American Felix retains 200m title in style

OSAKA, Japan, Aug 31 (Reuters) American Allyson Felix defended her 200 metres title in style today, surging down the home straight to win gold in the best time of the year.

Felix, the youngest athlete to claim a sprint world title when she won as a 19-year-old in Helsinki two years ago, dashed across the line in 21.81 seconds to match Jamaican Marlene Ottey in winning back-to-back world championship 200m golds.

World 100m and Olympic 200m champion Veronica Campbell looked to be in with a chance of a sprint double at the bend but Felix stormed past her and the Jamaican took silver in 22.34.

Sri Lanka's 31-year-old Susanthika Jayasinghe also finished strongly to snatch bronze from American Torri Edwards in 22.63 a decade after winning her last world championship medal by finishing second in Athens.

REUTERS TB RAI1915