China's Su Bingtian and Wei Yongli emerged the fastest runners at the Asian athletics championships in Pune, western India, with emphatic wins in yesterday's 100-meter finals.

Su retained the men's title he won two years ago, finishing in 10.17 seconds which was slower than the 10.06 he ran at home in Beijing in May.

But his effort was enough to keep him ahead of Asian record-holder and favorite Samuel Francis of Qatar, who was second in 10.27.

Barakat al-Harthi of Oman picked up the bronze with a time of 10.30.

Su and Francis were the chief contenders for the title after Japan's teenage sensation Yoshihide Kiryu, who clocked a junior world record-equalling time of 10.01 in April, opted to skip the meet.

Wei cruised to victory in the women's 100 final, finishing the race in 11.29 after a false start had disqualified Komalam Shally of Malaysia.

Chisato Fukushima of Japan was second in 11.53, while Wei's compatriot Tao Yujia came in third at 11.63.

Meanwhile, Yousef Ahmed Masrahi of Saudi Arabia defended his men's 400 title in 45.08, with Ali Khamis of Bahrain taking the silver in 45.65.

Yuzo Kanemaru of Japan, who was expected to provide a tough challenge to Masrahi, finished third in 45.95.

China's Zhao Yanmin recorded a personal-best timing of 52.49 seconds to win the women's 400 title.

Gold medalists at the Asian meet are guaranteed a direct entry into next month's world championships in Moscow.

Related

• Su sets national record in sprint

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)