Tyson Gay and Usain Bolt gave a foretaste of the treats in store as both men dominated their heats and, each in their inimitable ways, set the fastest times of the round.
While Bolt appeared more interested in what was going around him, the World 100m champion was a picture of concentration apart from one glance as he entered the straight.
Bolt on the other hand looked around no fewer than 15 times, 14 of those at US number two Wallace Spearmon to his left and once to his right.
The Jamaican’s final 50m were no more than a trot and though he clocked 20.13 to Gay’s 20.08, both men had plenty in reserve.
The third medal candidate, Spearmon, was equally relaxed, setting the fifth fastest time of the round, but with plenty in reserve.
Third in the US trials, Rodney Martin won the first heat in 20.25. Brendan Christian of the Antilles ran a great bend, but in the outside lane Zimbabean Brian Dzingai led into the straight.
Martin hauled him in, relaxing as he crossed the line. Dzingai was rewarded with a season’s best 20.28.
Christian was third while Jamaica’s 2001 World silver medallist, Christopher Williams, claimed the fourth qualifying spot.
In heat 2, Bolt unfurled his long 1.96m-frame out of the blocks and the race was over. Aided by being drawn in lane seven, he entered the straight well up on 2005 silver medallist Wallace Spearmon who was chewing on his necklace in much the same way the Jamaican used to.
The American was clear in second with Churandy Martin (AHO) and Canada’s Bryan Barnett going also going through.
Also drawn in lane seven, Gay’s riposte in heat 3 was 20.08. Running a more controlled race, he only looked round once.
Inside him Jamaica’s Marvin Anderson set a PB20.13, an improvement of 0.17 over his best coming into these championships.
Francis Obikwelu of Portugal set a season’s best of 20.38 in third while Marcin Jedrusinksi also made it into the semis.
Ireland’s Paul Hession won heat four in 20.50, the slowest time of the four heats. Second was Greece’s Anastasios Gousis, who had reduced his PB by 0.32 in the morning round.
Kristof Beyens (BEL) and Australia’s Patrick Johnson will make up the last 16.
Osaka 2007 News Team/mb
