trayvon Bromell in a photo finish that saw both men run 9.92, a personal best for the Canadian.

It's Canada's first medal in the 100 at worlds since Bruny Surin's silver in 1999 in Seville.

"I didn't know you could actually tie for a bronze medal, so I didn't know if they were going to give it to Bromell or me," De Grasse said. "I'm really happy for him, and I'm proud of myself. To race against these guys and make the final, I couldn't end the season any better than that."

Despite drawing the disadvantageous Lane 9 for the nine-man final, De Grasse said he was emboldened after matching Bolt in the semis.

"I had a lot of confidence after the semifinals, seeing myself that close to Bolt, that boosted my confidence a lot for the finals," De Grasse said. "My coach [Caryl Smith-Gilbert] told me 'This is your chance right now to go get a medal, and just go with them.' I'll go with them, they'll take me with them."

Grand Kadooment Sweet Fuh Days Again!

Beautiful costumed bands, sweet music and a few showers made it another grand Kadooment! Songs like When Tomorrow Comes by Don Trent, Gym Instructor by Lil Rick, All Inclusive by IWeb , Party of the Year and No Worries by Edwin, and even Maintenance Man (Garden) by Stiffy and Choose One by Cooper Dan and Madd were heard many times on the parade route from the National Stadium to Spring Garden. However, All Ah We by Peter Ram was awarded Tune of De Crop, with second place going to Mash Up When We Touch Down by King Bubba FM, and Spontaneous by Red Plastic Bag coming in third position! So the Road March Winner Peter Ram received $7,500, King Bubba got $5,000, and R.P.B. the $2,000 in prize money.

Veteran band leader Betty West chalked up her fifth Large Band Of The Year title in her 24-year career for Positive Vibes at the Republic Bank Grand Kadooment yesterday.

She beat Laura Galt’s Lucky Horseshoe Jump Promotions Wet Ya Whistle into second, while Krave The Band’s Wild Wild West by Avery Hackett placed third.

West also won six other first places in her haul of nine prizes.

Outraje Festival Band won Best Small Band(less than 300 revellers).

It's a first for Classic at Crop Over Festival!

 Lil Rick has some sweet soca songs! One that applies to me presently is Hit After Hit since it is fete after fete after fete after touching down at Grantley Adams Airport just over a week ago and attending Soca Royale at Bushy Park, St. Philip! Several events during the week including Pic O De Crop Calypso Monarch Finals at Kensington Oval, St. Michael on Friday night were top notch. Yesterday it was two more hot fetes: The Big Show at Sea Rocks Dome on Maxwell Coast Rd., and One Love Cohoblopot at the Oval!
This morning I'm recuperating and watching Walk Holy Band start the parade just after 9 o'clock for Kadooment Day. Walk Holy presented at the National stadium with Blood singing his own new song Giving Thanks! I'll head down to Spring Garden after noon if you please. Right now I'll just watch the beautiful costumed revellers on CBC TV.
By now you may have heard that CLASSIC won the Calypso Monarch Competition last Friday night! The audience seemed pleased with his taking away  a car, a vacation at Divi Southwinds Hotel, and other prizes as part of his winning. Four points behind him was DONELLA, and two points behind her was COLIN SPENCER. HEE HAW placed fourth and ADRIAN CLARKE came in at fifth position!
As I close off I am watching Blue Boxcart band parading and Peter Ram singing All Ah We, the most likely Tune of De Crop (Road March) winner. Oh oh, Baje International is coming down now as the first band that will be judged; their band is named Fly. They are dancing to RPB's very melodic Spontaneous right now.
Tomorrow the Lil Rick song that will be applicable to me will be Gym Instructor! It is one of the sweetist songs of the this Festival! Continue to enjoy your summer despite any major challenges.
Peace!!