AP News, May 5th, 2007
World and Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner cruised to victory in the men's 400- meter race Saturday at the IAAF Japan Grand Prix.
The 23-year-old American was quick out the blocks and finished in 44.02 seconds at the warmup to the world championships here in August.
"I feel good and hopefully when the world championships start, I can go under 44 easily," Wariner said.
American Darold Williamson was second, finishing in 44.68, while Australia's Sean Wroe was third (45.58).
Olympic champion and world record-holder Liu Xiang of China won the men's 110 hurdles in 13.14 seconds for his fourth successive victory at Osaka.
"I was very satisfied with the result because it's the first outdoor race of the season," Liu said. "The time I ran was good."
Shi Dongpeng was second in 13.24, and Japan's Tasuku Tanonaka was third in 13.59.
Wariner, whose personal best is 43.62, has set his sights on breaking Michael Johnson's 400 world record of 43.18 at the world championships on a track that has been re-laid to make it quicker at Osaka.
The world record "is a possible goal," Wariner said. "I know the world championships will be a lot faster. The track was real fast. I was impressed with the way it was, so I can't wait to come back here with more competition."
World champion Bershawn Jackson defended the 400 hurdles title he won at his last meet here in 48.13 seconds, despite hurting his left hamstring while jumping the third hurdle.
"I tried to back up a little bit to see if it would loosen up," the American said. "Heart got me through. I just wanted to win."
American James Carter was second (48.22), and Japan's Dai Tamesue third (48.73).
Cydonie Mothersill of the Cayman Islands edged American Lauryn Williams in the women's 100 by 0.11 seconds, finishing in 11.33.
In a men's 100 weakened by the absence of Maurice Greene, who pulled out last week, Japan's Shingo Suetsugu won in 10.23 seconds. Australia's Joshua Ross was second in 10.37, and Japan's Nobuharu Asahara third in 10.38.
American Joshua J. Johnson won the men's 200 in 20.55.
