World and Olympic gold medallist Jeremy Wariner underlined his dominance in the 400 metres with a crushing victory at the IAAF Japan Grand Prix.
OSAKA: World and Olympic gold medallist Jeremy Wariner underlined his dominance in the 400 metres with a crushing victory at the IAAF Japan Grand Prix on Saturday.
The American powered home in 44.02 seconds in Osaka then threatened to break Michael Johnson's world record of 43.18 at this year's world athletics championships at the same venue.
Johnson set his world record in 1999 but Wariner is on a fast-track to joining his fellow American among the greatest 400m runners in history.
"I'm right where I want to be," Wariner told Reuters.
"I think it's a possible goal to break the world record at the world championships in August."
The 23-year-old added: "The track was real fast. I was impressed with the way it was. I've never seen a surface like this in the States so I can't wait to come back."
Darold Williamson trailed Wariner home in second in 44.68 with Australia's Sean Wroe third in 45.58.
China's Olympic champion Liu Xiang eased to victory in his first overseas race of the year as he won the the men's 110 metres hurdles in 13.14, well outside his world record of 12.88.
"I'm confident I can come back to Osaka and win the world title later this year," Liu said.
"I've won four times in Osaka. It's a lucky place for me."
Liu's compatriot Shi Dongpeng finished second in 13.24 with Japan's Tasuku Tanonaka third in 13.59.
Williams Shock: There was a surprise in the women's 100 metres when world champion Lauryn Williams was beaten by Cydonie Mothersill of the Cayman Islands.
Mothersill blew past the American at the 60-metre mark to clock a winning time of 11.33 with Williams, who also took silver at the 2004 Olympics, crossing the line in 11.44.
Japan's Shingo Suetsugu took advantage of former Olympic champion Maurice Greene's late pullout to win the men's 100m in 10.23.
World champion Bershawn Jackson surged to victory in the men's 400m hurdles in 48.13 ahead of American rival James Carter despite tweaking a hamstring on the third hurdle.
Carter clocked 48.22 with Japan's Dai Tamesue third in 48.73 in a repeat of the result at the 2005 world championships in Helsinki.
"I tried to back up a little bit to see if the hamstring would loosen up," said Jackson.
"Heart got me through. I just wanted to win."
This year's world championships take place at Osaka's Nagai Stadium from August 25 to September 2.
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