Usain Bolt is now the world's fastest man.
The Jamaican sprinter, who doesn't even consider the 100 meters his best race, set the world record Saturday night with a time of 9.72 seconds at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York, .02 seconds faster than the old record held by his countryman, Asafa Powell.
Bolt was using the 100 for "speed work" and to avoid having to run the more grueling 400, when, suddenly, he ran the world's second-fastest time a few weeks ago at 9.76.
Springing from the starting block and unfurling his lanky frame -- listed at 6-foot-4, but probably more like 6-5 and, either way, considered too tall for this kind of speed work -- he created a big-time gap between himself and Tyson Gay at about the halfway point, then routed him to the finish line.
Gay, the best sprinter in America, finished in 9.85.
"I wasn't really looking for a world record, but it was there for the taking," Bolt said.
GOLF
Goggin has three-shot lead at the Memorial
Mathew Goggin shot a one-under par 71 that was good enough to build a three-shot lead at the Memorial in Dublin, Ohio.
Goggin was at eight-under 208. Matt Kuchar, Justin Rose, Jerry Kelly, Mike Weir and Kenny Perry were second at 211.
Sophie Gustafson shot a 67 to push past a faltering Karrie Webb and take a six-stroke lead into the final round of the Ginn Tribute at Mount Pleasant, S.C. Annika Sorenstam continued to struggle with a 75.
Nick Price shot a five-under 66 and took a one-shot lead after the second round of the Principal Charity Classic at West Des Moines, Iowa.
Michelle Wie shot a two-under 70 in the third round of the Ladies German Open at Munich and fell seven strokes behind leader Amy Wang.
MOTOR SPORTS
Hamlin cruises to win in Nationwide event
Denny Hamlin made it nine victories for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Nationwide Series this season, leading all but 69 laps to win at Dover International Speedway in Delaware.
Carl Edwards, who started on the pole, was second. David Stremme was third and David Reutimann fourth.
Larry Dixon, Tony Bartone, and Dave Connolly had their first-day times stand up at the O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals in Topeka, Kan., and will head into the elimination rounds as the top qualifiers in their categories.
Travis Thirkettle of Newhall held off the challenge of Nick Joanides during the final 17 laps to win the NASCAR ACDelco Super Late Model division 50-lap feature race at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale.
