Justin Gatlin ran the fastest 100-meter time in heats at the World Championships in Beijing on Saturday. Next up: an eagerly awaited showdown with Usain Bolt.
Gatlin, an American twice banned for doping, will try to dethrone Bolt in Sunday's final. He has 27 consecutive victories in the centerpiece sprinting event. He ran 9.83 seconds to ease to victory in Heat 6.
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Six-time Olympic gold medalist Bolt had an opportunity to respond in the next heat and was not at full speed. He edged Mike Rodgers in a time of 9.96 seconds.
Asafa Powell was also faster than his fellow Jamaican as he won the opening heat in 9.95 seconds. Tyson Gay (10.11), Femi Ogunode (9.99), Trayvon Bromell (9.91) and Jimmy Vicaut (9.92) were the other heat winners.
Bolt, who turned 29 on Friday, now faces Gatlin, 33, in a showdown at the Bird's Nest, site of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.