Gay runs fastest time this year in Rome

By Paul Virgo

ROME (Reuters) - Tyson Gay ran a world leading 9.77 seconds to win the 100 metres at Rome's Golden Gala on Friday and show Olympic champion Usain Bolt that he will not surrender his world sprint titles without a fight next month.

The American had to equal his personal best to see off Bolt's Jamaican compatriot and former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell, who ran 9.88 despite saying beforehand was not fully fit after suffering an ankle injury over two months ago.

Another Jamaican, Yohan Blake, came third with a time of 9.96 in the second attempt at the race after Daniel Bailey of Antigua false started.

Bolt is favourite to steal Gay's 100m and 200m crowns at the world championships in Berlin after winning the Olympic titles in both events in Beijing last year with world record times of 9.69 and 19.30 respectively.

But Gay's current form suggests he may give Bolt a run for his money after the American's Olympic campaign was hampered by a hamstring injury.

Friday's win comes after he ran a wind-assisted 9.75 seconds in the 100m at the U.S. world championship trials last month and 19.58 in the 200m in May in New York, the third fastest ever.

"I've been learning how to refocus at the start (after false starts) and that's what I've done," Gay told Rai television.

"I don't know if it is a message to Bolt, it's not 9.69, but I'm pretty sure he knows I'm training and working hard."