He was denied a showdown with reigning world champion Justin Gatlin, but Christian Coleman continued to look every bit track's solution to the post-Usain Bolt era by winning his first national title.
Coleman, 23, swept to victory in the 100m at the US championships on Saturday, booking his place at this year's world championships with a commanding performance.
Two years ago in London, Gatlin edged Coleman in a 100m final that saw Bolt farewell a race he dominated for a decade with bronze.
The Atlanta native has been fastest since, clocking a season-leading 9.81 a month ago and comfortably outpacing Gatlin in the semifinals at this meet.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.Gatlin, already assured of his ticket to the world championships as the defending champ, elected to skip the final after clocking 10.16 in his semifinal.
That left the field clear for the stocky Coleman, who stormed out of the blocks and rapidly put clear daylight between himself and the rest of the field.
He backed up a scorching semi time of 9.96 with a 9.99 run in the final, leaving Michael Rodgers a distant second in 10.12 while Christopher Belcher was third.
Coleman will now head to the worlds in Doha as the man to beat in sprinting's blue riband event. "It feels great," Coleman said after the win. "The whole goal throughout the year was to make the team. The mission's not over.
"I came into the year wanting to win a gold medal in Doha, and this was just a step on the way to get there."
"It felt smooth. No complaints here," added Coleman, who's planning to also run the 200m. "I feel like I pretty much controlled it from the start."
Asked if he was bummed not to see 37-year-old Gatlin in the final, Coleman said: "Not really. I just wanted to make the team."
FASTEST 100M TIMES — 2019
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.9.81 — Christian Coleman (US), Palo Alto, California, June 30
9.86 — Noah Lyles (US), Shanghai, China, May 18
9.86 — Divine Oduduru (Nigeria), Austin, Texas, June 7
9.87 — Justin Gatlin (US), Palo Alto, California, June 30
