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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, August 21, 2009

Bolt runs record 19.19 in 200


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Usain Bolt

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BERLIN — Teeth clenched, Usain Bolt grimaced as he churned toward the finish line, hoping to coax a fraction more out of his 6-foot-5 frame.

The big, yellow numbers flashing another world record time told the Jamaican sprinter he had gotten what he wanted out of the 200 meters yesterday at the world championships.

Beyond the mark of 19.19 seconds, though, was something else — the fact that he is altering his sport.

For the second straight race — five in a row, if his record-breaking runs at the Beijing Olympics are counted — Bolt's biggest competitor was the clock. He bettered his old world record by a whopping .11 seconds, the same margin he shaved off the 100 four days earlier, when he finished in 9.58.

"I'm on my way to being a legend," Bolt said, without a trace of arrogance.

Alonso Edward of Panama was second, 0.62 seconds behind.

"He's a gift to this earth," said American sprinter Shawn Crawford, who finished fourth.

Trey Hardee amassed 8,790 points to win the decathlon, edging Leonel Suarez (8,640) of Cuba. He joins fellow Americans Dan O'Brien, Tom Pappas and Bryan Clay as decathlon winners at the world championships.

Clay, a Castle High alum and the 2008 Olympic champion, did not compete here because of injury.

"Tonight, I will sleep," Hardee said. "Party time will come when I'm back in Austin, Texas."